Virgin Australia Business Class - Meals, Menus & Service

[esquire]

Looks more like an entree! Sure they didn't serve the lunch menu by mistake?

 

[KCMil]

It's actually the AM Snack meal with a fruit roll, though it can be misleading as it is served from 0830 on some routes.

 

[moa999]

Twas an 830 flight that I had assumed was Breakfast, partic as alternative was a Ham & Cheese croissant.
Very acceptable for a snack then,

 

[moa999]

And a PM Snack
The Luke Mangan Beef Pie with Tomato Relish (and an open top)
(Alternative was a pumpkin and fetta salad)

 

[Lowjhg]

Looks nice! it also seems they have started to use plates instead of casseroles for snack flights

 

[robd]

I'm confused with the meal times. Jnr#2 and I just did Mel-BNE at 2pm, which I thought may be a snack flight (?) I chose the meat pie with chutney, which also came with bread roll, and passionfruit dessert and Jnr had a salad (pumpkin, chickpea & feta I think), the roll and dessert. We then travelled on to Cairns at 4.40pm, which I also thought was a snack flight, but I was offered and chose the Shepherds Pie, with bread roll and dessert (Jnr just had a couple of cookies). Both flights were great, although the CSM on the first flight was a lot more attentive and personable than the male counterpart on the second flight.

We did the return flights today, the first CNS-BNE left at 12.45. I knew this was a lunch meal flight, and I took the Shepherds Pie whilst Jnr had the salad with Tofu, Asian vegetables and dressing. We both really enjoyed the dessert which was a white/milk chocolate tart. The last flight, BNE-MEL at 3.55pm was definitely a snack flight. Unlike the previous 3 flights, we were served from a trolley and the choices were a cheese platter or smoked trout salad. We both chose the cheese platter, and were disappointed with the offering. Obviously, one of the cheeses was of the blue variety, but what is the other supposed to be? It tasted like soap! It was also disappointing that the crew member disappeared down the back after the "snack" was served and I actually had to push the button to get my glass refilled after not sighting any crew for around half an hour.

I will be sending feedback to VA on both the positive and negative experiences of these flights.

In summary, 3 out of the 4 flights were really good, and it was only the final leg that let down the whole experience, which I put down to the service rather than the food.

 

[bullerdude]

I'm confused with the meal times. Jnr#2 and I just did Mel-BNE at 2pm, which I thought may be a snack flight (?) I chose the meat pie with chutney, which also came with bread roll, and passionfruit dessert and Jnr had a salad (pumpkin, chickpea & feta I think), the roll and dessert. We then travelled on to Cairns at 4.40pm, which I also thought was a snack flight, but I was offered and chose the Shepherds Pie, with bread roll and dessert (Jnr just had a couple of cookies). Both flights were great, although the CSM on the first flight was a lot more attentive and personable than the male counterpart on the second flight.

We did the return flights today, the first CNS-BNE left at 12.45. I knew this was a lunch meal flight, and I took the Shepherds Pie whilst Jnr had the salad with Tofu, Asian vegetables and dressing. We both really enjoyed the dessert which was a white/milk chocolate tart. The last flight, BNE-MEL at 3.55pm was definitely a snack flight. Unlike the previous 3 flights, we were served from a trolley and the choices were a cheese platter or smoked trout salad. We both chose the cheese platter, and were disappointed with the offering. Obviously, one of the cheeses was of the blue variety, but what is the other supposed to be? It tasted like soap! It was also disappointing that the crew member disappeared down the back after the "snack" was served and I actually had to push the button to get my glass refilled after not sighting any crew for around half an hour.

I will be sending feedback to VA on both the positive and negative experiences of these flights.

In summary, 3 out of the 4 flights were really good, and it was only the final leg that let down the whole experience, which I put down to the service rather than the food.

Well 3/4 flights being good is better then what many people were experiencing - its pleasing to hear that the first 3 flights were decent and relatively consistent. The last flights fits the well known 'bad' flight pattern almost to the letter - sending feedback is a good idea.

 

[Intra]

Just did BNE -> SYD on Dec 27th in J; This time they gave me a Galaxy to watch (Which for me had a poor selection...) and check-in actually gave me Priority tagging for my check-in (Which worked!)... Which is what I expected first time around when I flew in J afew months back! Nice flight, not sure why though we had 2 kids in J... Or how the Dad then got upgraded from Row 3 to J (Meals, Galaxy and all) on the spot :?

Had some sort of Pie for the meal; Which they didn't tell me was Spicy XD Had my water refilled quite afew times...

 

[serfty]

Evening flight SYD to MEL had coq au vin. (Note the pepper and salt sachets, not shakers)

It was ok ...

 

[Moopere]

What a shocker. HKT-PER 31/12, J, 737

Leaving at 2355, a choice of two reds or two whites, both pretty foul, no champers (new years eve for goodness sakes!!). A croissant for the snack with a gooey chocolate thing (which was good). I had to ask for cheese, which came from Y in a little packet. Woke up at about 5 for another croissant and some juice.

Good lord.

I doubt I'll pay for J on this flight again. The 737 seating is just atrocious in J, I can't imagine how it could be any worse in Y and after 6 hours its pretty annoying. Not that I didn't get a heads-up about this flight from others here - believe it folks, its a shocker.

