Virgin Australia Business Class - Meals, Menus & Service

[pythonisman]

This green chicken curry was amazing. Served last week CBR-MEL. Other option was a Mediterranean Pasta salad.

Ah that's right, same alternate for my previous post. Was described as a "pumpkin pasta salad" I think - but it had strips of bacon or prosciutto on top - I saw this was served to a bloke in the front row who sent it back and asked for it without the meat.

 

[yohy?!]

2/1 BNE-SYD

Offered a choice of Barramundi or salad with either chicken or lamb (I think). Went the Barramundi which was rather nice, plenty of flavour and juices to soak up with the bread.
Washed down with cider which they allowed us to keep the cans with us for landing and a Lemon and Polenta cake which was delicious (nice touch to serve it in a little box so it could be kept for later)

Also offered snacks proactively and took some nuts, sadly too late in the game to try the Tom Yum soup - impressive list though.

 

[kevrosmith]

SYD-CNS dinner flight

Beef ribs with some mash. (I think that's what he said). Absolutely delicious. Really had to hold myself back from asking if there happened to be another spare one - I'm getting fat enough as it is.

 

[Noob]

I need to book another J flight clearly, they seem to have really lifted their game - looks like we are finally seeing the level of quality seen on transcon flights across the network.

The panty looks like a real winner, looks really good how they provide a menu.

 

[aaflyer]

I need to book another J flight clearly, they seem to have really lifted their game - looks like we are finally seeing the level of quality seen on transcon flights across the network.

They really have. It leaves Qantas in the dust in my oppinion

The panty looks like a real winner, looks really good how they provide a menu.

I'm not sure I want *that* kind of service from an airline, but each to their own

 

[kevrosmith]

I know there's another thread for QF, but to compare, here's two meals recently. Overall the QF food is nice, and it's edible, Virgin just has stepped up the game, whereas QF feels like it's gone a step back.

The veggies in this look miserable and the rice was crusted at the bottom onto the dish. The fish wasn't terribly huge.


When I heard what sounded like the same fish dish on my next flight, I thought I'd try the salad. Chicken with beans and pearl couscous, with a garlic aioli mayonnaise. It was pleasant enough.

I find there's not much to fault on the service with QF, the food is just letting it down recently.



After this meal, I was still a bit peckish. The CSM asked me if I'd like a snack from the bar. Initially I started thinking "Oh, there must be something new to compare with the Pantry on VA", and asked "oh, is there something other than the pretzels and cashew?", to which the reply was "I have the soy crisps as well...." . Fortunately, we did getting the Maggie Beer ice cream later.

 

[jpk]

The panty looks like a real winner, looks really good how they provide a menu.

I'm not sure I want *that* kind of service from an airline, but each to their own

That's the Ralph Fiennes Special

 

[KCMil]

They really have. It leaves Qantas in the dust in my oppinion

I'm not sure I want *that* kind of service from an airline, but each to their own

Don't be a spoil sport, it could finally really deliver on VA's statement to put the romance back into flying....

Comparing those photo's shows a clear difference. Three slices of fruit in a dish compared to the boxed dessert and a cheese plate. The QF bread is a slice from a loaf, and you only got half the slice with that hole in it. Compared to a silver serviced bread roll, and they now give you a choice of two types. A packet of butter as opposed to open presented butter, restaurant style. Now VA just need to get ALL their Crew to deliver a good service standard consistantly.

 

[Plutonus]

Now VA just need to get ALL their Crew to deliver a good service standard consistantly.

Yep! And retrain those who take 30 minutes to get the snack out on a 1 hour flight. I still don't understand how some CSMs can have it all done and dusted really quickly, even in full cabins, and others seemingly take forever.

 

[Eggsbenedict]

Yep! And retrain those who take 30 minutes to get the snack out on a 1 hour flight. I still don't understand how some CSMs can have it all done and dusted really quickly, even in full cabins, and others seemingly take forever.

