Virgin Australia Business Class - Meals, Menus & Service

[AIRwin]

In that case I think I'm gonna start opting for row 1 instead of row 2. It's super annoying not getting a choice of meals, the difference in leg room is pretty negligible to me anyway.

But hand luggage will need to be stowed in overhead compartment...

 

[jase05]

Nope, status doesn't come into play when the orders are taken. It's pretty much 1A through to 2F.

I was told differently but happy to be corrected.
Quite regularly we get served in Row 2 before Row 1 which is why I queried it

 

[Harthagan]

But hand luggage will need to be stowed in overhead compartment...

Only ever have a light laptop bag. Laptop converts into a tablet which is ideal for use during takeoff and landing.

 

[The Flying Brick]

While this is generally the case, a couple of years ago out of MEL, I was surprised to find those in 2DF having their orders taken before those in 1AC (me, WP) were taken next.

I had seen the 2D PAX come out of the Club exit on the way to boarding from the Southern Pier.

As a Club member since it started in 2013 I can tell you that status does come into play when ordering meals and even though I was in 2F for my Wednesday CNS-MEL flight, I got to have first choice off the menu - a chicken cacciatore with some rather nice Katnook chardonnay

 

[twinaisle]

Huh? What's wrong with a hot option? I'd generally expect a hot option flying business, even on shorter routes.

That toastie looks good though size could be a problem if it were a longer route.

Nothing's wrong with it. Crew just have time constraints with the hot food delivery as it takes more time to dish it out than a cold dish.

Technically it's suppose to be a cold dish instead of a hot on a Melbourne to Canberra as per service flows.

 

[Mattg]

Nothing's wrong with it. Crew just have time constraints with the hot food delivery as it takes more time to dish it out than a cold dish.

Technically it's suppose to be a cold dish instead of a hot on a Melbourne to Canberra as per service flows.

My last few MEL-CBR flights have had only cold options so I was surprised to get a hot option. That flight is considered too short to even offer tea/coffee to pax in Y.

I believe the crew started heating the sandwiches before or shortly after takeoff, as I could already smell them before the seatbelt sign was switched off. (It was a nice aroma which was making me hungry!) The sandwich was served straight out of the oven as soon as it was finished being heated and came with a warning that the plate was very hot.

 

[jase05]

VA580 ADL-CBR
Options were the Mushroom and quinoa salad with chimmichurri or the Christmas special of Roast Turkey and Veg.
I’m pretty fussy with Turkey as I love it but when it’s dry it’s horrible. Well turns out it was cooked just perfectly and some excellent pieces of moist Turkey accompanied by roast potatoes, pumpkin, broccolini and gravy. Was a pretty. I e meal IMO. Staff were excellent and kept the wine and spirits flowing and also did a great job of protecting the J pax from the incursions of those at the back trying to sneak past the magic rope

 

[Scarlett]

VA580 ADL-CBR
Options were the Mushroom and quinoa salad with chimmichurri or the Christmas special of Roast Turkey and Veg.
I’m pretty fussy with Turkey as I love it but when it’s dry it’s horrible. Well turns out it was cooked just perfectly and some excellent pieces of moist Turkey accompanied by roast potatoes, pumpkin, broccolini and gravy. Was a pretty. I e meal IMO.

Had the same options ADL-CNS today and concur, the turkey was excellent!

Merry Xmas to all, especially the VA caterers today.

 

[MooTime]

Good reading posts above.

I'm semi regular J VA traveler for leisure & only ever seen food order taken in seat order. Never anything else like status etc.
Only my experience.

 

[dk4]

As a Club member since it started in 2013 I can tell you that status does come into play when ordering meals and even though I was in 2F for my Wednesday CNS-MEL flight, I got to have first choice off the menu...

I have seen out of order service a handfull of times, and was suspecting this to be the case. Club only, as I am platinum, and service reverted back to normal order after the "suspect" was served.

 

[bullerdude]

The only consistent observation I’ve made is that club/VIP members generally have their orders taken first in business.

As a Platinum, I’ve had all versions of service order - 1A to 2F, 2F to 1A, and status based. The most common is stating at 1A and the rarest is status based.

 

[Astro]

I was told differently but happy to be corrected.
Quite regularly we get served in Row 2 before Row 1 which is why I queried it

I've often been asked for my meal option when sitting in row 2 prior to the front row. I think status does come into play. Whether or not it's consistently done is another thing.

