Virgin Australia Business Class - Meals, Menus & Service

[anat0l]

I also don't think offering Pumpkin Soup with Chicken (as was the sole choice on one of my recent flights) is remotely vegetarian. I suppose they just don't add the separately packaged chicken if there's a vegetarian J pax.

Reminds me of my last coast to coast supper experience. The sole item available for supper was mushroom soup, optionally served with bacon.

I didn't have supper not because I don't like mushroom soup, simply my choice to skip the meal to get more sleep. When I woke up in the morning, I asked my seat mate how they found supper. They said it was OK but the mushroom soup was a bit thin for liking and not quite creamy.

It looked good (pic below), but just doesn't cut it when I was expecting a hot meal like we used to get.

I don't know... the mozza looks a bit broken up to me; not fantastic if not served fresh, but then again this is airline catering, and they are limited on how they can present these things. Hope it tasted alright, though even for a vegetarian I'd offer a bit more than what I can see there.

Dinner should at least be 1730 to 2030.

Sure as hell isn't on the other airline. At 1730h your choices would still be noodle salad, soup or cheese box.

When I asked this CSM why only one choice he told me it was due to being rushed on full flights with two choices. I asked him: "How often is J full and how can QF do it with 4 extra J seats in a 737?". No response...

"Our crews are nicer" ?

Dunno... help me out here...

I can't believe that the A330's have been refitted to "The Business" at great expense from what was a suitable product anyway, get amazing three course meals, and get everything that you could imagine on a proper long haul 9+ hour flight for a 4 hour trek to or from Perth, when the 737/E190 product is being cut back, service is marginal at best, and has had poor seats from day one.

They have to kill the competition on something, and considering the new Business seats are also coming onto the 777s they will have that as well. I guess something had to give, but hey, you are winning in another market, so that's a net OK, right?

No wonder they are borrowing cash from the owners. They are going backwards badly.

I'd argue more they are getting the cash to try and have a more comfortable position to go forth with further capital projects, and their backers are thinking the same thing.

 

[Milefest]

I guess you mean omnivore, by definition Carnivores only eat meat.

You could put it that way, I've always referred to a carnivore as someone who isn't a vegetarian.

Reminds me of my last coast to coast supper experience. The sole item available for supper was mushroom soup, optionally served with bacon.

I didn't have supper not because I don't like mushroom soup, simply my choice to skip the meal to get more sleep. When I woke up in the morning, I asked my seat mate how they found supper. They said it was OK but the mushroom soup was a bit thin for liking and not quite creamy.

I'm pretty sure soup is always the only option for supper on VA. Normally their soups aren't that bad, it's just that you get sick of the soup offering because it's consistently a 'meal' option in the lounge.

 

[basso]

Reminds me of my last coast to coast supper experience. The sole item available for supper was mushroom soup, optionally served with bacon.

Presumably that is the red-eye. The supper option is pretty poor if you expect something more substantial. However, in my experience you do get a (continental) breakfast at the other end of the flight, so I guess they have just adjusted the way the service works on that flight - perhaps more people would prefer the breakfast service over a late night meal.

 

[anat0l]

Presumably that is the red-eye. The supper option is pretty poor if you expect something more substantial. However, in my experience you do get a (continental) breakfast at the other end of the flight, so I guess they have just adjusted the way the service works on that flight - perhaps more people would prefer the breakfast service over a late night meal.

You are correct - I guess I should have clarified "supper" (which may be confused with "dinner").

It is poor as it is, though it was not rather long ago that at least there was another option available, i.e. a toasted sandwich. Alright, one might argue that's not much of an improvement.

It does probably go back to the idea that there isn't much in the lounge provided in lieu of on board if you hadn't had anything to eat, e.g. the last time I was in that lounge, there was only some limp pasta on offer, plus the usual items, viz. some salad, toasties, etc. I guess one might argue you'd probably have a meal of some sorts even before arriving at the airport, and anyone else who had no time probably shouldn't have something substantial for health reasons (viz. the old advice that it's not good to eat too much before going to bed).


The research is likely accurate - more would rather a light meal (or none) then breakfast at the other end. Whether they are all happy with a continental breakfast rather than a full one is another argument.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Would you like to say why from purely a hard product prospective (excluding the in seat entertainment)?

Leg rest (none on VA). In seat power (very rare to find this on VA).

 

[Mattg]

When comparing QF 737 J to VA 737 J on the same short domestic sector, what hard product advantages does QF have? The last time I flew QF 737 J, the J seat was very 'used' and drop down screen entertainment was 'limited' at best. Some QF 737 have in seat entertainment which may be better, but I would take the guaranteed wireless entertainment over the possible drop down screens.

When comparing 737 J hard product, the best seat is row 3 on VA (in Y) because neither 737 J is worth paying/upgrading for.

I find QF's J (and Y) seats on the 737 are more comfortable. The BSI J product is great, but even the older QF cloth seats are reasonable for a short to medium flight. Both QF products also feature a leg rest, and there is a proper curtain separating Y and J.

