Snacks for every passenger on VA

[aurora]

I'd be a bit miffed if i'd paid the extra for a flexi.

question for all: are people really paying the extra to get the in flight inclusions - is that what's attractive about a flexi? i would have thought the appeal was in more flexible fare rules, ability to upgrade to business etc...

 

[bullerdude]

question for all: are people really paying the extra to get the in flight inclusions - is that what's attractive about a flexi? i would have thought the appeal was in more flexible fare rules, ability to upgrade to business etc...

Its debatable if they are really that flexible to begin with.... given if you change your flight its more than likely that you will pay a fare difference and they cannot be refunded to your payment method. Sometimes its actually cheaper to initially book a saver and then book another saver if needed.

The upgrade to business is about the only reason i would get one.

 

[Noob]

Australian Business Traveller spoke with a spokesman for VA regarding the inclusive food and drinks:


"The free service is part of a trial to help shape the airline's new inflight menu, a spokesman for Virgin Australia told Australian Business Traveller, ahead of the introduction of free meals and drinks on all domestic Virgin Australia flights later in the year." AusBT


In other words, they're progressively rolling out an all inclusive Economy product - It makes sense to gain feedback and refine before all routes.

 

[davidj]

Anyone flying in the next few days able to snap a picture of the offering?

 

[MarkD]

I only ever fly a flexi fare if its only slightly more than a saver, and I consider the extra SC good value for money
The meal you got on flexi was not worthy of being called a meal, in fact most times I fly on flexi fare, I offer the "meal" to my seatmate, or just decline it when offered, as I find them uninspiring most of the time

 

[JohnK]

Received the email the other day notifying of snacks on all services on the golden triangle. No soft drinks? Hmmm.

To me this is just confusing. If you are trying to emulate Qantas then why not offer what they are offering? Always one step behind and not quite up to same standard.

 

[woodborer]

To me this is just confusing. If you are trying to emulate Qantas then why not offer what they are offering? Always one step behind and not quite up to same standard.

Because Qantas are on their way down to join Virgin. Give it a couple of years, they'll meet in the middle.....

 

[JessicaTam]

Because Qantas are on their way down to join Virgin. Give it a couple of years, they'll meet in the middle.....

With the number of 'enhancements' in the last 12 months, I don't think it will take that long.

 

[markis10]

question for all: are people really paying the extra to get the in flight inclusions - is that what's attractive about a flexi? i would have thought the appeal was in more flexible fare rules, ability to upgrade to business etc...

Some people may, airlines should have learned a long time ago with the compass saga that food is a significant item in choice domestically. No doubt a legacy from the many years of two full service airlines providing good food on board, vale hot breakfasts.

 

[DGW]

Anyone flying in the next few days able to snap a picture of the offering?

On my 1200 SYD-MEL flight today:

 

[ash.1111]

I've done a few flights with the new snacks. Here's a few offerings which you may receive:

- 2x Anzac cookies
- Cheese and crackers w/ apple
- Chip and dips

 

[Noob]

I've done a few flights with the new snacks. Here's a few offerings which you may receive:

- 2x Anzac cookies
- Cheese and crackers w/ apple
- Chip and dips

A friend said he received a chocolate mouse on a flight yesterday - I thought that was pretty different, and happy to see variation.

 

[Fruitcake]

A friend said he received a chocolate mouse on a flight yesterday - I thought that was pretty different, and happy to see variation.

Lightly killed, I hope?

 

[a330j]

A friend said he received a chocolate mouse on a flight yesterday - I thought that was pretty different, and happy to see variation.

I flew yesterday as well. Passed on the chocolate mousse...although it probably would have been better than the muffin/fudge that was offered on another flight. I was tempted to souvenir it and use it as a golf ball - it had roughly the same texture and shape.

 

[Noob]

Lightly killed, I hope?

Fresh from the farm, it even had a purple sticker wrapped around it saying "Premium Mouse". :shock:

 

[OzEire]

I think offering everyone something (tea, coffee, soft drink, booze after 5pm with a packet of nuts/ mueseli bar/ cookie/ crackers) while offering higher quality BoB meals and additional drinks (included for Flexi fares) might be a logical approach?

