Virgin Australia Business Class - Meals, Menus & Service

[Sprucegoose]

They haven't changed menus, it's more likely different meal cycles

Different cycles will reflect from different ports of departure.

I.e

MEL C1
SYD C2
BNE C3


if a flight is double catered from whatever port then the meals will reflect from the first catered port.

You could have a flight double catered ex SYD to do a MEL return so the flight from MEL-SYD will have SYD C2 instead of MEL C1

Yes makes sense; your insight is prescient.

The inbound flight was from PER, so if the flight was loaded in BNE, I haven't had that meal previously ex BNE.

 

[twinaisle]

Yes makes sense; your insight is prescient.

The inbound flight was from PER, so if the flight was loaded in BNE, I haven't had that meal previously ex BNE.

All flights to and from Perth are single catered.

The meals from Perth are different from the east coast meals as they are a separate caterer!

You will not find the meals ex PER on any other routes!

 

[Sprucegoose]

he meals from Perth are different from the east coast meals as they are a separate caterer

Everything about the West is different.

I would have thought the airline set the menu, and it is contracted/delivered/produced/executed by the (local)
caterer. A good example is a standard that SQ produces globally - or used to be.

 

[bullerdude]

Presentation of J meals is consistently better on VA compared to Qantas currently and often more appetising.

Not saying Qantas meals are necessarily that bad / more than VA is just doing a better job.

 

[BRIS_VA_HAWK]

VA932 BNE-SYD this morning. 15 late courtesy of late inbound from SYD.
PDB options of OJ or water on offer, graciously accepted by myself and Mrs Hawk.
Breakfast options were Ham & Cheese Croque Monsieur or Poached Egg Quesadilla with Salsa. Both myself and Mrs Hawk took the Croque with Sparkling water and pastry on the side. No cheese and bikkies offered though.
Orders taken 1AC - 1DF - 2AC - 2DF. 2D had to take the quesadilla as everyone else had the croque and 2F ended up with chip packets as there wasn't a vegan option.
Nice amount of cheese on top but needed a bit more grilling for my liking though.
Service was friendly (as expected) with top ups offered mid-flight.
Heading back on an evening flight in the New Year, so will be interested to see what's on offer then.

 

[Sprucegoose]

VA932 BNE-SYD this morning. 15 late courtesy of late inbound from SYD.
PDB options of OJ or water on offer, graciously accepted by myself and Mrs Hawk.
Breakfast options were Ham & Cheese Croque Monsieur or Poached Egg Quesadilla with Salsa. Both myself and Mrs Hawk took the Croque with Sparkling water and pastry on the side. No cheese and bikkies offered though.
Orders taken 1AC - 1DF - 2AC - 2DF. 2D had to take the quesadilla as everyone else had the croque and 2F ended up with chip packets as there wasn't a vegan option.
Nice amount of cheese on top but needed a bit more grilling for my liking though.
Service was friendly (as expected) with top ups offered mid-flight.
Heading back on an evening flight in the New Year, so will be interested to see what's on offer then.View attachment 312729

A simple offering, does one require more? Not for me, but some I know would eat twice that in a foul swoop.....

 

[BRIS_VA_HAWK]

A simple offering, does one require more? Not for me, but some I know would eat twice that in a foul swoop.....

For me it was sufficient and considering that I'd eaten in the Lounge prior, it was perfectly fine.

 

[GDale]

Contributing in this thread for the first time! Flew MEL-ADL, ADL-DRW about a week ago and had the Thai chicken/truffled mac combo on offer for both legs (the ADL-DRW leg came with an extra dessert). No complaints about either choice really as both were very satisfying, but the Thai chicken was just a bit more memorable we felt.

Orders were taken 1AC, 2DF, 2AC, 1DF for the first flight, and 1DF, 2DF, 1AC, 2AC for the second flight (we were asked first on both flights, and both me and my travel companion are gold), but everyone got what they wanted in any case.

