Virgin Lounge Food

[OzEire]

Has anyone ever made a decision to take a particular airline/flight based on the food offering (lounge or onboard) as the major reason? I reckon the airlines are betting that customers will decide on other factors (cost, convenience, status) and that food is a loooong way down their list. Hence, it is also get low on the airline list of priorities.

They only need to provide something resembling food to claim "full service", hell the marketers can show a J class meal "designed by" some notable chef and customers will assume this is the standard offering ... The muesli bar is cheap and by the time you see it they already have your cash. My 2c worth.

Ps. AFFers might not be representative of the wider population.

 

[anat0l]

Has anyone ever made a decision to take a particular airline/flight based on the food offering (lounge or onboard) as the major reason?

Yes. When considering my flight home, I would often try and time it for dinner. That's also when they have the best offerings in the lounge.

But that's me and this forum, and knowing about all the dynamics of flight and lounge meal offerings.

If I'd had enough of the day, food or not I'd just want to get on the first flight home.

Flying in J rather than Y does make the decision overall a bit more fluid since in 85% of cases the onboard offering should be sufficient even if the lounge is not.

 

[Milefest]

Food is important but not a deal breaker, ultimately I want to get from point A to B as fast and efficiently as possible. A decent food offering is a convenience I appreciate though.

 

[aaronm]

Received a survey from a flight on Friday and told them what I thought of the mini muesli bar

I have given similar feedback on that particularly miserly "snack".

What's next -a single Fantale?

 

[Milefest]

What's next -a single Fantale?

Don't give them any ideas....

 

[esquire]

I can advise that yes it is a significant consideration for at least 15 of my work team. Virgin is roughly the same price for our travel system - usually only $1-2 between them since QF came to the discount party (VA did not).
But when staff started claiming drinks and food on board (and airports) when flying VA (and the extra paperwork in doing this) - it quickly shifted many (and I mean more than 100 flights in the last 2-3 months) to QF.

Of course, when flying for personal reasons I know many of my staff (and myself included) now factor food/drink and VA or QF lounge access when looking at overall costs whereas previously it was overlooked.

 

[Muppet501st]

Beef Stir fry in the BNE lounge last night, quite tasty and a nice alternative to soup or toasties

 

[JohnK]

Beef and black bean soup in the SYD lounge last night.

 

[Justinf]

I'm a bit embarrassed to admit that I chose VA one time because their Lounge bar opens at 11am whereas the QP doesn't open until noon.
To be fair I was on a footy boys weekend.

 

[Mattg]

They had hotdogs in the SYD VA lounge a few days ago.

 

[pauly7]

They had hotdogs in the SYD VA lounge a few days ago.

Oh god really? Hot Doggate is back...

 

[JohnK]

Oh god really? Hot Doggate is back...

Can it be worse than beef and black bean soup? Isn't it supposed to be a stir fry not a soup?

 

[Blackswan]

Oh god really? Hot Doggate is back...

Can confirm they're back. Had one in SYD on Monday night, only because they hadn't replenished the soup or the salads. Bun was stale.

Absolutely embarrassing for VA to be serving this sort of thing in their lounge.

 

[bean]

Can confirm they're back. Had one in SYD on Monday night, only because they hadn't replenished the soup or the salads. Bun was stale.

Absolutely embarrassing for VA to be serving this sort of thing in their lounge.

lol I actually like the hotdogs, though they are basically the $1 hotdogs you would get from 7/11 They need more party pies, sausage rolls, quiches etc

 

[Milefest]

Bun was stale.

This is regularly the case with their bread in general too. It's always crusty...

 

[anat0l]

This is regularly the case with their bread in general too. It's always crusty...

At least with the bread, there is a toaster.

I guess you could try to pop the hot dog buns in the toaster too...

 

[JohnK]

Absolutely embarrassing for VA to be serving this sort of thing in their lounge.
View attachment 80196

That looks really nice. Hope there's some in SYD this afternoon.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Bun was stale.

The buns were always stale and hard when they had them a few years back ... perhaps they're the same recycled buns!

 

[ap_spd]

The only few things worth having in the lounge

1. Barista made coffee
2. The mixed nut offering
3. Biscuit served alongside the coffee
4. Ohh and occasional bacon

The new style of egg making (not sure if its boiled or poached) cant even understand what it is, so wont recommend, it was on for breakfast in SYD yesterday.

Anything else in the lounge is dont bother... I use premium entry in Sydney to avoid the time spent standing in security, other than that.... race to bottom is WON.

 

[PDog]

The only few things worth having in the lounge

1. Barista made coffee
2. The mixed nut offering
3. Biscuit served alongside the coffee
4. Ohh and occasional bacon

The new style of egg making (not sure if its boiled or poached) cant even understand what it is, so wont recommend, it was on for breakfast in SYD yesterday.

Anything else in the lounge is dont bother... I use premium entry in Sydney to avoid the time spent standing in security, other than that.... race to bottom is WON.

And, the muesli is excellent