As someone with lots of uncertainty in my travel I am (one of the rare ?) people who often travel on Flexi fares. In the past, this has normally been Qantas by default for a range of reasons including scheduling, lounge access, seat selection *and* in flight meals. When I recently started putting more travel to VA I was plesantly surprised to find that the Flexi also provided the extra benefit of a 'meal' on some sectors, which I very much appreciated since I was paying nearly double the cheaper fare for almost exactly the same product - a seat - but a seat with some assurance that I could make some limited changes without losing the whole ticket.

As one who rarely needs food on a 45-60 minute sector it was not an essential, but it was appreciated as recognition of the *much* more expensive ticket. But removal of the Flexi meal has just reduced the overall 'value' of the Flexi fare. I had about 11 sectors booked before this policy change. You could argue that I "expected" a Flexi meal with the cost of that ticket but won't get those meals - just the same snack as everyone else. I won't die in a ditch over it but there is something just distasteful (pun intended) about having a benefit that you anticipated getting enhanced away. I bet the cost of flexi fares doesn't drop - the savings will be transferred to the cost of all those snacks.

I rarely change my ticket more than once per trip, and very rarely check bags, so now I'm thinking that the cheapest fare is a better option since on balance I will probably save money.

You see Virgin, the little enhancements get people thinking... I am now annoyed that I have lost a benefit that I didn't know existed and don't use anyway !!!

 

[MattC]

As someone with lots of uncertainty in my travel I am (one of the rare ?) people who often travel on Flexi fares. In the past, this has normally been Qantas by default for a range of reasons including scheduling, lounge access, seat selection *and* in flight meals. When I recently started putting more travel to VA I was plesantly surprised to find that the Flexi also provided the extra benefit of a 'meal' on some sectors, which I very much appreciated since I was paying nearly double the cheaper fare for almost exactly the same product - a seat - but a seat with some assurance that I could make some limited changes without losing the whole ticket.

As one who rarely needs food on a 45-60 minute sector it was not an essential, but it was appreciated as recognition of the *much* more expensive ticket. But removal of the Flexi meal has just reduced the overall 'value' of the Flexi fare. I had about 11 sectors booked before this policy change. You could argue that I "expected" a Flexi meal with the cost of that ticket but won't get those meals - just the same snack as everyone else. I won't die in a ditch over it but there is something just distasteful (pun intended) about having a benefit that you anticipated getting enhanced away. I bet the cost of flexi fares doesn't drop - the savings will be transferred to the cost of all those snacks.

I rarely change my ticket more than once per trip, and very rarely check bags, so now I'm thinking that the cheapest fare is a better option since on balance I will probably save money.

You see Virgin, the little enhancements get people thinking... I am now annoyed that I have lost a benefit that I didn't know existed and don't use anyway !!!

Initially I was going to argue with you....but I toddled over to the VA website and low-and-behold no more complimentary meal!!! Wholly heck that's a shock. So now I concur with your feelings.

 

[OzEire]

Virgin ... I am now annoyed that I have lost a benefit that I didn't know existed and don't use anyway !!!

Just to clarify... tongue firmly planted in cheek :!:

 

[Michalek]

Flown MEL-CBR, CBR-MEL, MEL-CBR in the last 8 days...

Received Muffin + Juice each time on both MEL-CBR trips, crackers + Juice on my CBR-MEL trip. I mostly fly Flexi so this is a little annoying. No Coke or Sprite offered...

I'll be flying CBR-MEL a bit later today so I'll report back later

 

[bullerdude]

Flown MEL-CBR, CBR-MEL, MEL-CBR in the last 8 days...

Received Muffin + Juice each time on both MEL-CBR trips, crackers + Juice on my CBR-MEL trip. I mostly fly Flexi so this is a little annoying. No Coke or Sprite offered...

I'll be flying CBR-MEL a bit later today so I'll report back later

Services in and out of Canberra are classed as capital connect flight - There have been no regular service on these flights for some time, only the capital connect snack services.

VA Site: Guests travelling on flights from Canberra to Sydney or Melbourne (and return) are offered complimentary snacks and beverages including water, juice, tea and coffee. Beer and wine is available on flights scheduled to depart after 4pm