Virgin Australia Business Class - Meals, Menus & Service

[AIRwin]

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

You should submit a complaint...

 

[jase05]

You should submit a complaint...

Yep, most definitely.
In the last year or so I have only seen the magic rope not do it’s job and I complained immediately to the staff and it stopped

 

[JK1964]

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

Had the same issue on recent MEL to OOL flight and reason given was that the F&B cart was blocking access to the rear bathrooms.

 

[dk4]

Recent veggie option - some sort of pumpkin pie(?) with mixed vegetables on the side.

 

[dk4]

hey jakeseven7, thanks for all your negative emojis to my posts in this particular thread - I appreciate that you, and company, went through absolute cough when Virgin went through administration (and IMO Bain/Jayne should have identified that, and personally contact you, when rebuilding the business)! And I am very sympathetic, I know multiple people and employees with Ansett, who I am sure fared far worse

BUT... while Virgin has changed post-bankruptcy, their J/C meal service is still very good IMO, especially compared to Qantas lacklustre, swimming in sauce, economy-style offering domestically! That drink pictured above is a Scotch and cola BTW, something ONLY Virgin Australia has to offer domestically at the moment (and you can even buy one in economy, if you want).

IMO it appears Qantas is in absolute financial strife, given their cost cutting, delays to refunds, etc - Virgin, backed by Bain, is the only sure bet for my dollars!

That 1.5 hour scheduled service meal, was light years ahead of something similar on Qantas-2022! (And the price, without corporate discount, can't be beat)... plus, they still have "shelf-stable-pantry"! (Three of the people on board my flight declined the meal offering, and just wanted a drink - so while servicing "just" that drink, the FA also filled up a snack basket of pre-packaged food to offer each of those passengers! Qantas simple does NOT have the capacity to do that! Oliver Twist eat your heart out - "more please"!)

I can add a few more date points to that flight!
1. Beside the BP scanner at boarding checking eligibility for priority boarding, Virgin also had another employee, at the head of the line, yelling out eligibility (which is no mean feat, given all those that have access)... Qantas seems to not give a rat's about priority boarding, it's all talk and bluster, typical Qantas - all marketing with no follow-through or action from staff... good luck getting your wheelie bin into an overhead on Qantas if you don't brave the scrum!
2. Virgin seems to be moving away from jacket hanging. The old configuration was designed for it, but I noticed on that fight (with old configuration) a typical QF corporate seated nearby with jacket, who nested it on their lap the whole flight. (Moving to the MiQ seat hook is basic, but still better than the overhead bin IMO).
3. On that flight, the "QF corporate" grabbed their bags after me, as did those in the same row opposite - then all of us, except the QF-corporate, sat down again, clearing the aisle for others to collect their belongings - resting assured that exiting a VA B737 J wasn't going to be a bun-fight in J/C, because a FA would situate themselves between rows 2 & 3, and ensure the easy disembarkation for all business class passengers... (I acknowledge that the VA FAs often need to do a better job of chatting to those in row 3 who are detained/partitioned during this phase, as they are likely precious metal to the company.)
4. pre-departure drinks, booze and soft were served.
5... plus all the rest I can't think of at the moment.

Virgin's J/C cafe style meals are awesome so far!
(And IMO the move to now call a "toilet" a toilet, during onboard announcements in Australia, is important - especially given Jayne's accent.)

 

[MooTime]

hey jakeseven7, thanks for all your negative emojis to my posts in this particular thread - I appreciate that you, and company, went through absolute cough when Virgin went through administration (and IMO Bain/Jayne should have identified that, and personally contact you, when rebuilding the business)! And I am very sympathetic, I know multiple people and employees with Ansett, who I am sure fared far worse

BUT... while Virgin has changed post-bankruptcy, their J/C meal service is still very good IMO, especially compared to Qantas lacklustre, swimming in sauce, economy-style offering domestically! That drink pictured above is a Scotch and cola BTW, something ONLY Virgin Australia has to offer domestically at the moment (and you can even buy one in economy, if you want).

IMO it appears Qantas is in absolute financial strife, given their cost cutting, delays to refunds, etc - Virgin, backed by Bain, is the only sure bet for my dollars!

That 1.5 hour scheduled service meal, was light years ahead of something similar on Qantas-2022! (And the price, without corporate discount, can't be beat)... plus, they still have "shelf-stable-pantry"! (Three of the people on board my flight declined the meal offering, and just wanted a drink - so while servicing "just" that drink, the FA also filled up a snack basket of pre-packaged food to offer each of those passengers! Qantas simple does NOT have the capacity to do that! Oliver Twist eat your heart out - "more please"!)

I can add a few more date points to that flight!
1. Beside the BP scanner at boarding checking eligibility for priority boarding, Virgin also had another employee, at the head of the line, yelling out eligibility (which is no mean feat, given all those that have access)... Qantas seems to not give a rat's about priority boarding, it's all talk and bluster, typical Qantas - all marketing with no follow-through or action from staff... good luck getting your wheelie bin into an overhead on Qantas if you don't brave the scrum!
2. Virgin seems to be moving away from jacket hanging. The old configuration was designed for it, but I noticed on that fight (with old configuration) a typical QF corporate seated nearby with jacket, who nested it on their lap the whole flight. (Moving to the MiQ seat hook is basic, but still better than the overhead bin IMO).
3. On that flight, the "QF corporate" grabbed their bags after me, as did those in the same row opposite - then all of us, except the QF-corporate, sat down again, clearing the aisle for others to collect their belongings - resting assured that exiting a VA B737 J wasn't going to be a bun-fight in J/C, because a FA would situate themselves between rows 2 & 3, and ensure the easy disembarkation for all business class passengers... (I acknowledge that the VA FAs often need to do a better job of chatting to those in row 3 who are detained/partitioned during this phase, as they are likely precious metal to the company.)
4. pre-departure drinks, booze and soft were served.
5... plus all the rest I can't think of at the moment.

