Virgin Australia Business Class - Meals, Menus & Service

[Jaded_Elf]

Good Afternoon ~ VA 418 SYD-ADL, 21/3. Had a lovely coffee and Opera Cake in the lounge (and a bread roll!) before heading to the gate, boarding started early. After boarding, we were offered water or Sparkling (chose the Sparkling). Food choices were the Reuben, and a Veggie, Onion Tart. Service was 1A/C, 1D/F, 2A/C, and us last in 2D/F. Wifi available to Business and Platinum, not announced though (was decent signal).

My sister and I are both allergic to onion, and the Reuben had run out by the time they got to us. The Cabin manager offered us an assortment of snacks instead (chips, gluten free cookie, kit kat mini, rice crackers) and cheese & crackers. Was ok for the flight time of 1hr 40ish. Was offered another drink partway through (had a nice Chardonnay- chose a ginger ale initially).

First commercial flight in Business on VA, should be Silver after this finally. Missing the legrest of QF J, but definitely VA is the only choice for me and my sister now (and I used to work for QF, haha..).

 

[kerfuffle]

Missing the legrest of QF J,

The new Business Class seats have legrests

 

[1022]

VA1142 BNK-SYD. PDB of still water or “sparkling white”. Orders taken and delivered 1 A-F, 2 A-F. Choice of Reuben or couscous and cauliflower salad with dukkah. I had the salad which was pleasant and light though it needed the salt and pepper sachets; the kitchen could have been a bit more generous with the dukkah. Service was fine but unmemorable. E.g. trays came out quickly and as ordered with my glass of Pinot Grigio but no proactive checking if I might want water as well and zero banter or personalisation with anyone. Top up offered (and declined) as my tray was cleared.

 

[dairyfloss]

VA1142 BNK-SYD. PDB of still water or “sparkling white”. Orders taken and delivered 1 A-F, 2 A-F. Choice of Reuben or couscous and cauliflower salad with dukkah. I had the salad which was pleasant and light though it needed the salt and pepper sachets; the kitchen could have been a bit more generous with the dukkah. Service was fine but unmemorable. E.g. trays came out quickly and as ordered with my glass of Pinot Grigio but no proactive checking if I might want water as well and zero banter or personalisation with anyone. Top up offered (and declined) as my tray was cleared.View attachment 319931

I'm afraid all the dukkah was used on my young son's scrambled eggs on toast dish, a little while back. All of the dukkah that ever existed was on his personal serving of toast, on that flight. He will never try dukkah again, and to aid with PDSD (not a typo), we may now need to avoid the international foods and spice aisles while grocery shopping with him, just in case.

The roasted cauliflower looks nice.

Cheers,
Matt.

 

[Harthagan]

Flying Sydney to Queenstown in J we got 2 lovely meals. I had the cheese/spinach tortellini and my partner had the chicken Parma. I tried some of my partners chicken Parma and it was delicious as well, the attendant saw this and kindly offered me an extra meal as there was only 4 of of us in J but I declined as I wasn't still hungry.

Both meals came with a little plate of dolmades and fetta cheese, plus a dessert of cheesecake. As well as the usual cheese and crackers. Yes I know that's a lot of cheese!!

Now if only virgin had an international lounge arrangement in place for pax flying to NZ. Was pretty unimpressed with the staff in the Sydney Amex Lounge, but I guess that belongs for another thread haha.

 

[AIRwin]

Was pretty unimpressed with the staff in the Sydney Amex Lounge, but I guess that belongs for another thread haha.

Here?

Article: Amex Reopens Australian Airport Lounges

Amex Reopens Australian Airport Lounges is an article written by AFF editorial staff: https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/amex-lounge-guide/ You can leave a comment or discuss this topic below.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

 

[RooFlyer]

no proactive checking if I might want water as well and zero banter or personalisation with anyone. T

Don't suppose it was male FAs? I find them far less engaging than the females.

 

[1022]

Don't suppose it was male FAs? I find them far less engaging than the females.

I'm not sure that I've ever noticed a gendered pattern on either VA or QF in terms of warmth and personable traits. Two great flights in J on QF last week with blokes and an average (but by no means bad) one with a woman on VA.
If I bring to mind the most impressive, memorable flights on any airline over my last 20 years of flying I recall a QF female CSM on a domestic flight, a QF male SYD-LAX (not CSM), a young guy in J on QR and a woman on NH in J. 50:50...

 

[ecole16]

We had a really good experience a few weeks ago MEL-SYD on VA. CSM offered a second glass of bubbly before take off. Very proactive top ups all flight then as we disembarked he gave up us a bottle of sparkling wine to take home! Very unexpected but much appreciated! One my best ever domestic J flights!

 

[AIRwin]

Chicken Cajun sandwich for lunch on BNE-MEL flight. Last minute swap to an older aircraft with no WiFi. My order was taken first even though I noticed from the Cabin Manager's writing pad that there were Platinums in the other rows (but they ended up being served first), perhaps because she had earlier spilled a glass of water on me and my neighbour during pre-departure drinks? She also gave me a Kit Kat with my hot chocolate later...

 

[AIRwin]

On my return MEL-BNE flight, water and sparkling wine were presented upon sitting down but when seat neighbour asked for sparkling water instead, Cabin Manager obliged after hesitating for a split second and came back with it promptly...

