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

[cavemanzk]

Well now that I'm semi-regularly commuting on Air Niugini and often in a 737-800, I can say the meals served are in fact really acceptable, HOT and tasty. If PX can manage it, surely it just shows VA are being belligerent and/or condescending by continuing to palm off muesli bars or inedible cold wraps as their alternative.

Bare in mind that airlines chose they own galley options at time of ordering, when most of VA 738 where ordered they would have never planed hot meals for passengers. Where as from the start Air Niugini would have planned hot meals, hence they installing galleys with the right amount of ovens.

Anyone know how many ovens they installed in the new 738s over the older ones?

 

[markis10]

Bare in mind that airlines chose they own galley options at time of ordering, when most of VA 738 where ordered they would have never planed hot meals for passengers. Where as from the start Air Niugini would have planned hot meals, hence they installing galleys with the right amount of ovens.

Anyone know how many ovens they installed in the new 738s over the older ones?

Air Nuigini would have taken what they got given their aircraft are secondhand. The oven issue is probably a good reason why the rollout is slow, with twenty odd aircraft still in the fleet in LCC config.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Bare in mind that airlines chose they own galley options at time of ordering, when most of VA 738 where ordered they would have never planed hot meals for passengers. Where as from the start Air Niugini would have planned hot meals, hence they installing galleys with the right amount of ovens.

A very fair point. However, we the VA flyer base were not consulted about the change. That was made by JB himself I believe and DJ did not order their old planes with J seating either......they retrofitted them and the new ones (BSIs) surely were ordered with the J seating config?? If they can order new planes with business and retrofit the older ones then they can alter the galleys to suit the product they are now charging all of us for. I guess it's the difference between having a big vision and being able to implement it smoothly to the alternative of doing a half baked job of it (pun intended). Now we hear of yet another inconsistancy, that being the golden triangle meals (maybe). I am a fairly regular VA FFer and even I get confused as to what I'm supposed to get, especially when I fly a slightly different sector than normal. How is the average punter supposed to have any idea about what to expect without spending hours trawling through T&Cs..........I'd wager the answer is most still view the VA economy product as LCC and anything over and above that is a bonus, but hardly full service (which I think is the drop zone they're attempting to hit).

EDIT - PX economy still have blankets and pillows as well. In fact I was very surprised at how the "romance" was still with their product rather than needing to return it

 

[markis10]

A very fair point. However, we the VA flyer base were not consulted about the change. That was made by JB himself I believe and DJ did not order their old planes with J seating either......they retrofitted them and the new ones (BSIs) surely were ordered with the J seating config?? If they can order new planes with business and retrofit the older ones then they can alter the galleys to suit the product they are now charging all of us for. I guess it's the difference between having a big vision and being able to implement it smoothly to the alternative of doing a half baked job of it (pun intended). Now we hear of yet another inconsistancy, that being the golden triangle meals (maybe). I am a fairly regular VA FFer and even I get confused as to what I'm supposed to get, especially when I fly a slightly different sector than normal. How is the average punter supposed to have any idea about what to expect without spending hours trawling through T&Cs..........I'd wager the answer is most still view the VA economy product as LCC and anything over and above that is a bonus, but hardly full service (which I think is the drop zone they're attempting to hit).

EDIT - PX economy still have blankets and pillows as well. In fact I was very surprised at how the "romance" was still with their product rather than needing to return it

Making changes to the galleys require the aircraft to be re-certified, changing the aircraft interior re seats does not! Big difference in $$$$.

 

[cavemanzk]

Making changes to the galleys require the aircraft to be re-certified, changing the aircraft interior re seats does not! Big difference in $$$$.

Add to the cost the possibility of moving the rear bathrooms to allow the storage of more galley carts and the loss of another row of seating.

 

[Fruitcake]

If VA's 737 fleet as currently equipped can carry a full complement of hot meals for flights to DPS, NAN and SYD/MEL/BNE-PER - then surely they can manage to carry enough for the golden triangle?

