Virgin to offer Complimentary Food and Beverage MEL-SYD-BNE

[Noob]

The various 'levels' of inclusion and the quality and size of the offering could vary endlessly - it really is hard to tell until in full swing.

But I think this can be said....

- 3 years ago It was doubted that VA could change their staff culture to fit the new business model. Done.
- Then it was doubted that they could ever create a formidable FF program. Done.
- Then it was doubted that they would be able to create a competitive lounge proposition. Done.
- Then it was doubted that VA could ever offer a proper J service on transcontinental flights. Done.
- Then it was doubted that VA could operate a competitive J service on the triangle. Done.
- Then it was doubted that domestic J would work for VA. Done.
- Then it was doubted that they would ever make a dent on regional Australia. Done.
- Then it was doubted that they would be able to win large corporate accounts. Done.
- Then it was doubted that they would be able to survive the 'fare-war' with QF. Done.
- Then it was doubted that they would offer a competitive all inclusive f&b service on transcon. Done.
- Now it's doubted that VA will offer a competitive all inclusive f&b service on other domestic routes.......


Considering the last three years, I'd predict the trend to continue as they're obviously doing something right.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

May I ask why?

Yes you may.

I, however, can't answer as I'm not VA. The SYD-OOL before us was late (it left when ours was due to go) from our gate which resulted in ours having a gate change and being 20 min late so I'm half guessing the food may not have been boarded (although J was served and so too were the flexis). There was no weather to upset delivery but there was a new crew on our flight which I'm assuming were a stand-by crew as they all arrived 5 minutes after we were supposed to be in the air. Something happened but I'm not sure what.

 

[Must...Fly!]

The various 'levels' of inclusion and the quality and size of the offering could vary endlessly - it really is hard to tell until in full swing.

But I think this can be said....

- 3 years ago It was doubted that VA could change their staff culture to fit the new business model. Done.
- Then it was doubted that they could ever create a formidable FF program. Done.
- Then it was doubted that they would be able to create a competitive lounge proposition. Done.
- Then it was doubted that VA could ever offer a proper J service on transcontinental flights. Done.
- Then it was doubted that VA could operate a competitive J service on the triangle. Done.
- Then it was doubted that domestic J would work for VA. Done.
- Then it was doubted that they would ever make a dent on regional Australia. Done.
- Then it was doubted that they would be able to win large corporate accounts. Done.
- Then it was doubted that they would be able to survive the 'fare-war' with QF. Done.
- Then it was doubted that they would offer a competitive all inclusive f&b service on transcon. Done.
- Now it's doubted that VA will offer a competitive all inclusive f&b service on other domestic routes.......


Considering the last three years, I'd predict the trend to continue as they're obviously doing something right.

I'd like to see all that done without oil money from outside the country....

 

[robbie1984]

I'd like to see all that done without oil money from outside the country....

Probably with the other 80 odd percent that isn't 'oil' money. How much of Qantas' capital raising (1b+) in the last decade came from overseas share holders? Is there a real point to your comment?

If it wasn't EY providing so called oil money, it would have been other shareholders, like any publicly listed company would do.

 

[Must...Fly!]

Probably with the other 80 odd percent that isn't 'oil' money. How much of Qantas' capital raising (1b+) in the last decade came from overseas share holders? Is there a real point to your comment?

If it wasn't EY providing so called oil money, it would have been other shareholders, like any publicly listed company would do.

Far be it from me to decry VA at all, they have done a great job and have done nothing against the rules, I just don't think the rules are particularly fair in a supposedly free market. Probably going to take this thread off-topic with these comments, apologies if I started us off on a tangent...

 

[Fruitcake]

EDIT... way off topic.

 

[pauly7]

VA bimbois and bimbettes doing a full hot DINNER/drinks service in a full Y/C cabin on a SYD-MEL or SYD-BNE....cant' wait to see that!! :shock:

Although I wouldn't use those words you have hit on a point that VA are struggling with and it has been raised before.

Another poster mentioned the staff culture transition from LCC to full service was complete or 'done' but it is actually causing VA a bit of a headache and is definitely not 'done'!

Reason being that VA are adding layers of complexity to their staff jobs with every 'full service' initiative. But do remember the VA staff C&A is not as generous as QF and there has been a lot of grumbling about the 'extra work' they are supposed to be doing for the 'same pay'. Apparently communication about these roll outs is patchy and not operationally sound - more like a big idea that people have then rushed to try and commercialize (and we have seen the results of some patchy implementation as PAX).

JB has very publicly cleared a lot of the LCC deadwood at head office (Village) which needed to be done but even after that there has been wave after wave of redundancies there which has damaged morale significantly. On the front line there are several IR issues bubbling up and combined with a general belief that 'QF staff have it better than us' amongst the crew, is leading to quite an interesting ER space for JB to deal with over the next few years. For those who are more intimate with JB's strengths and weaknesses from the QF days may see some interesting patterns repeating now....

All of this top line info has come from the same BA I've quoted before on here to give insight into what is happening at VA before. Nothing specific enough to cause any problems, but a peek under the hood nonetheless

 

[LovemyCC]

Do we really need to eat on a 90 minute flight? Is it any wonder why the western world is overweight. Just water would be fine for me.

