Virgin Australia Business Class - Meals, Menus & Service

[MooTime]

A lot of people seem to forget how much lower the business fares are at Virgin. Good on you mate.

Completely agree, I just thought looked bit cheap, but not complaining.
I'll keep flying VA J at their prices no problem whatsoever, plus their service.

I'll go to a restaurant if I want a top quality meal, ha.

 

[Must...Fly!]

Three cheese tortellini for dinner yesterday SYD-MEL. Again a good meal.

Second choice was chicken tagine with rice.



Yes that is OJ with dinner...early start at work the next day! The angels in the lounge really helped me out - arrived 1810. Was on the 1930, delayed til 2230 (and subsequently cancelled). Got the very last seat for the delayed 1800 which left around 1910. Very lucky and thankful!

 

[MH_fan]

Had the chicken tagine on my flight from HBA to SYD on Friday. It was tasty. The alternative was the cheese & pumpkin tortellini. No dessert though.

 

[antycbr]

Had the chicken tagine on my flight from HBA to SYD on Friday. It was tasty. The alternative was the cheese & pumpkin tortellini. No dessert though.
View attachment 268662

The sign of an experienced HBA traveller, the umbrella stowed in the magazine holder.

 

[zig]

Cajun chicken toastie with Swiss cheese. Alternative was the roast vegetable quiche which I had previously tried (posted up thread).
Chicken was a whole chicken thigh so I didn’t find it possible to pick up and eat as a sandwich - needed knife and fork. Fairly spicy, but not thoroughly heated.

 

[MH_fan]

Got the cajun chicken with rice for my SYD-HBA flight just now. Wasn't too bad but the chicken definitely needed a bit more kick!

 

[antycbr]

Got the cajun chicken with rice for my SYD-HBA flight just now. Wasn't too bad but the chicken definitely needed a bit more kick!

I suspect most spicy airline meals are dialled down - unless it’s full on book the cook SQ style where you go into your menu choice is known in advance.

 

[Harthagan]

Is there a set standard for which flights get dessert served with the meal and which don't? I'm assuming it based on distance or flight time.

 

[twinaisle]

Is there a set standard for which flights get dessert served with the meal and which don't? I'm assuming it based on distance or flight time.

Distance. Transcons and pretty much anything over 2.5 hrs will see the dessert and sometimes a side salad loaded.

If you're after a dessert on let's say a Mel-syd or anything similar then nope.

 

[ole nimeton]

Excellent flight on Thursday on VA219 MEL-ADL.

Flight started with usual water and juice pre departure offerings, followed by an early lunch of chicken with dirty rice or a tofu (tofu and pork maybe?) roll. I was a bit confused by the tofu option so selected the chicken as did most others, I think. Chicken was flavourful and tasty, albeit a little dry.



After lunch there was an offer of more drinks and a tray around service of chips, nuts and chocolate for you to select what you wanted - nice touch to finish things off.

Melbourne lounge redeemed its self for me this time with a short wait on coffee and baked beans, bacon and potato rosti the hot options.



8am Canberra flight over to Melb was the usual cereal only option and CBR lounge only had bacon and beans, though I didn’t eat there.

 

[MH_fan]

A great flight this morning from HBA to SYD. Had the bacon and egg quesadilla for breakfast, which was really nice.

 

[Astro]

MEL-SYD on Wednesday at lunchtime. I had a quick nibble before I took this photo. Chicken and rice is a good dish. Mine wasn't dry like some have said but I must say the rice is just rice. Could use a bit more flavour - then again, like it was discussed above it is plane food.






PDB
Priority boarding

I mention priority boarding as my trip back from Sydney to Melbourne was a three ring circus at the gate. I'm sure it was a one off as VA are always A Grade in this area. We'll see in the coming week.

 

[jase05]

VA236 ADL-MEL 1740
Interesting start to the evening with a couple of AFP blokes with semi automatics patrolling the screening area. VA lounge was pretty but had a really good beef and chimmichurri wrap with a ice cold Asahi. Flight delayed by about 15 minutes which isn’t great when you already have a 30 minute transit time in MEL. PB enforced and PDB of a sparkling wine as per usual.
Food options were Chicken tagine with beans or Pumpkin gnocchi. Both of us had the Chicken and it was superb. I’ve had it a few times before but this one had a bit more spice to it which suits me fine. Chicken was tender and just a really good dish for a flight IMO. Unusual but the cheese and biscuits normally consist of 3x pieces and water crackers whereas these ones were a larger 5x piece with Ritz like biscuits. Drinks flowed freely, magic rope did it’s job and just a really good flight, made up nearly all of our time too and helped by the SYD flight delayed we were able to make our connection no problems.





