Virgin Australia Business Class - Meals, Menus & Service

[zig]

VA also released the new menu information via LinkedIn…

View attachment 283466
Looking forward to eating some of these, but if early indications are anything to go by, might be passing on the ciabatta. I’d rather have undercooked bread than a rock hard teeth-cracker. Just will eat the topping

Virgin Australia launches new Business Class menu for winter

Virgin Australia has launched a new Business Class menu for the colder months, featuring comforting pastas, Aussie classics and bright, hearty salads.

newsroom.virginaustralia.com

I think the item in the photo from VA is the poached chicken salad I had yesterday. It looks like a much larger serving of chicken than the 3 very small slices in my offering.

 

[Shervin]

Was in 2A and was second last to get asked for meal preference. Was forced to pick the Chicken and mash, as everyone else chose the "pan fried gnocchi in creamy mushroom sauce".

Would rate it as average. Hard to beat the old cheese toasties from the last menu. Nice to get chocolate too!

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

At least all you other colleagues flights took off and landed.
VA and the others of today, had many cancellations.
Hope mine takes off next week, otherwise I am grounded again.

 

[ChrisBNE]

Was in 2A and was second last to get asked for meal preference. Was forced to pick the Chicken and mash, as everyone else chose the "pan fried gnocchi in creamy mushroom sauce".

Would rate it as average. Hard to beat the old cheese toasties from the last menu. Nice to get chocolate too!

I had the Gnocchi last night, everyone else went for the Chicken. I was very happy with it.

 

[Ade]

Gnocchi

Definitely looks appealing. I had the earlier version of this Gnocchi with tomato sauce, broccolini & pumpkin. A good fare, in my opinion.

 

[Denali]

So VA is not supplying any bread rolls on any flights? I feel like I need to swing by Bakers Delight for a roll before my next flight

 

[TMP]

So VA is not supplying any bread rolls on any flights? I feel like I need to swing by Bakers Delight for a roll before my next flight

No bread rolls to be seen in this iteration of VA

 

[Ade]

So VA is not supplying any bread rolls on any flights? I feel like I need to swing by Bakers Delight for a roll before my next flight

Definitely need something to mop up the sauce or reset the palette. In my earlier days of flying (which is not very far in the past, around 2018 ), I used to take sourdough bread & Goats cheese from ALDI in my Y flights to use it alongside the wine served. I use the bread, cracker & cheese to reset my palette during meals, sort of a refresher before indulging in another morsel of the meal.

 

[twinaisle]

Definitely need something to mop up the sauce or reset the palette. In my earlier days of flying (which is not very far in the past, around 2018 ), I used to take sourdough bread & Goats cheese from ALDI in my Y flights to use it alongside the wine served. I use the bread, cracker & cheese to reset my palette during meals, sort of a refresher before indulging in another morsel of the meal.

Just keep doing it

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

So VA is not supplying any bread rolls on any flights? I feel like I need to swing by Bakers Delight for a roll before my next flight

OT: if you are serious about Bakers Delight, and will be taking a lot of VA flights, its worth it to join their dough getters club.
Its via app on a smart phone, every purchase (making sure you hold your phone right up to the QR code reader at Bakers Delight), and earn points up to $55 worth, and get a free loaf of bread.
I am already half way towards that $55, yep, I eat a lot of bread, and those buns are good to have while on the road between jobs, no, not while driving!

 

[SJF211]

VA1348 - SDT 0135 - DRW-SYD
SFT: 04:15
Despite the aircraft getting in on time we were delayed, with no announcements. Boarding eventually started at 0150. There was only one lane so I joined the back of a decently long queue. It moved pretty quickly though so can’t complain. Mask wearing was very relaxed on the flight. The Manager and the other male flight attendant didn’t wear a mask and 4 of the 8 J passengers didn’t either.

