Virgin Food [Flexi Fare]

[JohnK]

I am flying OOL-SYD-MEL next week on a flexi fare in the evening. What should I expect?

 

[kevrosmith]

I am flying OOL-SYD-MEL next week on a flexi fare in the evening. What should I expect?

Everyone gets a snack on VA SYD-MEL these days, don't they? Not sure about OOL-SYD any more... I thought a Flexi fare entitled you to something to eat and drink... just how substantial that "something" is, I'm not sure.

 

[JohnK]

Everyone gets a snack on VA SYD-MEL these days, don't they? Not sure about OOL-SYD any more... I thought a Flexi fare entitled you to something to eat and drink... just how substantial that "something" is, I'm not sure.

I don't know what Virgin does these days. Service appears to be very inconsistent.

SYD-MEL is a late flight outside of the 8:00pm window.

 

[serfty]

I am flying OOL-SYD-MEL next week on a flexi fare in the evening. What should I expect?

40 status credits ...

 

[JohnK]

40 status credits ...

It is actually 80 SCs.

 

[serfty]

It is actually 80 SCs.

Oh! It's a return flexi ...

 

[Jurahn]

I am flying OOL-SYD-MEL next week on a flexi fare in the evening. What should I expect?

Don't know about OOL-SYD-MEL, but on MEL-OOL return flexis at the beginning of March (late afternoon flight up, mid-morning flight back), all we received was the rather pathetic offering of couple of crackers and a piece of cheese, with tea/coffee/juice/water.

 

[anat0l]

all we received was the rather pathetic offering of couple of crackers and a piece of cheese, with tea/coffee/juice/water.

Guess that's better than nothing!

 

[Jurahn]

Guess that's better than nothing!

To be honest, to have the flight attendant announce "oh yes, you're on flexi fares" and then to be handed such a meagre offering was almost embarrassing - our thoughts were pretty much "why on earth did they bother?", it's almost an insult to go from previously providing a meal (or at the very least, a substantial snack) to giving out something like that. At least if it had been a muesli bar or a muffin or something similar as others seem to be receiving (even on shorter flights), that would have been something, but two skinny little crackers? Not impressed at all.

 

[anat0l]

To be honest, to have the flight attendant announce "oh yes, you're on flexi fares" and then to be handed such a meagre offering was almost embarrassing - our thoughts were pretty much "why on earth did they bother?", it's almost an insult to go from previously providing a meal (or at the very least, a substantial snack) to giving out something like that. At least if it had been a muesli bar or a muffin or something similar as others seem to be receiving (even on shorter flights), that would have been something, but two skinny little crackers? Not impressed at all.

One cracker would have been an insult (akin to leaving a penny tip in the USA).

Do Flexis now get the same food as the rest who get the new complimentary fare? Seems like a backwards step since most of the Flexis used to get wraps (albeit of various quality and taste)?

I don't know if a muesli bar or muffin necessarily "trumps" two crackers and a piece of cheese. But, I did forget the title of this thread so was only thinking of those who previously received naught but tea/coffee/water for free and now get something for free. For the Flexis... that's getting tough (combined with rising prices...)

Flexis should probably get at least a different, more substantial item to eat, or perhaps inflight credit to use for buy on board.

 

[serfty]

...
Flexis should probably get at least a different, more substantial item to eat, or perhaps inflight credit to use for buy on board.

They don't on QF so I guess there's one less level of competition differential.

 

[JohnK]

Oh! It's a return flexi ...

No. It is a one-way flexi. The return is a cheap MEL-OOL.

 

[serfty]

No. It is a one-way flexi. The return is a cheap MEL-OOL.

So you have double SC's?

https://www.velocityfrequentflyer.com/content/Earn/StatusCredits/index.htm

 

[JohnK]

So you have double SC's?

Yes. I lowered my standards and cheated.

 

[a330j]

Don't expect much in the way of food/catering on this or other eastern seaboard flights. If you are hungry grab something to eat beforehand, maybe in the lounge. If you do get something extra, treat it as a pleasant surprise.

 

[JohnK]

Don't expect much in the way of food/catering on this or other eastern seaboard flights. If you are hungry grab something to eat beforehand, maybe in the lounge. If you do get something extra, treat it as a pleasant surprise.

Thanks. I will grab something in the lounge.

I am trying really hard to work out how anyone can say Virgin has their act together and is better than Qantas. Everything I see is the complete opposite. Am I being biased?

 

[bullerdude]

Hang on when did this change???

All Economy guests receive a selection of complimentary beverages on all Virgin Australia flights. In addition we also offer a selection of complimentary beer, cider and wine on flights departing between 5pm and 7pm, Monday to Friday between Australian mainland capital cities and other selected routes.

I'm sure it used to be 4pm to 7pm???

 

[bullerdude]

As has Flexi been updated to only included drinks between 5pm and 7pm.

Flexi guests receive a complimentary snack and beverages – including complimentary beer, cider, wine and soft drinks on flights with a schedule departure time between 5pm and 7pm, Monday to Friday.

 

[a330j]

Its been so long since I flew Qantas I couldn't honestly say. However looking at the VA website, it seems the only difference between saver (with luggage) and flexi fares is that flexi fares have "flexibility".

 

[JohnK]

Hang on when did this change???

I'm sure it used to be 4pm to 7pm???

As has Flexi been updated to only included drinks between 5pm and 7pm.

Very sneaky. Qantas has all the attention and Virgin thought people wouldn't notice.