VA891 MEL-SYD 1940
As mentioned above managed to easily make it before boarding commenced. PB strictly enforced with several stopped and being sent to the back. Short flight and due to slight delay our meal orders were taken at same time as we received our PDB. Meal offerings were the same as above but we were still pretty full so declined.
Drink service was fantastic and offered some snacks free of charge in lieu of meal but did not take up the offer. Another really good flight.
Some minor disruptions caused with our direct ADL-SYD flight canceled but ADL-MEL-SYD for $299 in J is fantastic.

 

[zig]

VA236 ADL-MEL 1740
Interesting start to the evening with a couple of AFP blokes with semi automatics patrolling the screening area. VA lounge was pretty but had a really good beef and chimmichurri wrap with a ice cold Asahi. Flight delayed by about 15 minutes which isn’t great when you already have a 30 minute transit time in MEL. PB enforced and PDB of a sparkling wine as per usual.
Food options were Chicken tagine with beans or Pumpkin gnocchi. Both of us had the Chicken and it was superb. I’ve had it a few times before but this one had a bit more spice to it which suits me fine. Chicken was tender and just a really good dish for a flight IMO. Unusual but the cheese and biscuits normally consist of 3x pieces and water crackers whereas these ones were a larger 5x piece with Ritz like biscuits. Drinks flowed freely, magic rope did it’s job and just a really good flight, made up nearly all of our time too and helped by the SYD flight delayed we were able to make our connection no problems.


View attachment 269015


VA891 MEL-SYD 1940
As mentioned above managed to easily make it before boarding commenced. PB strictly enforced with several stopped and being sent to the back. Short flight and due to slight delay our meal orders were taken at same time as we received our PDB. Meal offerings were the same as above but we were still pretty full so declined.
Drink service was fantastic and offered some snacks free of charge in lieu of meal but did not take up the offer. Another really good flight.
Some minor disruptions caused with our direct ADL-SYD flight canceled but ADL-MEL-SYD for $299 in J is fantastic.

I also had the 5 cheese & cracker combo on my last flight, rather than the 3. I wondered if the 5 pack was the product sold in Y and being substituted in J due to product shortages?

 

[henrus]

I wondered if the 5 pack was the product sold in Y and being substituted in J due to product shortages

Comes down to what the local catering company has access to.

 

[jase05]

VA1417 SYD-CNS 1135
Still quite full from breakfast so didn’t indulge in the lounge and luckily so.
PB adhered to and PDB likewise.
Meal offerings were Chicken, mash and broccolini with some sort of gravy (I missed the description) or the Korean vegetarian salad and rice. I had the chicken and Mrs Jase had the Korean salad. My chicken was moist and ample of the tasty gravy and my wife enjoyed her meal but did comment that it had more spice than she is used too. Cheese and crackers plus a carrot cake with pistachios which was really enjoyable.Drink service a little tardy but overall still a really good flight

 

[MooTime]

Out of interest, can you get spirits in J?

I asked couple months ago for the special GnT they were advertising but was told of only for paying Y pax. Never asked for other spirits.

I notice in Mel they don't have spirits
in lounge, but I saw them in the temp popup lounge (upstairs one).

 

[zig]

You can get spirits in J, just not the special gin currently being promoted.

 

[jase05]

Out of interest, can you get spirits in J?

I asked couple months ago for the special GnT they were advertising but was told of only for paying Y pax. Never asked for other spirits.

I notice in Mel they don't have spirits
in lounge, but I saw them in the temp popup lounge (upstairs one).

Yes, spirits flow freely in J.
On leisure trips I often partake in a few Vodkas
I overheard a bloke order a G&T on last nights ADL-MEL flight but not sure what Gin they had

 

[twinaisle]

Yes, spirits flow freely in J.
On leisure trips I often partake in a few Vodkas
I overheard a bloke order a G&T on last nights ADL-MEL flight but not sure what Gin they had

There's one loaded for J and It's Gordon's gin.

You can also have the items from the economy menu but you gotta tap and pay.