There were two choices. Mustard chicken with mash or the mushroom gnocchi. I’ve only had gnocchi once before and it was revolting so I had low expectations. I needn’t have worried as it was delicious. I wish there was more. If there’s one complaint I’d have is that VA needs to get bigger glasses. Like how Qantas has its “stemless,” champagne and wine glasses. Two sips and both my drinks were finished. Anyways dinner came with a salted caramel carrot cake and cheese and crackers.

Unfortunately after the service the crew left the galley and front dome light on making it very difficult to sleep and disappeared down the back. I dozed for about 2 hours and when I woke up had to wait about 30 mins before anyone walked past to get a glass of water from. Oh well. In the VA lounge now before my connecting flight and VA gold status.

 

[twinaisle]

VA1348 - SDT 0135 - DRW-SYD
SFT: 04:15
Despite the aircraft getting in on time we were delayed, with no announcements. Boarding eventually started at 0150. There was only one lane so I joined the back of a decently long queue. It moved pretty quickly though so can’t complain. Mask wearing was very relaxed on the flight. The Manager and the other male flight attendant didn’t wear a mask and 4 of the 8 J passengers didn’t either.

There were two choices. Mustard chicken with mash or the mushroom gnocchi. I’ve only had gnocchi once before and it was revolting so I had low expectations. I needn’t have worried as it was delicious. I wish there was more. If there’s one complaint I’d have is that VA needs to get bigger glasses. Like how Qantas has its “stemless,” champagne and wine glasses. Two sips and both my drinks were finished. Anyways dinner came with a salted caramel carrot cake and cheese and crackers.

Unfortunately after the service the crew left the galley and front dome light on making it very difficult to sleep and disappeared down the back. I dozed for about 2 hours and when I woke up had to wait about 30 mins before anyone walked past to get a glass of water from. Oh well. In the VA lounge now before my connecting flight and VA gold status.

View attachment 284027

We've been trying to push for the bigger glasses to be loaded on these flights but they can't due to it being double catered so there's nil space

They're only on transcon because the catering gets loaded after each flight there

 

[MJHoops]

MEL-SYD Wednesday lunch.

View attachment 280335

Cajun Chicken Toastie with Swiss Cheese. It was pretty good - I actually haven't had this before. A knife and fork job as others have said above. The Turkish Bread doesn't fare too well being twice cooked.

Alternative was the Vegetable Tart thing with relish.

Service was outstanding. Full flight.

Coming home today was same options. On the way to Melbourne we were on that weird Silk Air plane that has the horrible yellow seats and no divider between J and Y.

I think it's VH-IXJ? Still not upgraded to the VA interior.

The airport at both ends was much busier than I expected. It will be a busy long weekend for those working in the industry.

The carrot was still flying its orange colours as of 30 June 2022 as VA319

 

[AIRwin]

The carrot was still flying its orange colours as of 30 June 2022 as VA319

And VA845 on 4 July

 

[SJF211]

VA917 - SDT 0800 - SYD-BNE
SFT: 01:35
After a few espressos I was ready for my 2nd of 4 flights today and last in J. The flight boarded on time and priority boarding worked well. J was 7/8. The service on this flight was excellent, a little too good and I soon realise it was because there was 5 cabin crew. 1 of whom I assume was there to observe the crew. She wore the regular senior crew uniform but had a white name badge. The crew were particularly proactive and charming when she was around but they were consistently lovely nonetheless. Anyways pre departure drink of water delivered quickly and after a slightly delayed pushback we were off taxing to 34R.

There were two choices today. Bruschetta with mushrooms and tomato or pancakes with blueberry compote. I opted for the latter. The lady next to me opted for the bruschetta and it also came with cheese on it so not vegan as I would have expected. The pancakes were good albeit to dry but that’s okay. The coffee was water however. I noticed everyone seemed to have a different accompanying pastry. I got a custard tart which was lovely although the lady next to me got a braid thing which by the sounds of her teeth and banging on the plate we’re inedible. We landed on time and my bag was the first off before heading over to Qantas to head back to Sydney.