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Making changes to the galleys require the aircraft to be re-certified, changing the aircraft interior re seats does not! Big difference in $$$$.

Add to the cost the possibility of moving the rear bathrooms to allow the storage of more galley carts and the loss of another row of seating.

Whilst what both of you say may well be fact (I've no idea), that's not the point. VA decided to make the change to a full service ariline, the aircraft can be retrofitted to suit, they most certainly would have done their costing to do so.....but they've failed to fully implement the change after almost 2 years. Perhaps that's OK and perhaps it's not but one would assume it would have been better to make all changes to the aircraft as each were taken off line to retrofit the J class, or perhaps they expected QF to drop to their new Y level of offering??

 

[DGW]

If VA's 737 fleet as currently equipped can carry a full complement of hot meals for flights to DPS, NAN and SYD/MEL/BNE-PER - then surely they can manage to carry enough for the golden triangle?

Does anyone think it's likely they will be offering hot meals on the triangle though? Does QF do this? I'd be very surprised, and think it's more likely everyone will receive something along the lines of the Flexi meal (which means no mucking around with trays, next to no prep time, no ovens required etc).

My uneducated 2c anyway.

 

[markis10]

Whilst what both of you say may well be fact (I've no idea), that's not the point. VA decided to make the change to a full service ariline, the aircraft can be retrofitted to suit, they most certainly would have done their costing to do so.....but they've failed to fully implement the change after almost 2 years. Perhaps that's OK and perhaps it's not but one would assume it would have been better to make all changes to the aircraft as each were taken off line to retrofit the J class, or perhaps they expected QF to drop to their new Y level of offering??

I believe VA are moving in the direction of meals etc on all services but they are not on the record of saying so nor do they give a timeline, so impatience is probably uncalled for in that respect. I am not aware of to many airlines that have redone the galleys, and I doubt VA have budgeted for that nor do they intend to go down that route, but rather they will cater for the need with new aircraft as required, of the twenty or so left a significant portion are ditch flyers, where no changes can be expected, so the transition to meals would seem to be timely now.

VA have stated their strategy and stuck to it despite some good "failure to launch" episodes such as the various catering stuff ups, by comparison their competition has been caught short on many occasion across various divisions mainly due to their "resting on laurels aka domestic market share" and a multitude of strategy changes. We live in interesting times.

 

[Standby]

Perhaps connected or co-incidental,I caught up with my TA in town this morning for a coffee and drop off a bottle of something for all the efforts this year. He pointed out VA had snuck in fare increases overnight on most Dom routes for sale today with travel
from the end of Jan. On the Eastcoast the Y increase range ~$5-10 across most fares . That should cover the cost of a muesli bar or a wrap.

 

[cavemanzk]

If VA's 737 fleet as currently equipped can carry a full complement of hot meals for flights to DPS, NAN and SYD/MEL/BNE-PER - then surely they can manage to carry enough for the golden triangle?

Its more the fact that its not always the most economical to have to load catering every sector, it some sectors double catering (loading the return sectors catering on the outbound flight) works out cheaper than sourcing catering at the remote port.

 

[Guru1]

I will give you a bit of insider information regarding VA ( My girl is Crew)

VA: 2 ovens at the back. Transcon meals are heated in two batches, at 20 mins a cycle. (impossible to achieve on flights less than 2 hours)
QF: 4 ovens at the back. All meals are heated at the same time. (and do not provide hot meals on SYD-MEL-BNE flights anyway)

VA: has two less full cart spaces and 4 x storage boxes than QF between the crew seat and lav's
QF: has configured there aircraft with their lav's further in the cabin, allowing for more storage space for extras carts at storage boxes.

same goes for Business class. QF have larger galleys, full carts (not 1/2 carts like VA with bigger ovens.


You will never get hot meals on VA with flights less than 2 hours. There is not enough time to split heat meals, nor is the crew compliment the same as QF.

