Virgin Australia Business Class - Meals, Menus & Service

[MEL_Traveller]

VA833 MEL-SYD - Chicken Parma. Tasted like a frozen meal from a supermarket.
View attachment 472733

What is the long orange thing(s).. that look like churros?

 

[anat0l]

What is the long orange thing(s).. that look like churros?

I'm going to guess sweet potato, baked / fried with a crinkly shape, a bit like long chips.

 

[FlyingKangaroo]

I found mine quite dry (I don't mean the wine):
View attachment 474227

A quick stir of the chicken through the pasta might bring the dish together and improve presentation, but hey, at least it was there and an option, and a decent portion of good protein to boot.

I still think the side plate is silly for just a packet of cheese and crackers. Taking them out, plating them, and adding a few nuts, grapes and/or pieces of dried fruit would do wonders to elevate that tray.

 

[RooFlyer]

VA702 dep BNE 9:40 arr HBA 12:30

I wish I’d noted the business FA‘s name as she was absolutely top-notch from first greeting to goodbye at the end. Must remember to send feedback - they should be able to identify her.

Lunch (served a bit early) beef ragu with gnocchi. Very nice

 

[penny6]

VA696 PER-MEL tonight.
View attachment 472964

What was this dish? Sorry I can't quite tell from the lighting.

 

[anat0l]

What was this dish? Sorry I can't quite tell from the lighting.

Looks like a curry with spiced rice and salsa / mini chopped salad. Can't tell what type of curry it is; if I had to guess it is a Malaysian yellow curry.

 

[woocalla]

What was this dish? Sorry I can't quite tell from the lighting.

Baked chicken tikka with basmati pilaf and salsa. It's ex Perth only - not on any east coast departures.

 

[Luke B]

I'm going to guess sweet potato, baked / fried with a crinkly shape, a bit like long chips.

Yeah that's correct.

Baked chicken tikka with basmati pilaf and salsa. It's ex Perth only - not on any east coast departures.

That sounds right, it wasn't too bad but not as good as the chicken and rice dish I had SYD-PER on the way over.

 

[The-Aviator]

October 2025 | VA181 | SYD to NAN

Short long weekend trip to Fiji - queues at Sydney were a nightmare so I was glad to have access to prority check-in and screening! Unfortunately we were at a bus gate so priority boarding wasn't in place, however I did end up being amongst the first to board the aircraft.



CM soon introduced herself and asked what we would like to drink, I went with water.



Orders were taken once we were up in the air - there were six passengers in total and orders were taken 2A, 1A then 1DF/2DF (all travelling together). Options were described as garlic chicken with steamed rice and broccoli or gnocchi with mushroom, pumpkin and optional chicken. I went with the garlic chicken.

Drinks were served first...



Followed up by the meal tray.



I was pleased with the chicken, lot of flavour and nicely presented. I presume the bread that has replaced the dip and flatbreads we used to see is some kind of cost-cutting exercise but it was nice enough - really it would be good to see this on more of their flights and not just the transcons / short haul internationals. The brownie looks a bit dry in the photo but was actually pretty good. Had a few drink topups and got some chips from the pantry later in the flight.

The rest of the flight was fairly uneventful, it was my first time on one of the 737 MAXs so the aircraft's newness meant the condition of things was pretty good, however the cleanliness was atrocious. So much grime and dirt in the nooks and crannies! I really should have asked for some wipes or something to clean it out but I just put up with it. Wi-Fi worked well and no shower curtain divider installed on this bird yet. Crew were friendly, helpful and quick to respond when the kids across the aisle accidentally spilled a drink. Perhaps the most entertaining part of the flight was when a biosecurity announcement for Vanuatu was made instead of Fiji, which another crew member picked up but no-one bothered to make a correction over the PA.

Before long we were descending into Nadi and everyone's holidays could begin! Unfortunately there won't be a review of the return journey as that was in Economy X.

 

[FlyingKangaroo]

I presume the bread that has replaced the dip and flatbreads we used to see is some kind of cost-cutting exercise but it was nice enough - really it would be good to see this on more of their flights and not just the transcons / short haul internationals.

Agree (I’ve made this my bone to pick this week so might as well see it through Sunday). That bread likely costs just pennies but fills the tray nicely to make the meal look complete. Silly it’s not on every flight.

 

[flightsonpoints]

VA817 MEL-SYD 13 Oct J
Ben (Cabin manager) in J was fantastic, breakfast choice was egg tart below or pancakes with berries, my choice was adequate for 1 hour flight.

 

[PERLHR]

Today (Sat) Perth to Brisbane. It was ok. Lunch time flight. Despite announcement at start of flight...front Loo for biz only yet is in use for Y class. No barrier, no shower curtain....
. No baggage weighing at Perth!!!

 

[PERLHR]

BNE-NAN. Peppered chicken , rice and a bit of broccoli. Tasty enough but a bit short on the chicken really for lunch. Comfortable Max flight, well looked after so far with much smiles. Good internet and a new one for me ...the sparkling served directly from the bottle, prior to and during and after meal service at the seat. I like it and the CSD doing a fine job. I forgot also you get a pillow blanket and a wee amenity kit on these VA flights. Wish they did it on the longer domestics to and from Perth!! (Why ever not?).

 

[twinaisle]

BNE-NAN. Peppered chicken , rice and a bit of broccoli. Tasty enough but a bit short on the chicken really for lunch. Comfortable Max flight, well looked after so far with much smiles. Good internet and a new one for me ...the sparkling served directly from the bottle, prior to and during and after meal service at the seat. I like it and the CSD doing a fine job. I forgot also you get a pillow blanket and a wee amenity kit on these VA flights. Wish they did it on the longer domestics to and from Perth!! (Why ever not?). View attachment 476352

Because $$$$$$$$$$$$ sadly

 

[PERLHR]

Because $$$$$$$$$$$$ sadly

Sadly. It makes such a difference. Small yet effective.

 

[anat0l]

Wish they did it on the longer domestics to and from Perth!! (Why ever not?).

They did a very long time ago (viz. Borghetti years).

Guess that was part of their saving dollars and not seeing that it created a huge point of difference with the competition. Probably not helping in a time now that people just abandon them, or in some cases (pun intended) they are only available upon request (e.g. SQ)

 

[Flyerwin]

SYD-PER last Saturday. Teriyaki chicken. Not bad.


Right now MEL-SYD in the air. Vegetarian green curry with chicken added. Also not bad.

 

[PERLHR]

VA817 MEL-SYD 13 Oct J
Ben (Cabin manager) in J was fantastic, breakfast choice was egg tart below or pancakes with berries, my choice was adequate for 1 hour flight.

View attachment 475290

I would rather have had that short haul breakfast I think as I still think it's a bit odd that VA serve up lunch between BNE and PER on a 09.10 departure. What's wrong with a decent breakfast on those morning flights of over 5 hours followed by a snack or something? Or if it's lunch then some pre lunch snacks followed by lunch would-be better.

 

[twinaisle]

I would rather have had that short haul breakfast I think as I still think it's a bit odd that VA serve up lunch between BNE and PER on a 09.10 departure. What's wrong with a decent breakfast on those morning flights of over 5 hours followed by a snack or something? Or if it's lunch then some View attachment 477125pre lunch snacks followed by lunch would-be better.

If they served breakfast on a 5 hout flight and you got 2 pancakes or 2 waffles because of no choice you'd complain. Trust me.

 

[MooTime]

Do you have a chance to delay your main meal on that 5hr flight like at back end of flight?
Suppose it adds to the cleaning up process for crew.