[edit: oh, and its obviously been a while for me since I did DJ J on the 737, these galaxy tabs or whatever they are, loaded with rubbish. For goodness sakes - even those older digiplayer thingies were more entertaining]

 

[RWJ777]

What a shocker. HKT-PER 31/12, J, 737

Leaving at 2355, a choice of two reds or two whites, both pretty foul, no champers (new years eve for goodness sakes!!). A croissant for the snack with a gooey chocolate thing (which was good). I had to ask for cheese, which came from Y in a little packet. Woke up at about 5 for another croissant and some juice.

Good lord.

I doubt I'll pay for J on this flight again. The 737 seating is just atrocious in J, I can't imagine how it could be any worse in Y and after 6 hours its pretty annoying. Not that I didn't get a heads-up about this flight from others here - believe it folks, its a shocker.

[edit: oh, and its obviously been a while for me since I did DJ J on the 737, these galaxy tabs or whatever they are, loaded with rubbish. For goodness sakes - even those older digiplayer thingies were more entertaining]

Could not agree more -- on all fronts.

I did DPS-SYD in DJ J and was so disappointed. The dinner was a pumpkin soup with the most ordinary wine. The breakfast was a frittata thing with pre-sliced sausage covered in some translucent sludge. No word of a lie, I almost threw up on first bite and could not eat it. The croissant was ok but certainly unremarkable as was the fruit salad.

Notwithstanding all the pretensions, it felt like a very LCC premium economy experience.

 

[MadFairlane]

Ugh, my seatmap just got swapped in for the old ex-emirates bird for my Mel-Per in a week or so.

Bugger.

 

[mannej]

Ugh, my seatmap just got swapped in for the old ex-emirates bird for my Mel-Per in a week or so.

Bugger.

There is still time!

 

[smit0847]

What a shocker. HKT-PER 31/12, J, 737

Leaving at 2355, a choice of two reds or two whites, both pretty foul, no champers (new years eve for goodness sakes!!). A croissant for the snack with a gooey chocolate thing (which was good). I had to ask for cheese, which came from Y in a little packet. Woke up at about 5 for another croissant and some juice.

Good lord.

I doubt I'll pay for J on this flight again. The 737 seating is just atrocious in J, I can't imagine how it could be any worse in Y and after 6 hours its pretty annoying. Not that I didn't get a heads-up about this flight from others here - believe it folks, its a shocker.

[edit: oh, and its obviously been a while for me since I did DJ J on the 737, these galaxy tabs or whatever they are, loaded with rubbish. For goodness sakes - even those older digiplayer thingies were more entertaining]

The VA J to HKT and DPS has been explained and complained about many, many times on this site. I think the only routes that are complained about more is QF SYD-HNL.

A little bit of research would have gone a long way - I dont fly QF but know from this site to avoid HNL....

 

[Moopere]

The VA J to HKT and DPS has been explained and complained about many, many times on this site. I think the only routes that are complained about more is QF SYD-HNL.

A little bit of research would have gone a long way - I dont fly QF but know from this site to avoid HNL....

Yes, I know about it. I had already booked before reading some of the pretty recent feedback. There is a problem that persists though with flight timings BKK-PER which means that timing wise, the BKK-HKT-PER route is favourable, even though the flight is horrible. I'll be forced to use this service again, but I don't think I'll bother with J next time.

 

[AviatorPJ]

Yes, I know about it. I had already booked before reading some of the pretty recent feedback. There is a problem that persists though with flight timings BKK-PER which means that timing wise, the BKK-HKT-PER route is favourable, even though the flight is horrible. I'll be forced to use this service again, but I don't think I'll bother with J next time.

You wont miss much either, in terms of business class catering and service in the HKT Thai Royal Silk lounge that DJ uses for J passengers and DJ Golds and Plats on the DJ PE- HKT flight

 

[JohnPhelan]

I did HKT-BNE a few years ago, when Virgin was operating the 777 on the route. It was excellent - aircraft, food, service. And the aircraft was full, so I'm not sure about the claims that Virgin was losing money on the route. Perhaps they just needed to charge a bit more ...........

 

[Ansettaddict123]

I did HKT-BNE a few years ago, when Virgin was operating the 777 on the route. It was excellent - aircraft, food, service. And the aircraft was full, so I'm not sure about the claims that Virgin was losing money on the route. Perhaps they just needed to charge a bit more ...........

As you alluded to yields would have been the issue, a full plane means nothing if a pittance is being charged for the seats. Would be interesting to see if VA would re-enter the market with A332 services in the future however, with the aircraft being better suited to the route than the 77W.

 

[RWJ777]

I did HKT-BNE a few years ago, when Virgin was operating the 777 on the route. It was excellent - aircraft, food, service. And the aircraft was full, so I'm not sure about the claims that Virgin was losing money on the route. Perhaps they just needed to charge a bit more ...........

I did a DJ flight in J between SYD and PER on an A320 and it was absolutely terrific. Could not have been more pleased. That's why I was so disappointed on the DPS-SYD flight being served muck. And vomit-inducing muck it was. Literally.

 

[DeKa]

I did a DJ flight in J between SYD and PER on an A320 and it was absolutely terrific.

A330 it would have been.