Virgin Australia updates Buy on Board Economy Menu.

[HS-TQE]

This thread refers to the separate Buy On Board Economy Menu, In the same linked article also refers to the quarterly refresh of Biz Class Meals (eff May 28), but that's for the Biz Class Menu thread.

The five new items available on Virgin economy flights

• Savoury beef snack pie and a classic sausage roll
• Triple cheese and caramelised onion sandwich
• Archie Rose peach gin and soda
• Street Food Co. creamy spinach and ricotta tortellini
• Chocamama party mix lolly bag

Aussie airline unveils upgrades to in-flight offerings

The upgrades will be rolled out to Virgin’s economy and business lines.

www.perthnow.com.au

 

[travelislife]

Wish they would offer pre order meals for their international network.

 

[HS-TQE]

Wish they would offer pre order meals for their international network.

Agreed.

Although VA only recently started offering Buy on Board Hot Meals on their 737 International Network (excluding ZQN). A start, but a long way to go (especially with their outdated IT systems discussed previously in other threads).

 

[MarkD]

Why exclude ZQN? They seriously love a guessing game in relation to their service expectations dont they. Surely standardised catering would be so much easier.

 

[HS-TQE]

Why exclude ZQN? They seriously love a guessing game in relation to their service expectations dont they. Surely standardised catering would be so much easier.

BoB Economy Menu states that Hot Meals are available on selected flights over 3.5 hours. ZQN from Australia is 3 hrs to 3 hrs 15 minutes.

 

[henrus]

It's not just ZQN but also BNE-VLI and BNE-NAN.

 

[Saab34]

One thing I have always liked about the US Domestic players is the free drinks onboard, namely soda. Nearly $5 for a 250ml coke is crazy.

I see most things have jumped in price.

 

[Aussie_flyer]

One thing I have always liked about the US Domestic players is the free drinks onboard, namely soda. Nearly $5 for a 250ml coke is crazy.

I see most things have jumped in price.

Qantas offer this

 

[Catweazle]

So, these lacklustre petrol-station vibes are their new 'upgrades' to a largely non-existent menu, which had nought but a few nuts and some overpriced wine to begin with? Geez. Even Tiger Airways had better options! Is this the pinnacle of rear-end aviation cuisine? I'd have better luck on Greyhound.

• Savoury beef snack pie & a classic sausage roll – a mediocre attempt to compete against JQ who has been doing this for years already. But 'snack' sized? Carn, isn't it time for a real, full-sized chunky Angus steak pie, VA? I bet they charge extra for the tomato sauce too.
• Triple cheese and caramelised onion sandwich – Frankly, we know how Gordon Ramsey would describe the presentation of a few mystery cheeses that probably smells like a pub at 2am...
• Archie Rose peach gin and soda - who the hell puts soda water in gin? What a waste of good gin...oh, sorry, I thought they were serving quality gin. Trying to be fancy like a teenage bimbo on her first Vodka cruiser. Whoever thought of peaches on a plane?
• Street Food Co. creamy spinach and ricotta tortellini – Basically, a microwave meal without the plastic covering. They're going all out here.
• Chocamama party mix lolly bag – Because who else books a VA flight for the sake of trendy Melbournian confectionery?

 

[Saab34]

Is it because they have lack of ovens or something? Jetstar seem to have these larger ovens in the Airbus.

 

[HS-TQE]

Is it because they have lack of ovens or something? Jetstar seem to have these larger ovens in the Airbus.

Some of the old VAi 1.0 aircrafts carried complimentary hot meals for all Economy passengers on all Short Haul International services prior to Voluntary Administration.

I'd assume the same aircrafts assumedly also flies for VAi 2.0 to Bali, with VAi 2.0 offering Hot Meals on a BoB basis in Economy.

 

[ANstar]

I'd say its more down to cost. Having fresh products on board versus ambient reduces shelf life etc. A muffin can last for days but a fresh sandwich - hours.

