There was talk a while ago about Virgin upgrading their catering, but I haven't seen anything since. I had 3 flights over Christmas with them, 2 econ and 1 business and I can certainly say the catering, especially economy, is substandard. I was also unable to find meal times. Of 2 flights, I would have expected a proper meal.
8AM Economy Melbourne to Canberra - A small biscuit. Small shortbread. Is this supposed to be breakfast?
3:30PM Economy Melbourne to Gold Coast - Small shortbread. Afternoon flight, a snack is fair, but at least make it more than a single bite.
5PM Business Gold Coast to Melbourne - 2 satay chicken skewers. Delicious, but not what I would have expected for a dinner flight.
I normally fly Qantas and coast to coast, The food received on the Virgin flights feels insulting. Did the upgraded catering get pushed back? Does anybody know what has happened?
VA will mention upgraded Y catering every 12 to 18 months, then nothing will come of it. There has been a slight change in the Y snacks lately, J seems to have stayed the same. Remember - if you're in domestic J there are the "pantry" options or you can ask for something from the Y menu at no charge.
There was talk a while ago about Virgin upgrading their catering, but I haven't seen anything since. I had 3 flights over Christmas with them, 2 econ and 1 business and I can certainly say the catering, especially economy, is substandard. I was also unable to find meal times. Of 2 flights, I would have expected a proper meal.
8AM Economy Melbourne to Canberra - A small biscuit. Small shortbread. Is this supposed to be breakfast?
3:30PM Economy Melbourne to Gold Coast - Small shortbread. Afternoon flight, a snack is fair, but at least make it more than a single bite.
5PM Business Gold Coast to Melbourne - 2 satay chicken skewers. Delicious, but not what I would have expected for a dinner flight.
I normally fly Qantas and coast to coast, The food received on the Virgin flights feels insulting. Did the upgraded catering get pushed back? Does anybody know what has happened?
What you describe as catering, even for J class to the coast, it's an insult, at least you get a better toastie with QF. VA needs to think about catering as a way to really get more people into their scheme and stop being substandard to QF.
Unfortunately, after having flown QF yesterday and getting dinner during an hour trek from Sydney-Melbourne, it confirms why I keep staying away from VA... their lack of self owned international lounges, lack of alliance, and substandard catering for non-biz passengers makes me think that they are not worth giving them my money... but each to their own.
Virgin 'catering' is a cruel joke. A small bag of pretzels or a quarter sandwich for dinner? Pathetic.
Having flown from both ends of the cabin I agree that the economy catering is insulting. The lack of alliance or international lounges and limited domestic lounges really makes them seem like a poor cousin to Qantas.
The economy snacks are just that they are snacks. For me it’s just fine I fill up in the lounge and about 90% of the time it’s significantly cheaper than Qantas.
Only flown business with VA internationally (where there no issues) and 1 hour east coast flights from NTL to BNE or MEL but on the short NTL to BNE/MEL I’ve thought it was more than enough if not excessive for an hour flight.
The economy snacks are just that they are snacks. For me it’s just fine I fill up in the lounge and about 90% of the time it’s significantly cheaper than Qantas
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Sorry, but that doesn't fly: the Qantas domestic economy snack service is actually substantial, with large biscuits and generous packages of snack mixes, and even fresh fruit; meanwhile, the Virgin Australia one is pitiful portion, barely a quarter of what Qantas serve.
Honestly, what's the point of being cheaper than Qantas if all your product is is a glorified Jetstar with one Tim Tam?
The VA catering is a joke in Y. It also peeves me when they hand you the little biscuit or whatever then when you ask to buy a sandwich or wrap or something as well, you get an eye-roll or an audible sigh like them providing that for you is some major inconvenience for them.
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Virgin Catering Econ/Business
Grannular
Grannular
Member since 31 Mar 2014
Total posts 283
There was talk a while ago about Virgin upgrading their catering, but I haven't seen anything since. I had 3 flights over Christmas with them, 2 econ and 1 business and I can certainly say the catering, especially economy, is substandard. I was also unable to find meal times. Of 2 flights, I would have expected a proper meal.
johnaboxall
johnaboxall
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 24 Aug 2011
Total posts 384
VA will mention upgraded Y catering every 12 to 18 months, then nothing will come of it. There has been a slight change in the Y snacks lately, J seems to have stayed the same. Remember - if you're in domestic J there are the "pantry" options or you can ask for something from the Y menu at no charge.
Doubleplatinum Banned
Doubleplatinum Banned
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer Platinum
Member since 07 Feb 2013
Total posts 431
SOP for virgin, you have been spoilt by qantas
silvyvc
silvyvc
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 19 Jun 2017
Total posts 62
What you describe as catering, even for J class to the coast, it's an insult, at least you get a better toastie with QF. VA needs to think about catering as a way to really get more people into their scheme and stop being substandard to QF.
Unfortunately, after having flown QF yesterday and getting dinner during an hour trek from Sydney-Melbourne, it confirms why I keep staying away from VA... their lack of self owned international lounges, lack of alliance, and substandard catering for non-biz passengers makes me think that they are not worth giving them my money... but each to their own.
mo
mo
Member since 22 Dec 2012
Total posts 12
Virgin 'catering' is a cruel joke. A small bag of pretzels or a quarter sandwich for dinner? Pathetic.
deegee93
deegee93
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 27 Jan 2017
Total posts 37
The economy snacks are just that they are snacks. For me it’s just fine I fill up in the lounge and about 90% of the time it’s significantly cheaper than Qantas.
watson374
watson374
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 17 Aug 2012
Total posts 1,285
[QUOTE=15610;43334]
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Sorry, but that doesn't fly: the Qantas domestic economy snack service is actually substantial, with large biscuits and generous packages of snack mixes, and even fresh fruit; meanwhile, the Virgin Australia one is pitiful portion, barely a quarter of what Qantas serve.
Honestly, what's the point of being cheaper than Qantas if all your product is is a glorified Jetstar with one Tim Tam?
craigj77
craigj77
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 09 Aug 2016
Total posts 12
The VA catering is a joke in Y. It also peeves me when they hand you the little biscuit or whatever then when you ask to buy a sandwich or wrap or something as well, you get an eye-roll or an audible sigh like them providing that for you is some major inconvenience for them.