Virgin Australia Business Class - Meals, Menus & Service

[dk4]

But for MEL T4, they seem to want everyone to be plebs, couldn't see a priority line at the combo T3/T4 new fangled int security similar hands akimbo system screening.
Sorry for the "angst", not happy MEL airport!

Absolutely agree, it would benefit MEL as much as us, to get regular flyers, who know the ropes, into their own lane and through quicker. Although, last week they were having probelms with the new scanners not forming an image correctly, and around 80% of bags were automatically being sent through to secondary inspection. (I think VA must pay for a priority lane when it operates (MEL T4), and only prepared to do that for a few hours in the mornings?)

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Ah, so for MEL T4, there is a premium security screening lane?
Ta for info.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Ah, so for MEL T4, there is a premium security screening lane?
Ta for info.

Only early in the morning. The rest of the day it’s two lanes, which branch into 4, sometimes 5 screening points. It usually moves pretty quickly.

 

[Must...Fly!]

The priority lane may not be fastest anyway, the main one really moves. I had some spare time so decided to "race" someone in the priority queue (despite having access myself) and was only marginally beaten, primarily due to a large family of 8 who were moving house via carry on.

 

[Harrison_133]

The priority lane may not be fastest anyway, the main one really moves.

Yeah the security staff who police the queues don’t do a great job at giving the priority lane priority. They seem insistent on directing priority to the single screening lane “dedicated” to it, when really they should just send us to the first lane to open up.

The priority lane is definitely needed during the morning peak. The evening peak could maybe do with it too, but most other times the queues there aren’t an issue at all. Going through at lunchtime a couple of days ago, the whole process literally took 2 minutes.

 

[kerfuffle]

VA867 MEL-SYD this evening. Not in J, but it was one of the ex Silk Air birds sans divider so I could hear everything that was going on up there from row 3.

Turns out we were not only sans divider, but also sans J catering.

Before takeoff, CSM did the rounds of all 8 J PAX asking if they had been advised that catering was not assured on this flight today, then handing them a business card and asking them to scan a QR code and submit a complaint to be compensated. She sounded genuinely frustrated (more so than the pax to be honest—someone said it was fine and she told them “no, you’ve paid for J, please ask the company why you’ve received no catering and you will be compensated.”)

Yikes! I usually fly this route number when coming home but because there were no Business Reward flights, went for VA871 (on the same day you flew) which leaves half an hour later. This one had catering: was either mustard chicken or gnocchi with mushrooms. Didn't keep track of orders taken and served as I was too stoked at being able to get the WiFi going for the Japan v Sweden match. Cabin Manager Mitch was great and offered my seat mate and I wine top-ups in disposable coffee cups as we got closer to landing. Does not taste the same as wine in a glass haha. Also pretty sure he thought I was too young for sparkling wine as I swear he hesitated before giving me my PDB

Still can't upload photos!

 

[alexczarn]

Just bring along food she can eat.
Bring her along for the "seating at the point end" bit.
Even if she does not eat a lot or drink a lot in the lounge, at the least, she should get some place to sit and be away from the "plebs", seen the combo T3 and T4 of MEL lately?
Shocking, its now like a big huge shopping Westfield Scentre mall.
Ick.
===
Oh, for some airports, flying J get priority sec processing.
But for MEL T4, they seem to want everyone to be plebs, couldn't see a priority line at the combo T3/T4 new fangled int security similar hands akimbo system screening.
Sorry for the "angst", not happy MEL airport!

there is a T4 priority line; I used it the other week

 

[FunPlum]

Finally got a catering change on the OOL-SYD/return flights. It's the Mediterranean style salad and the green chicken curry. I've eaten so much pumpkin risoni salad the past few months that I was probably a bit too enthusiastic at hearing a different menu.

 

[Stealthflyer]

Chicken with roast vegetables with a sesame dressing. I got a bit of a surprise at the first bite because it was cold. Apparently it was a “salad”. I think it could have been improved with a quick zap in the microwave but oh well. The beer was terrific as always.

