Virgin Australia Business Class - Meals, Menus & Service

[greenandgold]

First time I've seen mini bottles of spirits and the mixer handed out to pax to DIY before. If they could hand out three or four at a time that would be even better.

I asked in J about 12 months ago for a bourbon and coke, and requested if I could have the coke can and bottle to mix myself. I was told "no", due to the "responsible service of alcohol". I was taken back a bit - I didn't think it was an unreasonable or unusual request. I couldn't help but make a comment later on, asking if it was really a problem handing out the mini bottles if it was only one at a time? Until the cabin manager returned with a 700ml bottle of Johnny Walker to show what she'd been using. I got it then. That was responsible.

 

[serfty]

First time I've seen mini bottles of spirits and the mixer handed out to pax to DIY before. If they could hand out three or four at a time that would be even better.

The photo I had above was after I asked for a G&T with the remaining mixer on the side.

They then offered that as pictured.

What had been happening relates to the smallish glasses they use; with a scoop of ice and 50ml of spirit there's not much room left for the mixer making for a really dry martini on the rocks. Hic!

 

[OrangeRoughie]

VA874 SYD-MEL 1800
&
VA893 MEL-SYD 2015

Same options offered on both flights: roast pumpkin tortellini and chicken tagine. Staff on VA874 were very curt and absent after initial tray service, no refills offered.
VA893 had Nicole who was lovely! Drink refills offered multiple times and snack tray offered.

View attachment 273404

View attachment 273403

Tortellini was partner's. Interestingly, on the way to Melbourne, the dish was actually called "a special chicken Indian curry". So... I ended up with the same meal twice, thinking they were different things - not a bad thing, but oopsie!

Please excuse my poor photo taking skills.

Same meal choices on VA434 SYD-ADL last night, I went with the tortellini and it was quite nice. J cabin was full and the cabin manager Jean was very attentive and friendly, no shortage of opportunities to have your drink refilled.

 

[BNEFlyer]

The photo I had above was after I asked for a G&T with the remaining mixer on the side.

They then offered that as pictured.

What had been happening relates to the smallish glasses they use; with a scoop of ice and 50ml of spirit there's not much room left for the mixer making for a really dry martini on the rocks. Hic!

My next flights I'm asking for no ice!

 

[JackMiles]

My next flights I'm asking for no ice!

That's the way, BNEFlyer. Tell 'em what Bill Kerr told 'em!

 

[openseat]

VA977(?) SYD - BNE. Korean Bibimbap, the other option was Spanish Chicken. Reasonable meal. The service was really quite good. Orders were taken 1A-F,2F-A. Drinks were flowing freely - my refill was quite extraordinarily full. It was in one of the newly configured planes without the divider between Y and J, which makes one feel awfully exposed in J - I wish they would simply install a curtain. I noticed the bulkhead has two bassinet positions. Power points at each seat in J as well.

 

[ozstamps]

When was the last time a Virgin economy cart was loaded only with free meat pies, Carlton Draught and red and white wines? VA 838 SYD-MEL today.

First ever Virgin AFL Flight 17/3, SYD-MEL - Books into FLEX

If anyone takes this flight, please report how it went.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

 

[oz_ally]

Last Thursday 10 March flew ROK - BNE (VA 1238) 10:35am. Sat in 2D and my friend was in 2F. Offerings were the Reuben or Burrito Bowl. All J seats were full but I was asked first what I wanted. I chose the Burrito Bowl and it was very nice. My friend wasn't keen on either option and I didn't want her to end up with only cheese and crackers like what happened once before so we made sure to ask if she could have a selection of snacks - a lovely staff member had done that for her once before. The guy we had on Thursday was great and brought her some snacks. I did get the cheese and crackers but my friend didn't so I swapped them for her unwanted Cranberry Nut Mix. I also had my usual mimosa and a coffee. Friend had an OJ and a hot chocolate.

Old (young) Mate across the aisle was asked what PDB he wanted - wasn't keen on wine or beer and asked what else was on offer. Staff bloke said "what are you thinking". OM returns with "bourbon?" and that's what he got I laughed and OM looked tiredly over at me and said "it's been a hard week"



On our return - which when booked months ago was supposed to leave BNE for ROK around 2:45pm (that flight that started as a Boeing then changed to a Fokker and back to a Boeing ) Well it was gradually moved back to 4:25pm. We checked out of motel at 10am and went direct to the airport. My friend went to the DFO but I just went straight to the lounge. They were still serving brekkie items - ham & egg croissants and Waffles with cream. Over the course of the day our flight kept being moved to later. And later. And later. But who really cares too much when you're in the lounge - well it didn't bother me. We ended up leaving at 6:30pm. So I was in the lounge for brekkie, lunch and tea services. Tea option was pasta which looked good but I didn't partake because I was saving what room I had left in my tummy for the plane. Same options on the way back so I had the Reuben. While away I had been reading this thread with people saying it was nice and I'd never had one before - yeah it was pretty good.

