Virgin Australia Business Class - Meals, Menus & Service

[MH_fan]

Another great meal on my SYD-CNS flight (VA1421) today. Had the "Spanish" chicken (not sure why they called it that). It was really tasty though. The chicken was moist, the mash was nice and the broccolini was crisp.
I've been quite impressed with my VA meals in J so far!

 

[bernardblack]

Flying SYD-MEL on Thursday, midday, I had the Cajun chicken with dirty rice that others have mentioned. I thought it was quite agreeable, if not especially spicy.

The veg option was a poke bowl with tofu etc. The dude next to me had that. He seemed not to mind it.

Sparkling wine and water were offered predeparture. The FA proactively topped up the chardonnay I ordered with lunch.

I boarded early because I was in J so I can't comment on what happened after that, but they certainly only invited J pax and status holders in the first instance.

 

[BRIS_VA_HAWK]

In all the rush back to work I forgot to post mine and Mrs Hawks' return to BNE on VA981 from SYD.
Arrived in the Lounge around 1730 for 1900 departure and whilst it was 1/4 full there were many tables uncleared and no sign of the contract staff who normally keep the Lounge sparkling. A bit disappointing as I've never seen a VA lounge so untidy!
981 was delayed on the inbound, however by the time it was called in the lounge and we'd walked down to Gate 34 they'd already completed PB and everyone was boarding.
80-odd on board, but once ensconced in Row 2 water and OJ were on offer.
Meal options were the chicken tagine and the tortellini - I had the tortellini plus a couple of glasses of Pinot, whilst Mrs Hawk had the Chicken.
Tortellini was nice, but minimal garnish compared to other photos, and Mrs Hawk thought they'd gone a bit light on the chicken.
Having said that, it was a nice meal and the service was good.

 

[TMP]

VA1318 this morning MEL-HBA 0940 departure. Water and juice offered as PDB. Was travelling with my partner for our anniversary and asked if a sparkling wine was available, and the excellent and friendly Jen obliged. Two choices were either the zucchini fritters with goats cheese, tomato and spinach (pictured, which we both had) or an apricot bircher muesli. Side was a small choc pastry. J was 8/8 full and we were the only two pax to have the meal offered. Y only about 30 according to another FA. Drinks topped up proactively and allowed to hold onto in a take away cup until landing. Another awesome VA experience. Back on Sunday, will update.

 

[TMP]

Back from HBA-MEL on Sunday VA1327, 1535 departure. Flight back fuller than on the way down in Y. J was 8/8 again. PDB offered - water, juice or sparkling wine. The two salad options were the chicken, cous cous and quinoa (which I had, pictured) or the tofu option. Pretty tasty for a snack and felt nice and healthy. The 5 pack of cheese and crackers were on offer G&T and coffee as well. Another great flight, even though it was only a short hop back. Great arrival into MEL over the peninsula and the CBD and three left hand turns for the relatively unusual landing to the east on rwy 09.

 

[henleybeach]

ADL - BNE 1240 departure
Chicken cacciatore pasta.
Beautiful dish this one.
PD sparkling accepted and constant refills throughout the flight.
Great service and food, well done.

 

[Tooner]

Flying SYD-MEL on Thursday, midday, I had the Cajun chicken with dirty rice that others have mentioned. I thought it was quite agreeable, if not especially spicy.

The veg option was a poke bowl with tofu etc. The dude next to me had that. He seemed not to mind it.

Sparkling wine and water were offered predeparture. The FA proactively topped up the chardonnay I ordered with lunch.

I boarded early because I was in J so I can't comment on what happened after that, but they certainly only invited J pax and status holders in the first instance.

Same menu Jan 11 MCY - SYD. FA didn’t like calling it Dirty Rice but it was all agreeable.

 

[MattA]

Same menu Jan 11 MCY - SYD. FA didn’t like calling it Dirty Rice but it was all agreeable.

Also offered the poke bowl or cajun chicken on MEL-MCY on Sunday arvo. Shared with the family so sampled a bit of both and thought they were both decent options. My oldest who normally isn’t at all keen on spicy food was quite happy with the cajun chicken, if that tells you anything about how spicy it isn’t… Good service from the crew with drinks proactively replenished throughout. All up a very agreeable flight. All seats taken in J and Y looked fairly busy too (checkin at MEL was heaving too). Also a celeb spot with ex-F1 driver Mark Webber sitting behind us in row 2. Overheard the FA telling him “the captain was very excited to have you on board today…”

 

[antycbr]

VA816 SYD-MEL 29JAN22

Quesadilla as one option, mushroom frittata as the other. Cabin crew in J was being trained so there were two CS on board.

 

[dk4]

I think people have talked about the Poke, but not pictured the Poke, so here are a couple:


1.5hr scheduled service (i.e. mains & cheese+crackers)


Tofu Poke again - close up

 

[Mattg]

I think people have talked about the Poke, but not pictured the Poke, so here are a couple:

View attachment 270142
1.5hr scheduled service (i.e. mains & cheese+crackers)

View attachment 270143
Tofu Poke again - close up

I think I would be happy with that! Love a poke bowl.

 

[openseat]

From my flight MEL - BNE, a pasta dish (4 cheese pasta?). At $290 it was a bargain as I had two 25kg and one 15kg luggage pieces to carry. I was seated in 2F and served last so I had no choice, as the orders were taken from 1A as usual. It was reasonable, though it needed seasoning that the included salt and pepper provided. Nice to have cheese with a red wine rather than a dessert.

 

[wannabeinvestmentbanker]

How was the red wine? Not as much chatter on actual wines served onboard v the equivalent QF thread

 

[openseat]

How was the red wine? Not as much chatter on actual wines served onboard v the equivalent QF thread

I wasn't shown the bottle, perhaps because of the passenger next to me. However it was perfectly fine drinking - nothing spectacular. I'd say a $15 bottle - but happy to be corrected by any oenologists!

 

[PlaneCrazy]

I wasn't shown the bottle, perhaps because of the passenger next to me. However it was perfectly fine drinking - nothing spectacular. I'd say a $15 bottle - but happy to be corrected by any oenologists!

From my (extensive) research most wines served on VA J are around that price point and seem to be largely unchanged since the reintroduction of the F&B onboard. I think virgin may have contracted the wine to Accolade.

 

[TMP]

Dinner service on VA867 last night MEL-SYD, 1700 departure. PDB offered. Choice of mains were the chicken tagine or the three cheese tortellini. I went the tagine and it was really tasty. Glass of Pinot and then the Shiraz to wash it all down. Not bad for a upgrade on the original choice fare, total cost $154.

Gotta be honest, looking over at the Qantas meals thread, even without a slice of bread and a Lindt ball, VA are absolutely smashing the competition meal-wise right now.

Only other interesting thing on this flight was it was the first flight I've been on where Y passengers into the front bathrooms was not enforced. A steady stream of people came forward throughout the flight.

 

[AIRwin]

Only other interesting thing on this flight was it was the first flight I've been on where Y passengers into the front bathrooms was not enforced. A steady stream of people came forward throughout the flight

Was it the aircraft with the new seats?

 

[TMP]

No, people were happy to remove the rope and step forward. I'd say the psychology of one person doing it without being sent back means others are happy to try.

 

[AIRwin]

No, people were happy to remove the rope and step forward. I'd say the psychology of one person doing it without being sent back means others are happy to try.

Sounds like it was after the business class meal service when the attendant was helping down at the back?

 

[TMP]

Sounds like it was after the business class meal service when the attendant was helping down at the back?

Nope, the FA was in the forward galley each time.