 

[The-Aviator]

05/03/23 | VA782 | CNS to BNE

One from earlier in the month. Unfortunately no lounge at Cairns these days but there was a generous pour of sparkling awaiting on board.



Lunch options were a pastrami Reuben open sandwich on sourdough or a roast vegetable onion tart with mashed potatoes. Due to an onion intolerance I went with the Reuben.



Both options were served with cheese and crackers and the chocolate heart. To drink I had sparkling water and merlot.

Can't say I was a huge fan of this meal, despite enjoying a Reuben when on the ground! Definitely on the lighter side and the bread was unsurprisingly soggy.

Orders were taken 1AC, 2AC, 2DF, 1DF. Everyone got their first choice and some just went for snacks instead.

Flight attendant Claire was excellent, quite possibly the best of the four flights on this trip. Very friendly and proactive, offering regular top-ups as well as pantry snacks. Had some chips a little further into the flight.

 

[twinaisle]

On my return MEL-BNE flight, water and sparkling wine were presented upon sitting down but when seat neighbour asked for sparkling water instead, Cabin Manager obliged after hesitating for a split second and came back with it promptly...

We call these type of managers the ones who like to set up other managers to higher expectations from guests as they deviate from our service guide

 

[The-Aviator]

05/03/23 | VA970 | BNE to SYD

And finally the last of the four flights for the month. Started with a PDB sparkling.



Dinner options were mustard chicken with mashed potatoes or mushroom gnocchi. I chose the chicken.



Both were served with cheese and crackers and a chocolate heart. To drink I got a Bundy and Coke.

Wouldn't say this was my favourite meal so far but it was good enough. Perhaps a little bit overdone on the sauce-to-chicken ratio.

Orders were taken in the traditional 1AC, 1DF, 2AC, 2DF. Everyone got their first order, there were a few non-revs in business some of whom didn't order and others who said to take orders for the paying passengers first and they'd take whatever was left, although in the end they didn't run out of anything.

Our flight attendant Kirrin was excellent, good efficient service with more drinks offered.

And that DSC run up and down the coast has now left me just short of Platinum for the first time ever!

 

[AIRwin]

On my return MEL-BNE flight

Order taken first again (but not due to any water spill this time) and wanted to give the chicken parma another go after the burnt broccolini on a previous flight is still "seared" into my mind:

Virgin Australia Business Class - Meals, Menus & Service

New menu goes live in 3 days ;) Tray for Short flights i.e MEL- SYD will now have a sweet loaded (yoghurt or fruit for bfast or either a chocolate or cake for lunch/dinner. New meal options look very decent especially the vegetarian option so give those a try 😉

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

Alas I still found it a little dry so perhaps I'll be third time lucky? Hope my "dry" spell with the Thai curry dish will also end soon having only experienced it vicariously through the various posts on this thread!

 

[MattA]

VA 281 MEL-CBR

6/8 in J on this short flight this evening.

Choice was the salad bowl/prosciutto thing or the middle eastern salad w/ hard boiled eggs. Went for the middle eastern salad and thought it was very pleasant.



Orders taken 1AC, 2AC, 1DF, 2DF. Most of the other passengers declined food so no issues with availability/choices.

Choice of still water or sparkling wine for PDB as standard.

 

[BrettV]

VA218 ADL-MEL today. 4 in J (including one VA pilot).

PDB choices - water, juice or sparkling wine. Food choice was either the Reuben or the roast vegetable tart with mash and relish. I was offered the tart as that was all that was left The tart was quite nice but the mash was the standout. Plenty of top ups of the Grant Burge Petite Bubbles too.

 

[Harthagan]

ZQN to SYD the choices were identical to when we flew SYD to ZQN.

Chicken Parma and cheese/spinach tortellini. Both dishes were delicious. Both served with a plate of feta and dolmades, cheese and crackers and passionfruit cheesecake. Yes I know that's a lot of cheese!

I prefer chicken breast over thigh so I think that's why I love the Parma as opposed to the chicken curries Ive had on Virgin flights previously which always seem to be with chicken thigh (strangely as Thai curries tend to normally always be made with chicken breast)

Friendly and attentive service for drinks was very good with plenty of refills offered and accepted Also offered chips and chocolates for a mid flight snack.

 

[dk4]

We call these type of managers the ones who like to set up other managers to higher expectations from guests as they deviate from our service guide

Well, what I hope Virgin will call those, who don't do better than the bare minimum, is UNEMPLOYED!

JH needs to stamp out this downward race to mediocrity - IMO any service guide should be considered the starting point, and all employees should personally strive to achieve better than that. (Thankfully at Virgin, as this thread points out, most CMs are inspired to do so! IMO those that can't/won't, really need to walk out 1L, and not come back.)

 

[Milefest]

Well, what I hope Virgin will call those, who don't do better than the bare minimum, is UNEMPLOYED!

JH needs to stamp out this downward race to mediocrity - IMO any service guide should be considered the starting point, and all employees should personally strive to achieve better than that. (Thankfully at Virgin, as this thread points out, most CMs are inspired to do so! IMO those that can't/won't, really need to walk out 1L, and not come back.)

While I appreciate it when CMs go above and beyond, the problem is that you set up an expectation for service that can't always be delivered.