Virgin's J/C cafe style meals are awesome so far!
(And IMO the move to now call a "toilet" a toilet, during onboard announcements in Australia, is important - especially given Jayne's accent.)

Nice post, like. Just returned from a J VA trip, all class, not a single issue & that's with 2 young children.
My last QF J was ordinary & that's being positive, was even on the A330.

You failed to mention the call centre of each, hellova difference. I'm just getting a refund from cancelled Fiji trip with QF today from mid November, my goodness!

Some are haters, simple as that, and Mr Jake is just not a fan of VA2 Bain as he refers it to. Does get tired I know.

 

[Harrison_133]

2. Virgin seems to be moving away from jacket hanging. The old configuration was designed for it, but I noticed on that fight (with old configuration) a typical QF corporate seated nearby with jacket, who nested it on their lap the whole flight. (Moving to the MiQ seat hook is basic, but still better than the overhead bin IMO).

I actually think this comes down to the crew, but it would still be interesting to know if they’re actively moving away from it. They’ve been pretty consistent on all my flights recently (from what I can remember observing). They were even hanging jackets for Platinums in Economy X just the other day.

4. pre-departure drinks, booze and soft were served.

Was on a flight not long ago and someone asked for a soft drink instead of the usual water or sparkling wine as a PDB. Cabin manager happily obliged, even with full J & Y cabins to prepare for takeoff. While not all would do this, it’s staggering VA can manage these small, yet notable gestures for their J pax, yet QF struggle to even produce a bottle of water.

Agree with the sentiments of your post. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the refreshed VA J experience so far. It seems they’ve hit a sweet spot there.

 

[ozstamps]

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.

Had that last week, and thought it was pretty zingy really.

I add HOT Chilli sauce to near everything at home, so am pretty immune to hot spices, but it occurred to me anyone used to bland meals would get a mild shock getting this if the only thing left on board.

This morning had some mind of forgettable mushroom and cheese wrap as the other meal choice was gone.

Never understand if they have all full biz cabin of 8 booked, why only 8 meals seem to be loaded. Must be endless times pax in row 2 are given a single option of something that they do not like?

A lot of Bizoids stumping up $800 would not be impressed by that.

 

[serfty]

Never understand if they have all full biz cabin of 8 booked, why only 8 meals seem to be loaded.

Cost! Qantas do it as well, but likely saving less as their domestic business offering is generally poorer.

A lot of Bizoids stumping up $800 would not be impressed by that.

Not sure how many are paying $800, my last few business bookings have been in the $250-$300 range.

 

[ozstamps]

You clearly need to get out more.

This is for tomorrow, SYD-ADL my post was about - $769. Many routes will be higher I am sure.

My point remains .. offering someone paying this, a single meal they are not fond of is not wise.

 

[serfty]

You clearly need to get out more.

Who generally books the day before? Not me, and I'm sure not you.

In any case if you don't like it, book with QANTAS and get up to 12 meals available for 12 pax, no PDB and no spirits.

And pay $170 more...

 

[AIRwin]

Happy Valentine's Day!

 

[jase05]

You clearly need to get out more.

This is for tomorrow, SYD-ADL my post was about - $769. Many routes will be higher I am sure.

My point remains .. offering someone paying this, a single meal they are not fond of is not wise.

The other two ADL-SYD flights tomorrow are $399 but yeah that $769 is becoming a bit of a regular occurrence on this route

 

[ozstamps]

A week out they are also $769. Too busy with living a life to check further out to demonstrate the real world, but as you say, it is clearly not uncommon.

 

[AIRwin]

A week out they are also $769. Too busy with living a life to check further out to demonstrate the real world, but as you say, it is clearly not uncommon.

Same story with everyone else too busy living their own lives

 

[AIRwin]

In any case if you don't like it, book with QANTAS and get up to 12 meals available for 12 pax, no PDB and no spirits.

Or peanuts:

No Catering - Domestic J

Hi All I had an unpleasant experience on Friday (11/02) on QF 486 (A330) in J class. We were in Melbourne for my wife's 30th, i bid and landed a successful upgrade bid for our flight back to Sydney. Wouldn't usually bid for such a short flight but was a low price and special occasion and been...

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

 

[servicerequired]

J = Jayne's absolute on point domestic Business offering.

 

[dk4]

The burrito is back...


As presented on the tray for a 1.5hr scheduled (afternoon) service.
(i.e. with cheese & crackers)

 

[jase05]

The burrito is back...
View attachment 271147

As presented on the tray for a 1.5hr scheduled (afternoon) service.
(i.e. with cheese & crackers)
View attachment 271148

I love the burrito!
Got a couple of flights next week and hope I come across it

 

[servicerequired]

VA continuing to nail J catering - bacon and egg quesadilla for breakfast en route to OOL today - 10 points.