Having said that, I do think the major differences are in the soft product.

 

[Aussie_flyer]

QF are stupidly doing away with the curtain on the 737 refurbs. I suggest people send negative feedback on same.

 

[bullerdude]

QF are stupidly doing away with the curtain on the 737 refurbs. I suggest people send negative feedback on same.

Noticed that on a recent 737 flight... almost makes the J cabin look like extra rows of seats, event less separated than the VA J cabin.

 

[smit0847]

QF are stupidly doing away with the curtain on the 737 refurbs. I suggest people send negative feedback on same.

I think this is a big mistake on the part of QF. Y pax don't need an extra toilet and it makes the J experience less premium

 

[anat0l]

I think this is a big mistake on the part of QF. Y pax don't need an extra toilet and it makes the J experience less premium

Think it matters little. I've seen Y pax cross the barrier (curtain or magnetic rope) to use the J lavs, with no push backs from the crew, of either airline.

We've had this argument quite a few times before.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Finally a little cheer to report !!
Friend was served Bolly on the A330 Trans-con the other day :mrgreen:

 

[JessicaTam]

Finally a little cheer to report !!
Friend was served Bolly on the A330 Trans-con the other day :mrgreen:

And long may it reign!

 

[Plutonus]

Another day, another 'cheese plate' only option, OOL-SYD.

 

[danielt25]

Cns - BNE 12:40pm departure

 

[QLDOOL]

oh you got the service option.. how did you get that?
I had the pleasure of OOL- MEL Saturday 26th VA730. the CSS offered 'breakfast'... I had to ask what is on offer and expect an answer? Hang on cannot remember: maybe a quiche thing or the Muesli.. great options. I went for the orange juice only.. advised good choice. Oh yes what happened to the pre departure drink options.. sorry too busy talking to the ground staff about the bonus for working Xmas and easter. Hang on the captain wants to depart... ooh where is the CSS still chatting about working both public holidays.. Second in charge staff adivses time to go oh ok but still have stuff to talk about... oh ok we can go if they want... I will catch up later.

Once the breakfast is delivered the curtain remains in place and the CSS disappears to the rear of the aircraft... hang on a quick come back and cleaned up breakfast left overs.... Do you need anything else.. sorry don't have time I need to chat up the back. And we are left to wonder why do we pay for the Full service...





After checking the other passengers in J went behind the 'cutain'

 

[Fiches Mouser]

After checking the other passengers in J went behind the 'cutain'

This. I have had many flights with VA where the FA would 'loiter' in the front galley, checking every 5-10 mins to see if I or the other J pax need anything. Have had some great ones, and have always left feedback after a good experience.

On my most recent J trip, I had to go hunting up into the back galley to find my J FA. She was sitting down having a chat. Meanwhile up front, Y pax were using the J toilet like it was going out of business (or something like that :-|).

Food was okay though.

It just used to be so good! I remember having such great J flights, and it was actually worth upgrading or even paying sale J fares (never full fare though). Crew used to be wonderful! Now, the current product is total coughola.

 

[Princess Fiona]

This. I have had some flights with VA where they loiter in the front galley, checking every 5-10 mins to see if I need anything.

On my most recent J trip, I had to go hunting up into the back galley to find my J FA. She was sitting down having a chat. Meanwhile up front, Y pax were using the J toilet like it's no tomorrow.

Food was good though.

Wow!! Just wow
I have 4 VA flights this weekend and if this happens on any of them I'll send immediate feedback to the top.

 

[Fiches Mouser]

Wow!! Just wow
I have 4 VA flights this weekend and if this happens on any of them I'll send immediate feedback to the top.

I really should send feedback. It was pretty disappointing. But I know there are good eggs out there! There's one gem by the name of Nicola who worked a C2C flight in Oct last year. She had sass, wit and warmth – and kept my drink topped up!

The problem is I never see them again! I always seem to see the bad eggs again...

 

[anat0l]

Cns - BNE 12:40pm departure
...

How was it?

Meat colour looks like it's a bit like an army blanket and dry, but in principle looks delicious, if maybe a bit boring / elementary (but if the taste is good, who cares too much).


Is there any hint from the crew that they may be overworked? We can probably postulate that they should have no reason to be so, but what explains the drop off? Unless the EBAs are due for a review...

 

[Princess Fiona]

I really should send feedback. It was pretty disappointing. But I know there are good eggs out there! There's one gem by the name of Nicola who worked a C2C flight in Oct last year. She had sass, wit and warmth – and kept my drink topped up!

The problem is I never see them again! I always seem to see the bad eggs again...

Oooh !! That reminds me about the best VA FA I've ever had. She's MEL based and does the Trans-con J services. Helen is her name (I may be spelling it incorrectly, Greek ? maybe). I've flown several flights with her and VA should clone her. I once witnessed her literally tucking in an elderly couple who were on their first VA J flight to PER, late night connecting to JNB. Adorable stuff