The few times I have flown J lately the inconsistency of this has been almost unbearable. Hobart - Brisbane service down the back was COMPLETED before I was offered something let lone received anything then drink order was forgotten. Total 1.5 hours after take off before I had a meal and a drink.
Then you do Sydney - Brisbane meal and drink orders completed before take off and served before the seat belt sign has even come off.

 

[toowongman]

The few times I have flown J lately the inconsistency of this has been almost unbearable. Hobart - Brisbane service down the back was COMPLETED before I was offered something let lone received anything then drink order was forgotten. Total 1.5 hours after take off before I had a meal and a drink.
Then you do Sydney - Brisbane meal and drink orders completed before take off and served before the seat belt sign has even come off.

VA - consistently inconsistent! When boarding in J I have a habit of saying "oh it's great to sit down, so hungry can't wait for dinner/what you have for us" etc. Sends a nice polite message to the FA/CSM that they need to get it done.

 

[Eggsbenedict]

VA - consistently inconsistent! When boarding in J I have a habit of saying "oh it's great to sit down, so hungry can't wait for dinner/what you have for us" etc. Sends a nice polite message to the FA/CSM that they need to get it done.

I will give that a go, I have tried to get a drink order in for after take off. It has never ended me me getting a drink pre meal. Am I alone in thinking a quick drink service (with orders done before take) delivered before the meal service would be wonderful?

 

[toowongman]

I will give that a go, I have tried to get a drink order in for after take off. It has never ended me me getting a drink pre meal. Am I alone in thinking a quick drink service (with orders done before take) delivered before the meal service would be wonderful?

They can manage it even on small sectors like BNE-NTL in the E190, just depends on the crew.

 

[kevrosmith]

I will give that a go, I have tried to get a drink order in for after take off. It has never ended me me getting a drink pre meal. Am I alone in thinking a quick drink service (with orders done before take) delivered before the meal service would be wonderful?

Yeah, when ordering dinner, when it gets to the drinks, I often ask if they can bring out a scotch and coke while they make up the dinner and have the wine with the meal. The meal still often comes pretty quick though.

 

[strtrek]

flew business SYD-OOL RTN last week

is it normal not to be offered alcohol before take off, the choices were water or juice. I asked for a wine, and was knocked back.

the fruit platter up was quite sad, but i really enjoyed the Baramundi and an empty business cabin coming home felt like my own private jet.

 

[toowongman]

flew business SYD-OOL RTN last week

is it normal not to be offered alcohol before take off, the choices were water or juice. I asked for a wine, and was knocked back.

Could be wrong, but that's something to do with liquor licensing... only the A330/crew can offer alcohol as PDB on the ground.

 

[KCMil]

I do believe it is not regulatory restrictions, simply a case of if the CS / CC have the time to provide open bar service pre departure. As the juice / water is often seen pre poured waiting to be offered. I would suspect that the issue is the space they have to work in whilst boarding and trying to do multiple tasks. Remembering that the Ejet only has 3 crew and the 737 only four. I am nearly always accomodated with alcohol pre departure as I never ask when I see that they are busy. I also try to board very early so that they have time to get my drink to me.

 

[strtrek]

I do believe it is not regulatory restrictions, simply a case of if the CS / CC have the time to provide open bar service pre departure. As the juice / water is often seen pre poured waiting to be offered. I would suspect that the issue is the space they have to work in whilst boarding and trying to do multiple tasks. Remembering that the Ejet only has 3 crew and the 737 only four. I am nearly always accomodated with alcohol pre departure as I never ask when I see that they are busy. I also try to board very early so that they have time to get my drink to me.

thanks

full flight syd-ool so i understand that they are busy etc...but i was the only one in business coming back..and still they didnt offer anything apart from juice/water combo....oh well, i made up for it in the 54 min flight

 

[KCMil]

strtrek, then that is what I would call "ordinary" service. That is the 'hit and miss' I find most frustrating with VA.

 

[strtrek]

strtrek, then that is what I would call "ordinary" service. That is the 'hit and miss' I find most frustrating with VA.

at least after 1/2 a bottle of wine in an empty cabin i had the loo all to myself I love that little divider rope .....