Flight attendents will have difficult rolling out the food to everyone in time and then collecting the waste.

 

[JohnK]

Do we really need to eat on a 90 minute flight? Is it any wonder why the western world is overweight. Just water would be fine for me.

Maybe you dont but others do.

I leave my apartment in Brisbane ~4:00pm and I am home in SYD ~10:00pm-11:00pm. I dont really have lunch on a Friday so when should I have dinner?

 

[aupirate]

Maybe you dont but others do.

I leave my apartment in Brisbane ~4:00pm and I am home in SYD ~10:00pm-11:00pm. I dont really have lunch on a Friday so when should I have dinner?

Maybe in the VA lounge I'm told they do a great hotdog. Not sure myself haven't been game enough to try one...

 

[under the radar]

Maybe you dont but others do.

I leave my apartment in Brisbane ~4:00pm and I am home in SYD ~10:00pm-11:00pm. I dont really have lunch on a Friday so when should I have dinner?

all i read is "I...i...i...i" ....that's your issue...not the airlines...so many people live so many various lives..working hours span 24/7 in various 'configurations'....one persons 'dinner time' can be another persons 'breakfast time'..etc...at the end of the day an airline (or indeed any food outlet or business in general!!!) cant please all the people all the time

 

[JohnK]

Maybe in the VA lounge I'm told they do a great hotdog. Not sure myself haven't been game enough to try one...

That is fine when they are on the menu. What happens when the vegetarian fried rice is there?

...at the end of the day an airline (or indeed any food outlet or business in general!!!) cant please all the people all the time

Qantas provides food now. If you dont want to eat just say no when they tray comes around.

If Virgin wants to compete with Qantas then they need to provide that option otherwise remain a LCC.

And for those that think if food was not included the price of the airfare is going to decrease by ~$8-$12 then you are sadly mistaken.

 

[Bjet]

Maybe in the VA lounge I'm told they do a great hotdog. Not sure myself haven't been game enough to try one...

Those sausages are too cheap!! You can find them at the low-frill supermarket and BBQ in public for charity. Red skin with meat inside. It's not a great hotdog!

Just saw on new about virgin Australia's trial free inflight meal presentation. It has got a light food - cupcake, fruit and roll... don't remember others. Bear in mind, it's for SYD-MEL and SYD-BNE. No free meal on MEL-BNE.

 

[777]

I'd like to see all that done without oil money from outside the country....

Bloody Kiwis with their massive oil riches!

 

[Clivem]

I'd like to see all that done without oil money from outside the country....

Welcome to the real world ..........

 

[cavemanzk]

Bloody Kiwis with their massive oil riches!

Well if that share holder, ups it take in VA anymore plus takes a seat on the board. I think we can say goodbye to the idea of free meals on domestic. After all they are the full service airline, that charges extra for meals of flight up to 10hours long.

 

[day_mee]

Well if that share holder, ups it take in VA anymore plus takes a seat on the board. I think we can say goodbye to the idea of free meals on domestic. After all they are the full service airline, that charges extra for meals of flight up to 10hours long.

It's very simplistic to assume that NZ will not adjust their tactics in Australia considering the competition. Think what you want about NZ but the airline is very well run, is generally well-liked by their home market even though it essentially runs a monopoly especially on regional routes, and has served up reasonable profits over the past few years in a challenging environment.

 

[cavemanzk]

It's very simplistic to assume that NZ will not adjust their tactics in Australia considering the competition. Think what you want about NZ but the airline is very well run, is generally well-liked by their home market even though it essentially runs a monopoly especially on regional routes, and has served up reasonable profits over the past few years in a challenging environment.

NZ is very tactical in the way it help breakdown the competition, they will match there product. Until the moment the competition has to make cut backs or stop services all together. Pre Ansett New Zealand, meals weren't offered on domestic services in New Zealand. So claim back its market, NZ started hot meals, add lounges, added air-bridges etc. Once Qantas New Zealand (ex Ansett New Zealand) went bust, NZ reverted a lot of the enhancements they had started to combat Ansett.

 

[serfty]

It's very simplistic to assume that NZ will not adjust their tactics in Australia considering the competition. Think what you want about NZ but the airline is very well run, is generally well-liked by their home market even though it essentially runs a monopoly especially on regional routes, and has served up reasonable profits over the past few years in a challenging environment.

it's well run for it's shareholders.

They do have a virtual monopoly and exploit it.

Their Airpoints program has been decimated, especially if you are not a NZ resident.

I am gold elite for another 6 months and that is only due to "banked" year status.

 

[pauly7]

It's very simplistic to assume that NZ will not adjust their tactics in Australia considering the competition. Think what you want about NZ but the airline is very well run, is generally well-liked by their home market even though it essentially runs a monopoly especially on regional routes, and has served up reasonable profits over the past few years in a challenging environment.

Yes running a monopoly is challenging... Poor old NZ. If they venture too far out of their playground (again) I'm sure the government will pick up the pieces (again).