 

[MJHoops]

VA917 - SDT 0800 - SYD-BNE
SFT: 01:35
After a few espressos I was ready for my 2nd of 4 flights today and last in J. The flight boarded on time and priority boarding worked well. J was 7/8. The service on this flight was excellent, a little too good and I soon realise it was because there was 5 cabin crew. 1 of whom I assume was there to observe the crew. She wore the regular senior crew uniform but had a white name badge. The crew were particularly proactive and charming when she was around but they were consistently lovely nonetheless. Anyways pre departure drink of water delivered quickly and after a slightly delayed pushback we were off taxing to 34R.

There were two choices today. Bruschetta with mushrooms and tomato or pancakes with blueberry compote. I opted for the latter. The lady next to me opted for the bruschetta and it also came with cheese on it so not vegan as I would have expected. The pancakes were good albeit to dry but that’s okay. The coffee was water however. I noticed everyone seemed to have a different accompanying pastry. I got a custard tart which was lovely although the lady next to me got a braid thing which by the sounds of her teeth and banging on the plate we’re inedible. We landed on time and my bag was the first off before heading over to Qantas to head back to Sydney.


View attachment 284074

Pancakes were just OK IMHO. Highly recommend the bruschetta instead. You still get your sweets with the danish. Or ask for a chocolate or another juice I suppose! I ate the braid pastry and it was good, not tough to eat.

My wife very annoyed with the surprise cheese on the bruschetta though as she is allergic to dairy. More food for me…

 

[Ade]

Bruschetta with mushrooms and tomato or pancakes with blueberry compote

Both options sound delishhhh !! hopefully a VA J flight on the horizon very soon. Will update this thread when it happens

 

[BrettV]

VA227 MEL-ADL with 8/8 in J (1.30pm departure following a 1/2 hour delay)
PDB water, juice or sparkling wine (went for the sparkling)
Meal options were a chicken salad or a vegetarian quiche

I went with the quiche, served with mash and a relish. Was quite tasTy, plenty of vegetables in it and the caramelised onion on top was great. The pastry was pretty good too - always sceptical about pastry base dishes from the plane oven. No tea or coffee available on the flight but wine glass was looked after.

 

[ole nimeton]

6:25am CBR-MEL, yesterday.

Arrived at the airport a little after 5:30am to find a line out the airport door full of people wanting to check in which I couldn’t quite understand in this age of digital boarding passes (maybe lots of people with luggage and not enough staff). I breezed through security and went to the lounge briefly before a call to board was made at 5:55am. After sometime sitting on the plane the pilot announced that due to the congestion at check in we were still waiting on people and I spent the next 45 minutes watching people slowly trickling into the plane and then another 15 minutes waiting around for ‘paperwork’ before we finally pushed back at 7am.

I was originally bumped from a 7:55 flight to the earlier 6:25 flight so wasn’t overly thrilled at this point - the pre departure water seemed like a very long time ago and I was keen to tuck into the normal continental breakfast that always seems to be offered on the red eye out of Canberra.

I was pleasantly surprised, however, to be offered a choice of egg on ciabatta bread or citrus French toast. Selected the eggs which were alright - ciabatta a little soggy and the eggs a little powdery (seemed to be hard boiled, chopped and reheated) but it was ok. Pastry wasn’t heated and tasted a bit like it had come out the fridge. Coffee was most welcome.



Next flight MEL-ADL
Was supposed to leave at 10:10 am but was delayed and started boarding at 10:50. Everyone started lining up in the priority lane but staff made a decent effort to try and separate the lines out.

Water or sparking wine offered as PDB. Meal options were grilled chicken salad with rice and sesame oil or a roast veggie and onion tart.

I selected the chicken salad as did most of the rest of the cabin. Salad was delicious and the veggie tart smelled alright too.

Service on both flights was stock standard which was fine for morning flights.

 

[twinaisle]

We've come up with a new way to keep food fresh from a catered port into a non catered port for early first flight out now so you'll see more of a standard breakfast offering

We don't heat the pastries. ( Some do as an extra touch, definitely know I do on the odd occasion being extra but I let my passengers know it's not normal to be served warm pastries so don't always expect that on other AM services )