Virgin Australia Business Class - Meals, Menus & Service

[1022]

MEL-SYD Friday evening. Departure delayed about 45 minutes. I diligently went to the gate when the app flashed up with “boarding” and joined the other gate lice while pilots were delayed coming from another flight. (Aside, I feel like I see more of this kind of crew-schedule related delay on VA than QF. Purely anecdotal though!).

Meal choices were honey soy chicken or gnocchi with optional chorizo. I went with the gnocchi because I’ve had it before and was decent. The gnocci was over cooked and too soft and a bit soggy, but still tasted good and was well plated in spite of what the CM had to work with.

CM seemed very new - eg reading PAs verbatim. So service was just the basics but fine and with a smile. It’s interesting to observe how all the little things that distinguish really good J service from merely average must evolve over time: eg proactively offering water on the meal tray when pax order an alcoholic drink; or offering tea or coffee when clearing trays; or the sixth sense some seem to have with when to walk through the cabin with wine bottles to offer top ups; or the art of small talk.

 

[twinaisle]

eg proactively offering water on the meal tray when pax order an alcoholic drink; or offering tea or coffee when clearing trays; or the sixth sense some seem to have with when to walk through the cabin with wine bottles to offer top ups; or the art of small talk.

Its RSA to offer water with an alcoholic drink on the tray

Small talk works both ways, we're not going to talk to you besides the bare minimum if you're sitting there with headphones on or/are looking like you want to be left alone. Happens more than often and personally I won't go above and beyond for extra service.

 

[muppet]

Its RSA to offer water with an alcoholic drink on the tray

Small talk works both ways, we're not going to talk to you besides the bare minimum if you're sitting there with headphones on or/are looking like you want to be left alone. Happens more than often and personally I won't go above and beyond for extra service.

Offering tea and coffee or topping up wine is really considered “going above and beyond”?

 

[twinaisle]

Offering tea and coffee or topping up wine is really considered “going above and beyond”?

Probably not going to offer it to you when clearing a tray if your headphones are on as I'll have to repeat myself waiting for you to take it off especially on a SYD-MEL or a short flight.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

We has a super CM the other night. Both wifi and IFE working, so just about everyone with headphones in or on. He took orders before takeoff, then simply mouthed ‘another drink?’ or proactively offered top ups by sowing the bottle. No audible communication required!

Wonderful! Bring. It. On.

 

[AFF Editor]

I've moved the headphone etiquette discussion to a new thread

Plane headphone etiquette: Should you remove headphones whenever you interact with cabin crew?

We has a super CM the other night. Both wifi and IFE working, so just about everyone with headphones in or on. He took orders before takeoff, then simply mouthed ‘another drink?’ or proactively offered top ups by sowing the bottle. No audible communication required! Wonderful! Bring. It. On...

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

 

[zoraya_lane]

Flight from MEL-PER Tuesday morning, scheduled for 9:15am but didn't end up departing til around 11:15. Nice flight though, was glad it was an older plane that still had a divider for a longer flight-- been on too many lately that don't and honestly it kind of defeats the purpose of business to me to not have one! I like being in the second row and knowing i'm not infringing on anyone by reclining the whole time.

As I was served last in 2F there was only this little banana bread + mascarpone ensemble left. It was quite nice but I'm not really sure it's suitable as a full meal, especially since everything on the tray is cakey and sweet so it feels more like a morning tea. The apple cake was really nice and moist too, but the energy balls weren't the best texture and I left them untouched after a taste test bite. For a 4hr+ flight I was a little less than impressed. A tray of snacks was offered around a little later but not much on that either.

 

[PDog]

Flight from MEL-PER Tuesday morning, scheduled for 9:15am but didn't end up departing til around 11:15. Nice flight though, was glad it was an older plane that still had a divider for a longer flight-- been on too many lately that don't and honestly it kind of defeats the purpose of business to me to not have one! I like being in the second row and knowing i'm not infringing on anyone by reclining the whole time.

As I was served last in 2F there was only this little banana bread + mascarpone ensemble left. It was quite nice but I'm not really sure it's suitable as a full meal, especially since everything on the tray is cakey and sweet so it feels more like a morning tea. The apple cake was really nice and moist too, but the energy balls weren't the best texture and I left them untouched after a taste test bite. For a 4hr+ flight I was a little less than impressed. A tray of snacks was offered around a little later but not much on that either.


View attachment 396406I

I haven't flown MEL - PER since 'The Business' (is that what it was called?!) pre-covid, and wow, that is disappointing

 

[lobo76]

Flight from MEL-PER Tuesday morning, scheduled for 9:15am but didn't end up departing til around 11:15. Nice flight though, was glad it was an older plane that still had a divider for a longer flight-- been on too many lately that don't and honestly it kind of defeats the purpose of business to me to not have one! I like being in the second row and knowing i'm not infringing on anyone by reclining the whole time.

As I was served last in 2F there was only this little banana bread + mascarpone ensemble left. It was quite nice but I'm not really sure it's suitable as a full meal, especially since everything on the tray is cakey and sweet so it feels more like a morning tea. The apple cake was really nice and moist too, but the energy balls weren't the best texture and I left them untouched after a taste test bite. For a 4hr+ flight I was a little less than impressed. A tray of snacks was offered around a little later but not much on that either.


View attachment 396406

I haven't done the Perth trip since before Covid but gosh you'd really want to make sure you grabbed something in the lounge beforehand if that's all you get on a delayed 4h+ flight :/

 

[zoraya_lane]

I haven't done the Perth trip since before Covid but gosh you'd really want to make sure you grabbed something in the lounge beforehand if that's all you get on a delayed 4h+ flight :/

Definitely and I was lucky that I had a bit to eat in the lounge but not as much as I would have eaten if I’d known that was all I’d get on board! Funny that it’s the same meal size as you’d get on a Melbourne to Sydney flight even though the flight is 4x longer

 

[SYD]

First time on VA for a while. SYD-MEL-OOL.