The BSI aircraft are configured exactly the same as the older aircraft, infact most of the older 800's have 4 ovens down the back, the BSI's all only have 2.
They will struggle with anything more than the same kind of service which is offered on the capital CBR , as there is simply not the space to do so. as many ports are non catered, or have limited catering facilities and there would not be enough for return catering.


I very doubt VA will be spending millions reconfiguring near new aeroplanes moving galleys, lavatories and losing seats, and having to add an additional crew member, when there is very little return on investment, to provide hot meals on flights less than 1.5 hours.


I hope VA don't start adding additional work load to there already tired and worn out crew. Otherwise they wont have any, from what ive heard. It aint pretty.

 

[markis10]

QF do hot meals on the triangle.

 

[Bundy Bear]

On Monday I flew MEL-BNE on a flexi fare.

I think there was a $20.00 difference between the Saver and the flexi.
The differences being extra bag, (being Gold I could check in 1 extra), the extra Status credits, the flexibility in changing the booking and the included meal which was a sandwich a drink and a nuts/package mix.

I probably would have still selected flexi even if everyone received a meal.

It is surprising that airlines around the world are cutting food but in Australia Virgin want to add food. I liked the inclusion of tea/coffee and or water, that is a great benefit, on the food side I probably could take it or leave it, the sandwich was ok but the nut mix I hated. A few years ago I was talking to a staff member who at a company that provided catering to the airlines and she was surprised how much food was wasted.

As a Virgin Gold when selecting a seat I couldn't get any further forward than row 8, and I am not sure why when working on the seat selection algorithm fare class didn't come into it, which would make it a little easier for staff to give out the meals to those who were on a flexi ticket.

Not sure if this has been mentioned here on AFF.

VA currently need 5 crew for flights under 1hr50 due to the several service flows required in such a short timeframe, those being J, flexi fares and then PAYG.

By switching to an all included service flow you can serve economy all in one go, giving VA the flexibility to go back to 4 crew on the 737.

The Qantas evening meals on flights between 6:00pm and 8:00pm are nice but at other times it seems to be a bit hit and miss.

If they are going to include food on flights less than 3 hours then make it something small, just a sandwich or roll type thing would be good, but I rather less than more.

I guess one thing is make it consistent between regional and main line, although with such a big range of flights from 1 hour to 5hour 30 minutes, food offerings are going to be different.

Having the soft drink and alcohol for purchase is still a good idea, even on afternoon flights for flights less than 3 hours.

Hopefully Virgin Australia have had enough experience and details on providing food for the different services and times they can work out what to serve and thus make it easier for the cabin crew, but most people realize that airlines are going to provide less than more so to me that is the standard.

In the news recently there was a comments recently about the amount of food wastage, but also when you give out more food then you need to provide extra catering services like cleaning and other such things which will take more time.

Ok I get down off my soap box and I hope Virgin get the mix right, just leave out that nut mix.

 

[under the radar]

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:

 

[777]

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:

Wouldn't giving identical meals to everyone actually be easier than the status quo of individual service for every passenger?

It might seem tricky to you but it's hardly rocket surgery...

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Wouldn't giving identical meals to everyone actually be easier than the status quo of individual service for every passenger?

I would have thought that as well. Easier service, faster routine.

On my SYD-OOL flight Sunday arvo, there was no cart service. Flexis were handed out but that was it, not even water for the rest of us plebs!

 

[Bofter]

rocket surgery...

That sounds like a pretty challenging mix that would trump even these guys Brain Surgeon - That Mitchell & Webb Look , Series 3 - BBC Two - YouTube

 

[JohnK]

On my SYD-OOL flight Sunday arvo, there was no cart service. Flexis were handed out but that was it, not even water for the rest of us plebs!

May I ask why?

 

[under the radar]

let's just wait n see...as a side note...will VA introduce 'special' dietary options to pre order on its 'complimentary' F&B domestic flights?? or will it be a case of 'so sad..too bad'?? QF offers a few 'special' dietary options on domestic flights to pre order on lunch/dinner (must admit im not sure about 'refreshment' flights)