Virgin Australia Business Class - Meals, Menus & Service

[twinaisle]

People complain at how LCC VA is but when they see there's a few hundred quid difference then they go VA. Guarantee.

 

[ozflier]

Is $300-500 worth an arguably better meal and 2 or 3 glasses of genuine champagne? And a ~$20 bottle of red? No lounge I'd always say when travelling in J the lounge isn't a biggie for me.

It's a personal decision. Pre-departure lounge access is handy for me.
To be fair, a biggie for me was the restriction of forward toilets to J class only on VA. That doesn't happen on Qantas !

 

[aaronm]

No picture, but I was served the cottage pie on a daytime BNE-MEL flight yesterday (other choice looked like a noodle salad but none left by the time the FA got to us). Quite possibly the worst dish I've had in VA J, very bland and textureless, like something that was intended to be served in a nursing home. Came with two pieces of fairly bitter broccoli as well. Anyway recommend avoiding this one.

 

[MooTime]

It's a personal decision. Pre-departure lounge access is handy for me.
To be fair, a biggie for me was the restriction of forward toilets to J class only on VA. That doesn't happen on Qantas !

Oh yes the toilets only for J is a big positive.
Do love that.

 

[Luke B]

No picture, but I was served the cottage pie on a daytime BNE-MEL flight yesterday (other choice looked like a noodle salad but none left by the time the FA got to us). Quite possibly the worst dish I've had in VA J, very bland and textureless, like something that was intended to be served in a nursing home. Came with two pieces of fairly bitter broccoli as well. Anyway recommend avoiding this one.

I had the same meal a couple weeks ago, I didn't think it was that bad. Certainly had far worse VA meals.

VA1592 NTL-MEL, cottage pie. Not a bad meal.
View attachment 524945

 

[aaronm]

I had the same meal a couple weeks ago, I didn't think it was that bad. Certainly had far worse VA meals.

Perhaps the caterers in NTL have a different recipe

 

[Harrison_133]

Perhaps the caterers in NTL have a different recipe

Would've been catered in BNE where the aircraft originated.

 

[The-Aviator]

October 2026 | VA57 | BNE to VLI

Second flight in a return trip from Sydney to Vanuatu. Spent a bit of time at the VA Domestic lounge before switching terminals but due to a late aircraft change, we ended up spending an extra half hour wandering around in the international terminal. Was nice hearing the in-terminal announcements for the flight in both English and French!



Waiting at our seats upon boarding were a pillow, blanket and small amenity kit containing ab eyemask and toothbrush/toothpaste. For whatever reason, this wasn't provided on the return flight.



The flight wasn't super full and there were just 4/8 in J. Our CM came around with PDBs.



Once airborne lunch orders were taken 1A, 2F, 1DF. Options were pulled beef with roasted chat potatoes and vegetables or spinach and ricotta ravioli in a leek sauce with optional chicken. I went with the beef and being a longer flight, the meal was accompanied by warm focaccia , a coconut vanilla cake and cheese and crackers.



Presentation (splatter) aside, it was one of the least enjoyable meals I've had on VA. Needed a sprinkle of the salt and pepper for flavour which is something I almost never do! Not something I would order again. That said, the focaccia was lovely and the standout on the tray was that coconut vanilla cake, could have had ten of those and it was well-suited to this leisure-focused route!

CM Kiri was a superstar, she had an encyclopaedic knowledge of the drinks menu and made a point to have a chat with each passenger. Switched to a gin and tonic while passing over the northern tip of New Caledonia, swizzle stick right way up for a change!



We made up a little bit of time enroute and landed about 20 minutes late. On the approach we caught a glimpse of Eretoka, nicknamed Hat Island for its distinctive shape!