Virgin Food [Flexi Fare]

[lovestotravel]

I have said it again and again, ditch the $$$$ spent on using Luke's name, although the $$ would have already been paid...

In any case, get some decent breakfasts happening

1. One of those small boxes of cereal, with a small container of low-fat milk
2. Small container of fruit salad
3. Low fat youghurt
4. Orange juice
5. Muffin (low-fat)

 

[moa999]

Got a beef wrap tonight as flexi on bne-syd, plus choc cake and the apple raspberry mix.
Business looked like the pie

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I have said it again and again, ditch the $$$$ spent on using Luke's name,

I must admit I agree with this. What do people want? A a name brand that fails, or an unknown that's satisfyingly workable?

I think this has a lot to do with the J class integration.....the concept that "important people" will only buy brand names.

I'm neither a J class flyer nor an important person, so I guess my vote doesn't really count.

 

[snoophound]

Another masterpiece of inedibility
A spinach and ricotta savory which was both dry and ice cold and popcorn
I had to order two drinks just to get the first moutful down.
Looking around me at least two thirds didnt eat any of this and the guy opposite me sent it back and demanded cheese and biscuits.
Hosties looked embarrassed as usual.

 

[Ausbt]

Secondly please Mr hero chef go and teach the lounge crews how to make soup.

With so many restaurants closing these days I'd say Luke is lucky to have the VA gig. Personally, I often pocket his sambos and eat them during the day. I kept one of his egg-and-lettuce for two days and fried it up in a toasted sambo-maker, it held up pretty good really.

 

[random111]

I can't stand virgin's on-board food offer.

I find comparing virgin economy to qantas economy is like comparing apples to oranges at the moment. Both have their pro's and con's.

If virgin can just make a couple of further improvements, they will be the winner in my books.

 

[Cyberon]

Poor Luke Mangan. Not one of his better career decisions putting his name on VA's menu IMO. I don't even know who the guy is, but given the food I am forced to stomach on a weekly basis, I am not sure I want to know who he is! I cannot tell you how many times I have immediately handed the entire meal untouched to the person next to me with the words "would you like this?". It’s amazing to me that 95% of the time they don't want it - even when it's free! Time for a few new menu items.

ha. I was tempted to pass on the wrap as well, but I guess some people were too polite to accept it.

I must admit I agree with this. What do people want? A a name brand that fails, or an unknown that's satisfyingly workable?

I think this has a lot to do with the J class integration.....the concept that "important people" will only buy brand names.

I'm neither a J class flyer nor an important person, so I guess my vote doesn't really count.

I'd rather have food that tastes good than something that doesn't but is endorsed by a celebrity chef. As Gordon Ramsay frequently puts it to his apprentices "Did you even taste what you prepared?", in which they shake their heads, I'm sure if Luke tried one of his wraps he would also agree it was dry and awful, but yet they keep on selling it. I guess they must have thought it would 'do' and would make money regardless.

I think these days it's just not good enough to have a good brand for food, it has to be decent.
Brings to mind Darrell Lea chocolate. I've always felt it was decidedly below average, just a generic sweet taste without any of the characteristics and flavour of real chocolate. Brand recognition yes, but I suspect the general public are more sophisticated these days.

 

[jjsyd]

Has anyone had experiences with Flexi food on BNE-DPS-BNE? I'm travelling to indonesia for work next week and noticed that trans-tasman flights seem to get a better deal than other international short-haul sectors. I'll be a little bit annoyed if I end up with a wrap and no wine on a 6.5 hour flight but BNE-AKL will get's the lot!

"On Trans Tasman flights guests receive a gourmet hot meal accompanied by extras including fresh fruit, ice cream, chocolates and cakes/slices. We also extend our Flexi offering on these flights to include complimentary beer, wine, soft drinks and juices all day. On other short haul international sectors Flexi guests receive a gourmet meal incorporating signature Luke Mangan items and beverages – including complimentary beer and wine on flights departing after 4pm."

 

[jaspon]

Has anyone had experiences with Flexi food on BNE-DPS-BNE? I'm travelling to indonesia for work next week and noticed that trans-tasman flights seem to get a better deal than other international short-haul sectors. I'll be a little bit annoyed if I end up with a wrap and no wine on a 6.5 hour flight but BNE-AKL will get's the lot!

Sorry to be the the bearer of bad news, but the BNE-DPS meal is the same as any other flexi fare food during the same departure time. eg, the same meal you would get BNE-SYD if departing at the same time.
I think at the moment, its a beef and mustard wrap + nuts + chocolate bar plus non alcoholic drinks
No alcohol is provided unless departing after 4pm.

Obviously you don't buy a flexi fare for the food but in my opinion the flexi fare on this route is not worth it

 

[jjsyd]

Sorry to be the the bearer of bad news, but the BNE-DPS meal is the same as any other flexi fare food during the same departure time. eg, the same meal you would get BNE-SYD if departing at the same time.
I think at the moment, its a beef and mustard wrap + nuts + chocolate bar plus non alcoholic drinks
No alcohol is provided unless departing after 4pm.