 

[twinaisle]

Who are these staff members who keeps offering a inconsistent service. Bourbon for PDD? No wonder people get different offerings and get cranky at other staff on future flights.

 

[ozstamps]

Had an 8am today and chose an omelette and Bacon. That was all it was. Bland and unattractive. A handful of very pale yellow mush that looked to be a ''reconstitued-just-add-water'' hiking or Army C Rations meal etc and 2 little pieces of bacon.

And tasted like very pale yellow mushed up cardboard. So it looked bad, and tasted even worse. Not even a few pieces of dark green shallot etc on side to add colour or visual appeal. Asked FA if he had a sachet of some kind of sauce or chutney in galley. NEIN. Ate the bacon and left the cardboard slurry.

 

[jase05]

Who are these staff members who keeps offering a inconsistent service. Bourbon for PDD? No wonder people get different offerings and get cranky at other staff on future flights.

I have never, ever seen that happen

 

[AIRwin]

Had an 8am today and chose an omelette and Bacon.

I've a breakfast flight coming up so I may try to fill up at the lounge just in case... But was there another option on your flight out of interest?

 

[twinaisle]

I have never, ever seen that happen

You've never seen people get upset they can't have xyz for PDD? Or never experienced dealing with someone upset because they can't get something that they got on another flight outside of service standard?

 

[jase05]

You've never seen people get upset they can't have xyz for PDD? Or never experienced dealing with someone upset because they can't get something that they got on another flight outside of service standard?

Have never seen anything other than still or sparkling water or sparkling wine offered as a PDB.
I’ve heard people request beer, wine etc but always been refused

 

[zig]

Likewise I have been told that the only PDDs available are water, juice, sparkling wine. They are happy to serve other drinks as soon as the meal service commences.

 

[ozstamps]

I've a breakfast flight coming up so I may try to fill up at the lounge just in case... But was there another option on your flight out of interest?

Luckily we had a bit of time at the lounge, so had some decent sized pieces of bacon, and baked beans and toast.

So was not really hungry, but if I was, the pale yellow mushed cardboard slop would have been a big miss.

Other choice I think was cereal or muesli etc.

As a data point we were 1D 1F, and were offered first choice. As we note here, FA's seem to do Row 2 first at times.

 

[oz_ally]

Have never seen anything other than still or sparkling water or sparkling wine offered as a PDB.
I’ve heard people request beer, wine etc but always been refused

oh jeez - every time I fly J (pretty much always the ROK-BNE and return route) yes I do get offered the water, juice or bubbles and I just get a mimosa but my daughter is a beer girl and always gets it. We just must have nice staff on our route - it is a short flight so maybe they don't have time to be grumpy

 

[ole nimeton]

Was on a CBR-ADL flight this evening, departing 7:50pm.

PDB offered - sparkling wine, still or sparking water.

Two options were the previously mentioned chicken cacciatore pasta or the stuffed mushroom.

I chose the pasta, served with a glass of red and the usual cheese and biscuits. Pasta was nice but left me feeling a bit unsatisfied. Fairly cheap dish for business class and portion was very small so was still hungry after not having much to eat all day - reminded me a little of the old pasta in a box dishes in QF economy except the QF economy offerings were bigger servings.

In hindsight, should have selected the mushroom dish as the portion looked more generous and probably more fitting for a business meal.

Was offered a refill on my wine and then everything was cleared away for landing - was hoping for the offer of some extra cheese, nuts or other snacks like on some other recent flights but alas.

 

[serfty]

was hoping for the offer of some extra cheese, nuts or other snacks like on some other recent flights but alas.

Often the "(nee) 'Pantry' menu" is available on request.

 

[AIRwin]

I've a breakfast flight coming up so I may try to fill up at the lounge just in case... But was there another option on your flight out of interest?

Based on @ozstamps previous feedback, I opted for the toasted mushroom panini (instead of bacon and egg tortilla) after already having had a ham and egg croissant in the lounge. 1A and 1C's order were taken (one of each) and served before all others so I even had a chance to see what both look like before I decided. Both options couldn't have been all that bad - all plates in the entire row 1 were clean when they were cleared except for mine (a small edge of the panini was stuck and I couldn't scrape it off!)