 

[jakeseven7]

VA580 ADL-CBR
Options were the Mushroom and quinoa salad with chimmichurri or the Christmas special of Roast Turkey and Veg.
I’m pretty fussy with Turkey as I love it but when it’s dry it’s horrible. Well turns out it was cooked just perfectly and some excellent pieces of moist Turkey accompanied by roast potatoes, pumpkin, broccolini and gravy. Was a pretty. I e meal IMO. Staff were excellent and kept the wine and spirits flowing and also did a great job of protecting the J pax from the incursions of those at the back trying to sneak past the magic rope

View attachment 267745

Did you order the packaged cheese from the Y menu?

 

[Harthagan]

Did you order the packaged cheese from the Y menu?

I've always gotten the cheese and crackers served along with the J meal, usually with a dessert as well.

 

[jase05]

Did you order the packaged cheese from the Y menu?

No, always get cheese and crackers with meal.

 

[jase05]

VA581 CBR-ADL
Vegetarian option of Mushroom and quinoa salad with chimmichurri or the meat option of Chicken and Mushroom Rigatoni. Went for the later and was a excellent meal and about the right size for a flight of just over a hour. Tender chicken, pasta cooked well and sauce not too rich. Accompanied with a vodka & lemonade.
Shout out to the staff of Kerry who is always great and Claire who was on her first day in J and was bubbly and amazing at her work.
After meal was cleared another round of spirits came out accompanied by a bowl of pretzels and nuts and as I was driving I stopped at 2x spirits and had a coffee which was accompanied by biscuits and a Lindt chocolate. PB at CBR strictly enforced despite only 1 line operating, PDB of sparkling wine served promptly and magic rope did its job as usual. Absolutely superb flight with the lack of WiFi probably the only thing missing (I didn’t need it tonight but some might have) As others have said it’s often the staff that make it great but at under $250 it’s also great value

 

[antycbr]

VA581 CBR-ADL
Vegetarian option of Mushroom and quinoa salad with chimmichurri or the meat option of Chicken and Mushroom Rigatoni. Went for the later and was a excellent meal and about the right size for a flight of just over a hour. Tender chicken, pasta cooked well and sauce not too rich. Accompanied with a vodka & lemonade.
Shout out to the staff of Kerry who is always great and Claire who was on her first day in J and was bubbly and amazing at her work.
After meal was cleared another round of spirits came out accompanied by a bowl of pretzels and nuts and as I was driving I stopped at 2x spirits and had a coffee which was accompanied by biscuits and a Lindt chocolate. PB at CBR strictly enforced despite only 1 line operating, PDB of sparkling wine served promptly and magic rope did its job as usual. Absolutely superb flight with the lack of WiFi probably the only thing missing (I didn’t need it tonight but some might have) As others have said it’s often the staff that make it great but at under $250 it’s also great value
View attachment 267949

Had the same chicken on MEL-SYD this evening VA891 29/12. The smell of the fresh basil dressing was fantastic.

 

[sven89]

VA242 ADL - MEL
19:40 28th Dec.
Partner had the same chicken dish as above, with penne rather than rigatoni.
I opted for the vegetarian mushroom dish, described as ‘baked mushroom with barley’, was very tasty. Both the mushroom and barley were well cooked: neither over-done and mushy or under-cooked and hard. Both served with a side of cheese and a small Lindt square (like for like with QF’s Lindt ball ‘dessert’). PDB offered and encouraged to hold on to the glass during takeoff to keep enjoying the drink, rather than need to down it quickly. J was 6/8, with service starting at 1A and moving through row 1 before row 2; all seemed to get their first preference. J-loo well policed, as was the rope when we had a lengthy wait for the ground staff to connect the bridge. For a $59 one-way ‘choice’ ticket, and a $50 upgrade bid, was great value! And was first time in the new ADL lounge, a huge improvement!

 

[ETW]

SYD-ADL 30DEC

Chicken Tagine + Cheese Tortellini

A huge improvement over the abysmal Tofu Bowl and average roast Turkey we got on the outbound on Xmas Eve - honestly that resembled what you’d get on the flag carrier of a developing nation.

Tagine wasn’t bad but the Tortellini was quite wonderful. I also really appreciated being served the whole bottle of scotch like an adult. No chocolate or treats unfortunately although the old bloke behind me asked if they had any chocolate cake and they managed to get him a wee muffin (I assume FOC)

 

[oz_ally]

Been meaning to post this for a while but was waiting for my daughter (and travel companion) to send through her food photo. We flew ROK-BNE on 30 November. Two choices were chicken something which I had and thankfully the other option was vegan for my daughter - Tofu Poke Bowl. It was her first time flying Business so I was so glad she didn't miss out on a meal if they both didn't suit.

My meal - I did have a mimosa as usual also. I have 2 x cheese & crackers because although daughter told them she was vegan they still gave her the cheese. It's all good as I often get what she can't have and I chuck it in my bag for laters.


Tofu Poke Bowl - I didn't get a chocolate with my meal but vegan missy did - that became mine anyway