Service was excellent as usual with plenty of drinks top ups offered, though the CSM on the second leg forgot to put on the basil garnish for the Thai curry beforehand, so garnished some dishes after already serving them. Those who didn't want a hot meal were offered snack trays instead, but there was no snack basket for the rest of the cabin unfortunately!

MEL-ADL (yes my travel companion chose an OJ to go with the meal )



ADL-DRW

 

[RooFlyer]

Breakfast options were Ham & Cheese Croque Monsieur

Croque Monsieur OK for brekkie I guess, but not a fan in general.

but the Thai chicken was just a bit more memorable we felt.

Looks very good - nice fluffy rice . As with the other VA meals we've seen, its been plated, not poured.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I’m sure this was discussed upthread… but ‘where’s the beef’?? well… ‘truffle’ in the truffled macaroni?? I searched and searched!

 

[twinaisle]

I’m sure this was discussed upthread… but ‘where’s the beef’?? well… ‘truffle’ in the truffled macaroni?? I searched and searched!

Truffle oil

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Truffle oil

Oh!

I've had home brand olive oil with more flavour!!

 

[mitchd]

Maybe it’s oil from the Truffle region of France

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Maybe it’s oil from the Truffle region of France

Or the pasta was prepared ‘in the same kitchen in which truffle oil is stored’?

Gonna try the mediterranean salad next time

 

[TheRealTMA]

Maybe it’s oil from the Truffle region of France

Most unlikely. Truffle oil is manufactured aromatic compounds including 2,4-dithiapentane. Only accept real shaved truffles. When you enter a restaurant you can smell if they are using this rubbish. Leave immediately!

Avoid it like the plague!

”Anthony Bourdain said, "Let it be stated here, unto forever and eternity, truffle oil is not food."[11] He is also known for describing it as the "tomato ketchup of the middle class".

 

[Denali]

Sun 1st Jan 430pm, Launceston to Sydney and it was either chicken parmi with a pumpkin mash or three cheese tortellini.

Hubby had chicken parmi the night before and said the VA meal was better, the chicken was moist. Pasta was also good but again, no bread roll. Don't give me a meal with yummy sauce and no bread roll or is it byo rolls now?

Will say first time I've experienced a crew that was not a happy crew, no chatting among themselves and lack of attention but maybe they were tired. Thought they looked unhappy with each other, def a weird vibe.

 

[Sprucegoose]

HNY everyone I hope you celebrated well.

I have ten flights booked in Jan but sadly on VA 337 (MELBNE) they are still offering the Chicken Curry and Mac n Cheese.

How long do we need to wait VA?




I self garnished.

I'm thinking I could get to the semis on master chef I am that confident with the meal!

 

[TMP]

MEL-HBA this morning, STD 0840, delayed and ATD 0915.

PDB offered, water or orange juice. Choice for meal was either the dukkah eggs on turkish bread or the carrot cake muesli. Although more like a cold porridge and relatively small portion, the muesli was very tasty. Two cups of tea which I was glad for because due to the 55 min flight time, no hot drinks were offered in Y. Usual friendly service, nothing too special, orders taken 1A, C, D, F then in 2 D, F, A (7/8 J).

 

[servicerequired]

Sun 1st Jan 430pm, Launceston to Sydney and it was either chicken parmi with a pumpkin mash or three cheese tortellini.

Hubby had chicken parmi the night before and said the VA meal was better, the chicken was moist. Pasta was also good but again, no bread roll. Don't give me a meal with yummy sauce and no bread roll or is it byo rolls now?

Will say first time I've experienced a crew that was not a happy crew, no chatting among themselves and lack of attention but maybe they were tired. Thought they looked unhappy with each other, def a weird vibe.
View attachment 313518

View attachment 313519

I also had a grumpy crew, but on MCY - MEL last Thursday night ... well, I should say, only a grumpy J host.

 

[kerfuffle]

VA871 MEL-SYD last night was the aforementioned Thai Chicken Curry/Truffled Mac and Cheese. Business Class was only half full (orders taken 1A, 1D, myself in 2A and 2F), so everyone got their first options and one of the flight crew was later able to tuck into the curry after meal service had concluded.