Obviously you don't buy a flexi fare for the food but in my opinion the flexi fare on this route is not worth it

Oh well, I just paid to upgrade to Business for this sector so hopefully that's a bit better

 

[snoophound]

I wonder if the powers that be incl Mr Borgman or his apparatchiks read these forums.
If i was Mr Mangan I would be embarassed to put my name on this cough.
Clearly the free travel he gets in return he is able to degrade his own brand.
The worst is

1.no choices on flights only one flexi fare meal type is avail
2.the afternoon flights syd gc where you get what is dramaticly misnamed a gourmet salad.
It is rubbish
Last three flights first three rows 3,4 5 all said no thanks.
Sometimes if you ask for a sandwich they will give you one if you are platinum.
But last couple of flights I had been informed they arent allowed too,.
Comment from the poor flight attendants was we get complaints all the time,they dont listen to us.

ha. I was tempted to pass on the wrap as well, but I guess some people were too polite to accept it.




I'd rather have food that tastes good than something that doesn't but is endorsed by a celebrity chef. As Gordon Ramsay frequently puts it to his apprentices "Did you even taste what you prepared?", in which they shake their heads, I'm sure if Luke tried one of his wraps he would also agree it was dry and awful, but yet they keep on selling it. I guess they must have thought it would 'do' and would make money regardless.

I think these days it's just not good enough to have a good brand for food, it has to be decent.
Brings to mind Darrell Lea chocolate. I've always felt it was decidedly below average, just a generic sweet taste without any of the characteristics and flavour of real chocolate. Brand recognition yes, but I suspect the general public are more sophisticated these days.

 

[EuroFlyer]

I wonder if the powers that be incl Mr Borgman or his apparatchiks read these forums.
If i was Mr Mangan I would be embarassed to put my name on this cough.
Clearly the free travel he gets in return he is able to degrade his own brand.
The worst is

1.no choices on flights only one flexi fare meal type is avail
2.the afternoon flights syd gc where you get what is dramaticly misnamed a gourmet salad.
It is rubbish
Last three flights first three rows 3,4 5 all said no thanks.
Sometimes if you ask for a sandwich they will give you one if you are platinum.
But last couple of flights I had been informed they arent allowed too,.
Comment from the poor flight attendants was we get complaints all the time,they dont listen to us.

Absolutely the flexi "meal" is rubbish. Its the same old thing of a horrible wrap and some nuts and some small sweet. For a fare thats sometimes up to $400 for example from Ade - Mel to get this as the meal is a joke. Flew lastnight and took the meal but just had the nuts and small sweet with it. dont fly QF much so not sure if there 'meal' is any better.

very poor really

 

[quick_dry]

If I had to say something positive about those awful cheese biscuit things they give out to flexi MEL-CBR & CBR-SYD flights, it's that they increased camaraderie on one CBR-SYD as row-mates engaged in shared disgust over the morsels.

(I'm not a fussy eater and usually enjoy plane food, but not those cheese biscuits)

 

[oz_mark]

Absolutely the flexi "meal" is rubbish. Its the same old thing of a horrible wrap and some nuts and some small sweet. For a fare thats sometimes up to $400 for example from Ade - Mel to get this as the meal is a joke. Flew lastnight and took the meal but just had the nuts and small sweet with it. dont fly QF much so not sure if there 'meal' is any better.

I am not sure that Virgin ever actually cal their offering a meal, and it seems to stay the same across the day. If you fly Qantas during meal times (on ADL-MEL) , then there is a chance you will get something 'hot' and approaching what might be called a meal. If you fly in 'refreshment' times, then the pickings are quite slim.

 

[EuroKick]

I actually don't mind the pasta dish they serve. It's a tad heavy, but still pretty good.

 

[KCMil]

I don't like the flexi meals either, though I have never been given any choice in meal on QF either. And generally I can pick at the snacks in the flexi if the sandwich / wrap / salad doesn't suit!

Definitely a need for some more creative menu ideas and variety through the network. Though I'd not copy QF's menu either.

 

[DJVA]

I had a flight to OOL (from MEL) a couple of days ago on flexi and was really, really impressed with the breakfast.

It was bircher muesli but it was with apple and it was surprisingly delicious! Really flavourful with cinnamon etc. It also came with a pretty large slice of banana bread which was also pretty good - especially for food in the air.

For those familiar with Cafe Vue at MEL, I'd love to see VA do something like they do with their sandwiches. 'Classic' and gourmet combinations on really good bread. Much better than a stale wrap. Or alternatively they can get into bed with KFC like that Japanese airline (joking!)

 

[bullerdude]

I had a flight to OOL (from MEL) a couple of days ago on flexi and was really, really impressed with the breakfast.

It was bircher muesli but it was with apple and it was surprisingly delicious! Really flavourful with cinnamon etc. It also came with a pretty large slice of banana bread which was also pretty good - especially for food in the air.

For those familiar with Cafe Vue at MEL, I'd love to see VA do something like they do with their sandwiches. 'Classic' and gourmet combinations on really good bread. Much better than a stale wrap. Or alternatively they can get into bed with KFC like that Japanese airline (joking!)

Interesting, perhaps this could be the start of a new flexi food offering??

 

[mella2007]

I refuse to pay for a Flexi fare when they continue to offer up this cough. I'd rather buy a packet of Pringles if I'm in Y then eat anything that has Luke Mangled name to it.

 

[serfty]

I only purchase a fexi fare in order to upgrade - in fact I have never actually flown "Flexi" as booked (always Q or Z) .

(Tip, Generally MEL-OOL flexis are about 60-70% the cost of MEL-BNE flexi's).