Mid morning departure out of SYD and I was surprised it was a “Lunch” service. Main a choice of a Beef Quesadilla or Beef Targine (that could be vegetarian’ised - see below).

Went for the Quesadillas which was tasty and reasonable size for the time of day (already had some breakfast and I knew a further lunch was coming).
View attachment IMG_3831.jpeg

MEL-OOL had the identical menu, so went for the Targine. As you can see, the slow cooked beef is just in the side). Not the prettiest plating.
View attachment IMG_3832.jpeg

Now, that cheese needs to get replaced. I used to like VA cheese and crackers but the current offering should be labelled “Tasteless” cheese.

Edit: forgot to mention that on neither flight was I offered water, tea/coffee.

Also not sure what’s happening with posting pictures?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Unfortunately it’s been that brand of cheese and crackers for well over a year… maybe closer to two or more? They are more tasty when allowed to warm to room temperature!

 

[juliusg]

MEL-SYD Friday evening. Departure delayed about 45 minutes. I diligently went to the gate when the app flashed up with “boarding” and joined the other gate lice while pilots were delayed coming from another flight. (Aside, I feel like I see more of this kind of crew-schedule related delay on VA than QF. Purely anecdotal though!).

Meal choices were honey soy chicken or gnocchi with optional chorizo. I went with the gnocchi because I’ve had it before and was decent. The gnocci was over cooked and too soft and a bit soggy, but still tasted good and was well plated in spite of what the CM had to work with.

CM seemed very new - eg reading PAs verbatim. So service was just the basics but fine and with a smile. It’s interesting to observe how all the little things that distinguish really good J service from merely average must evolve over time: eg proactively offering water on the meal tray when pax order an alcoholic drink; or offering tea or coffee when clearing trays; or the sixth sense some seem to have with when to walk through the cabin with wine bottles to offer top ups; or the art of small talk.

MEL-SYD Friday evening. Departure delayed about 45 minutes. I diligently went to the gate when the app flashed up with “boarding” and joined the other gate lice while pilots were delayed coming from another flight. (Aside, I feel like I see more of this kind of crew-schedule related delay on VA than QF. Purely anecdotal though!).

Meal choices were honey soy chicken or gnocchi with optional chorizo. I went with the gnocchi because I’ve had it before and was decent. The gnocci was over cooked and too soft and a bit soggy, but still tasted good and was well plated in spite of what the CM had to work with.

CM seemed very new - eg reading PAs verbatim. So service was just the basics but fine and with a smile. It’s interesting to observe how all the little things that distinguish really good J service from merely average must evolve over time: eg proactively offering water on the meal tray when pax order an alcoholic drink; or offering tea or coffee when clearing trays; or the sixth sense some seem to have with when to walk through the cabin with wine bottles to offer top ups; or the art of small talk.

 

[juliusg]

Third flight in a row offered beef Quesadilla (boring) so opted for the chick pea thing. Very ordinary. (Plated OK I tasted it before taking the photo). And yes the cheese is bland.

 

[encryptededdy]

SYD-MEL breakfast frittata. Quite underwhelming to be honest (the only other choice ran out before it go to me).

 

[The-Aviator]

14/07/24 | VA1537 | HBA to SYD

Heading home to Sydney on the 8:25pm flight on a Sunday night, great way to maximise a weekend in Hobart! No lounge at HBA and even the QF lounge was closed for the evening so the terminal was super busy; they did have some live music though which was nice and somewhat unexpected.

Boarding commenced roughly on time and we were warmly greeted by FA Elle and CM Bec after making our way to the aircraft through the cold, wind and rain. The crew were turning around with the aircraft having just arrived from Sydney and they mentioned the bumpy approach they'd had into Hobart. Within minutes of being seated Bec came over to offer my choice of PDB, I went with a sparkling wine.



Before long we were taxiing and after what felt like a faster-than-usual takeoff we were on our way. Y was full but there were just three solo travellers in the J cabin tonight so Bec took the time to sit with each of us and walk through the menu. Options were chicken with grain mustard, potato and vegetables or creamy vegetable korma with rice and optional tandoori chicken. To be honest both sounded great but I went with the mustard chicken and a Bundy and Coke to drink. Orders were taken and delivered in the traditional order of 1A, 1F, 2A. Presumably everyone got their first choice!



Close up of the main.



Any doubts about whether I had chosen the right dish were put to rest straight away as the chicken was delicious! I feel this is one flight where I would have been happy with both options. Ideally would be nice if the mains were just a bit larger though.

Top ups were offered after the meal service, the first drink was a bit stronger than I like but the second one was perfect!



Service from Bec was excellent from start to finish, she addressed each passenger by name and was super personable and friendly.

We arrived on time and parked at one of the few gates at Sydney without a jet bridge but were quickly on our way. Very pleased overall and now thanks to triple status credits I'm just a few credits short of requalifying for WP!

 

[MH_fan]

Had the mustard chicken on VA567 (SYD-PER) the other day. Agree with The-Aviator above. It was delicious! It was a great flight as CSM was engaging and proactive and offered snacks from the pantry later in the flight.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I had to check the dates of the last couple of posts… mustard chook is back? never went? it’s been around for a couple years now!

 

[The-Aviator]

I had to check the dates of the last couple of posts… mustard chook is back? never went? it’s been around for a couple years now!

You're right indeed! Had a look and turns out I've had it myself last year.

 

[ADFlyMore]

Flew ADL/MEL this morning at 8:20. Egg, bacon, crumpet and beans was my choice with a cinnamon apple cake bar. Was quite nice.