 

[simmomelb]

One thing I have always liked about the US Domestic players is the free drinks onboard, namely soda. Nearly $5 for a 250ml coke is crazy.

I see most things have jumped in price.

Much the same as buying a cold soft drink from a corner store/cafe, I think that price is pretty standard now.
Overpriced, yes, but most are used to paying this now (convenience fee), almost everywhere, other than an unrefrigerated supermarket shelf.
Oh, and on a side note, can you imagine a US citizen not having a free large sugar-laden soda available? It's probably in their constitution

 

[simmomelb]

BoB Economy Menu states that Hot Meals are available on selected flights over 3.5 hours. ZQN from Australia is 3 hrs to 3 hrs 15 minutes.

I think 3+ hours would have been far better, this would have included a lot more flights.

 

[antycbr]

Oh, and on a side note, can you imagine a US citizen not having a free large sugar-laden soda available? It's probably in their constitution

Along with that all hotels will have an ice machine.

If I want soft drink it’s usually cheaper to purchase a bottle from a vending machine (SYD T2) than on board…

 

[Mr Bill]

I think 3+ hours would have been far better, this would have included a lot more flights.

Hehehe.........that's probably why it's 3.5+ hours

 

[simmomelb]

Hehehe.........that's probably why it's 3.5+ hours

Well, yes and no. It is an extra money maker.

 

[twinaisle]

Well, yes and no. It is an extra money maker.

It's also an extra money burner. The amount of perishable wastage is wild!

 

[anat0l]

One thing I have always liked about the US Domestic players is the free drinks onboard, namely soda. Nearly $5 for a 250ml coke is crazy.

I see most things have jumped in price.

Much the same as buying a cold soft drink from a corner store/cafe, I think that price is pretty standard now.
Overpriced, yes, but most are used to paying this now (convenience fee), almost everywhere, other than an unrefrigerated supermarket shelf.
Oh, and on a side note, can you imagine a US citizen not having a free large sugar-laden soda available? It's probably in their constitution

Supermarket retail single 330 mL can is about $2.85 and single 600 mL bottle is about $4.00 or $4.50, if I recall correctly, from the fridge.

I could Uber Eats a 600 mL bottle of Coke for $4.95 (currently on special, about $1.50 off the normal price) or a 330 mL can for $4.25, but then you add the delivery fee.

$5.00 for a 250 mL slim can is a bit much, but since when was airline buy on board competitive with anything else, except possibly a hotel minibar?

So, these lacklustre petrol-station vibes are their new 'upgrades' to a largely non-existent menu

To be fair, it's kind of a case of the petrol stations upping the game to offer some much more reasonable, decent fare...

...errr, nah........

It's also an extra money burner. The amount of perishable wastage is wild!

Lucky you guys aren't on commission!

Or have inflight sales targets.

Interesting insight, though - seems to imply many people don't eat or drink a lot from the buy on board selection? (Either that or the supply needs a bit of fine tuning)

 

[twinaisle]

Supermarket retail single 330 mL can is about $2.85 and single 600 mL bottle is about $4.00 or $4.50, if I recall correctly, from the fridge.

I could Uber Eats a 600 mL bottle of Coke for $4.95 (currently on special, about $1.50 off the normal price) or a 330 mL can for $4.25, but then you add the delivery fee.

$5.00 for a 250 mL slim can is a bit much, but since when was airline buy on board competitive with anything else, except possibly a hotel minibar?


To be fair, it's kind of a case of the petrol stations upping the game to offer some much more reasonable, decent fare...

...errr, nah........


Lucky you guys aren't on commission!

Or have inflight sales targets.

Interesting insight, though - seems to imply many people don't eat or drink a lot from the buy on board selection? (Either that or the supply needs a bit of fine tuning)

Use to have commission but it wasn't much so there wasn't really an incentive to sell.

It really depends on the flights and destinations. ISH sells out mainly but I've had flights where we still have hot meals left etc. It's hard to predict so they tread with modesty of loading food die to high wastage.