Virgin’s summer menu refresh puts the focus on ‘fresh’
Here is what’s being dished up at 30,000 feet for Virgin Australia’s business class and economy passengers.
By David Flynn, December 16 2021
From roast vegie wraps to Violet Crumble bars, Virgin Australia's latest inflight menu is different to what you may expect – and that's the whole idea.
"As we ramp up our services for the summer holiday period, we're bringing a lot of fun and energy to our new menu, as part of our commitment to creating great customer experiences," explains Paul Jones, Virgin Australia's Chief Customer and Digital Officer.
Passengers in business class will see a seasonal refresh with "summer on-trend dishes that are both nourishing and healthy" such as a chicken tagine, 'burrito power bowls', a Korean-style vegetarian bibimbap and new pasta dishes.
Virgin's business class menu is also getting a summer refresh.
"Our customers also told us how much they loved our sparkling wine, so we've listened, and added more bubbles to the menu," Jones says.
And if you're headed to Fiji, the business class breakfast service will offer a choice between
• potato and corn fritters topped with tomato basil salsa, crumbled feta and sautéed spinach
• cheese omelette served with sauteed potatoes with onion, mushroom ragout and chicken chipolata
While for lunch and dinner, there's
• chicken chimichurri
• pumpkin and eggplant lasagne
Virgin says there will also be "additional menu offerings including a dessert and snacks throughout the flight."
One of Virgin Australia's business class meals for Fiji-bound flyers.
And if you're sitting behind row two, the economy 'buy on board' menu now goes well beyond simple snacks, even though the airline says that cheese and crackers continue to be the most popular and most purchased.
Virgin's fresh food list will include Chicken Caesar lettuce sandwiches and a wrap of roast vegetables and feta, which will feature as part of what Jones calls a 'secret economy menu' – which means off-menu items that will be loaded onto each flight.
A selection of the offerings for Virgin Australia's latest buy on board economy menu.
"Virgin Australia cabin crew will table the available fresh menu options at the start of each flight, with wraps, sandwiches and hot pies, just some of the tucker available in the air."
Also read: How Virgin aims to win back business travellers, corporate flyers
Thai Airways International - Royal Orchid Plus
15 Jan 2013
Total posts 458
It looks decent enough but not my sort of food.Ex Adelaide I am thankful there is Subway to get something for food for the flights and in the rest of the cities most of the airports have a food court with a half decent selection.
24 Aug 2011
Total posts 1207
I like the comparative simplicity of what VA is offering. I always enjoyed the cheese and crackers with a beer when I used to fly DJ home from SYD every week in a previous life and, for slightly longer flights, a toastie or a pie is reliable simple food f you haven't had time for something in the Lounge or airport foodcourt.
Whilst you have to now pay, I don't think anyone will miss the weird crackers and energy balls etc that VA was serving when Y food was included in the fare. Likewise, I don't think 'really anyone craves the sloppy stews or dried omelets that QF serves up to it Y passengers.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
01 Aug 2013
Total posts 24
I am looking forward to trying VA J out tomorrow, heard good and bad things about the onboard offering. but you get what you pay for I guess, only a 2 hour flight so not the end of the world if I select something from the buy of board menu
09 Sep 2020
Total posts 13
Honestly ,
Good looking tucker, can Virgin answer the following: International Long Haul, is it honestly going to return, or not if either way please be up front with the public. Reading the partnership between Virgin Australia and United ,will the gates be available for United in Brisbane or would we need to fly to Sydney then cross over to United
05 Jan 2021
Total posts 25
Foods look pretty "healthy" but certainly better than the sausage roll I was offered on a Perth to Sydney Qantas service recently .
Sure, maybe it was a COVID issue, but for a couple of thousand dollar fare , I had expected something a little better .
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