 

[dairyfloss]

Chicken with roast vegetables with a sesame dressing. I got a bit of a surprise at the first bite because it was cold. Apparently it was a “salad”. I think it could have been improved with a quick zap in the microwave but oh well. The beer was terrific as always. View attachment 339451

I do wish QF would carry a decent beer

 

[Stealthflyer]

I do wish QF would carry a decent beer

It’s odd how so many airlines champion wine lists but not beer lists. I’m glad VA is sharing the deliciousness of a local Brisbane brewery.

 

[dairyfloss]

It’s odd how so many airlines champion wine lists but not beer lists. I’m glad VA is sharing the deliciousness of a local Brisbane brewery.

Indeed - even Bonza has better options. As for QF, I'm sure they could do a good deal with one of the GABS top 10 [independent] breweries on supply at the right price. Great for their brand exposure, and great for beer drinkers as well. I'd love to crack a Mountain Culture in the sky! Sorry if too OT.

Cheers.
Matt.

 

[servicerequired]

It’s the service element …. are you going to have a dressing on the salad, or some chutney with the breakfast offering, etc. With VA the only interaction really is the time they take your order.

I rarely get offered a drink top up on VA. QF much more common.

In economy the QF crews are good, generous with their food offerings (routinely offering spare serves) and a second bottle of wine.

I'm always being offered drink top ups on VA! Maybe one flight with a disinterested crew member, I think it was MCY - MEL, and she had a couple of idiots to deal with ... but maybe if she was more attentive? Anyway - I cannot fault VA. Not having a crack, but its the interaction which you give the crew which will normally have an influence on the level of service back from them.

 

[Zinger]

Chicken parma tonight CNS-BNE.

Departure time was to be 4.50pm and arriving at 7.05pm and I decided beforehand not to have a meal as I'd be in the SilverKris lounge then on an SQ flight later that night.

Delays happen especially later in the afternoons. The plane ended up departing at 6.10pm to arrive at 8.15 so I decided to eat. Glad I did. The chicken parma was better than it looked. Glasses of Merlot were much appreciated.

After arriving at BNE the plane was forced for some reason to wait on the tarmac until 9.10pm. Add to that the fact that the luggage belt collection signs were wrong I managed to make it to the SKL.

Those at the back of the B737 must have been starving.

 

[twinaisle]

Not having a crack, but its the interaction which you give the crew which will normally have an influence on the level of service back from them.

This. Right. Here.

 

[twinaisle]

CSM

We're called CM at Virgin.

CM
CM
CM

CSM is Qantas.

 

[MELso]

Was on VA849 today from MEL-SYD. Flight attendant Nicky was delightful and was proactive in offering PDB and keeping glasses topped up. Meal choices were Thai green curry or middle eastern salad. I went for the Thai curry washed down with Petaluma Second Blooming Chardonnay. Both excellent.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

MEL-SYD.

Usual delays. Mustard chicken rotation. Pax in 2F was the first to be offered dinner. Beyond passenger maybe? Followed by 1ACDF, 2AC.

wifi needed a reboot but CSM thought the best time to do this would be after the meal service… meaning 5/8 pax had nothing to do but wait. Yes, every J class pax said the streaming wouldn’t connect.

Acknowledgment of country. Which scores highly and offset the previous problems.

 

[kerfuffle]

Was on VA849 today from MEL-SYD. Flight attendant Nicky was delightful and was proactive in offering PDB and keeping glasses topped up. Meal choices were Thai green curry or middle eastern salad. I went for the Thai curry washed down with Petaluma Second Blooming Chardonnay. Both excellent.
View attachment 340248

The curry is good, but what happened to seasonal meal changes? I had that in January ...

 

[Must...Fly!]

Picture won't upload, but choice from VA876 on Monday night was Mac and cheese, or said curry. Had the former (again...) and was decently cheesy this time. Satisfying but similar to above, was hoping for something new.