Virgin Australia Business Class - Meals, Menus & Service

The Flying Brick said:
No they don’t always take Beyond orders first. But they most certainly used to.
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I am sure that would be a disappointing change for you, so it seems servicerequired might be suggesting a new service standard edict has been issued a few weeks back to zig-zag serve 1A-2F on all flights without deviation?
(Although, of course at VA we need to delineate between order taking process and order delivery process, as they may differ.)
 
dk4 said:
it seems servicerequired might be suggesting a new service standard edict has been issued a few weeks back to zig-zag serve 1A-2F on all flights without deviation?
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On SYD-MEL tonight, my order was taken first as a WP in 2A. Pattern was 2A-2F, 1F-1A.

Options were the Chicken Parma or Tortellini again. Both solid options, but a menu rotation can’t come soon enough IMO. I remember having the Parma as far back as Sept 2022. Time for something different.

Overall, another great flight in VA J.

Priority boarding - tick
PDB - tick
Jackets hung up - tick
Working entertainment - tick
Rope enforced - tick
On Time - tick

Top notch service from CM Angus. Addressed by name throughout. Drinks never stayed empty for long. Plentiful top ups. Snacks proactively offered.
 
dk4 said:
I am sure that would be a disappointing change for you, so it seems servicerequired might be suggesting a new service standard edict has been issued a few weeks back to zig-zag serve 1A-2F on all flights without deviation?
(Although, of course at VA we need to delineate between order taking process and order delivery process, as they may differ.)
Click to expand...
I think it’s actually been this way for the last 9 months or so.

No differentiation between WP / Club and regular Business even to the point of service going first to 1D/1F when myself and and a WP were seated in 1A / 1C.

The recognition from cabin crew that used to exist has pretty much gone from many, but not all flights.
 
My 2c as a incredibly infrequent VA flyer:

The last (and first) time I flew VA was a short hop from from MEL-SYD earlier this year.

I paid at the kiosk for an upgrade (from memory ~$200 on a work booked flex ticket, but as I'd never flown VA I thought I'd try it out), and I was seated in 1A. The CSM remarked that I was a last minute upgrade so my meal option might not be available and went on to take orders in a zig zag fashion based on what I assumed was status.

As a QF WP I find this interesting, because on all the QF flights I've been on, orders are always taken as 1ACDF working backwards, with very few exceptions I can recall. I always try to sit in row 1 where possible to ensure I get first pick of the meals.

I think it's good that VA does it this way as the perks of status are quite slim in general so it's always good to get a bit of a benefit, even if it ends up just being the luxury of choosing between chicken or beef!

FWIW I think I ended up having the green curry which wasn't bad! Had more flavour than some of the offerings I've had on QF. I think QF prioritises style over substance sometimes - the Pepe Saya cultured butter that people bang on about and the boutique chocolate is all well and good but I'd trade them for a flavoursome main any day.
 
The Flying Brick said:
I think it’s actually been this way for the last 9 months or so.

No differentiation between WP / Club and regular Business even to the point of service going first to 1D/1F when myself and and a WP were seated in 1A / 1C.
Click to expand...
Harrison_133 said:
On SYD-MEL tonight, my order was taken first as a WP in 2A. Pattern was 2A-2F, 1F-1A.
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This year, when in 2F, as a WP I have had my order taken first just over 50% of the time. At the end of last month in 1A, I had my order taken second after a Beyond (nee Club) in 2C had theirs taken first. (I have also sat in 2A before and seen the CM continue around in an anti-clockwise circle taking orders, starting with me, like Harrison_133.)
 
Today on VA336 meal orders/service went 1A/1C, 2D/2F, 2A/2C, 1D/1F.

I was in 1A so can’t be sure if there was any system to this arrangement but pretty certain there were no other Club members on board in J.
 
Just adding another couple of data points.

VA268 CBR - MEL 13/10
CM Jade, offered PDB juice, water or sparkling wine
Choices were: Open reuben sandwich (fresh) or Pearl couscous salad (wasn’t too hungry at the time so no pictures)

Orders taken and delivered: 1AC, 1DF, 2AC and 2DF

VA237 MEL – ADL 13/10
CM Matt, offered PDB juice, water or sparkling wine
Choices were: Chicken parmi or Cheese tortellini (took the parmi, but the greens seemed to be a bit sad and not that green)

Orders taken and delivered: 2AC, 1AC, 1DF and 2DF
Props to CM Matt, on the ball with refills, checking the cabin and offering drinks and snacks after the meal service.PXL_20231013_065229041.jpg
 
PER-SYD ON 552 had the choice of ‘Fruit Toast’ or ‘Sweet Potato Fritatta with maple bacon’

Went the frittata and it was actually really good, best Brekky I’ve had on a plane in a long time.
 
TraumaMonster said:
Just adding another couple of data points.



VA237 MEL – ADL 13/10
CM Matt, offered PDB juice, water or sparkling wine
Choices were: Chicken parmi or Cheese tortellini (took the parmi, but the greens seemed to be a bit sad and not that green)
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Oh yes… the broccoli. It’s either supposed to be ‘wilted’ or ‘charred’. Or both.

And sometimes you get one, or the other. Or both.

Always delicious though.
 
VA256 CBR-MEL
08:25 departure

Chia with fruit or banana bread

IMG_4214.jpeg

VA1368 MEL-LST and VA1373 LST-MEL both had the same menu options as @zig got. I tried both - the Rueben sandwich is much better when heated up but was served cold on this flight. And the salad, while fresh, was pretty bland.

IMG_4236.jpeg
IMG_4285.jpeg
 
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I think nearly everyone decided on the bento box. A few interesting tasting items but it was good. Not a fan of the miso soup.

The pork dumplings were fantastic. I'd have them again any time.

Service throughout the flight would rival any airline. Very cheerful, helpful, efficient, and not afraid to ask if a refill of my glass was wanted.

And my Velocity points and status credits appeared in my account soon after landing.

IMG_1339.jpegIMG_1341.jpegIMG_1344.jpeg
 
VA471 PER-BNE

2DF
2AC
1AB
2AC

Options were some vegetable grill thing that I missed the details on, and a spicy chicken with chat potatoes, hummus and flat bread side and chocolate brownie desert. Also the usual cheese and crackers came along for the ride.

IMG_3857.jpeg
I went for the chicken and it was fantastic. Brownie was dense and not too sweet (which I prefer), and the hummus surprised me as being v tasty too.

CM was super attentive the whole flight, PDBs and all that. Great flight!
 

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