Virgin Australia Food and Drink Update

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Virgin Australia

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  brendanm on 23/03/2021 - 17:19

  +1

  This is how virgin has been for a while.

  • 

    spackbace on 23/03/2021 - 17:30

    +1

    That's what I thought

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  lunchbox99 on 23/03/2021 - 17:31

  +3

  How can they simply remove something you paid for? I mean "complimentary" is bizarre way of saying that you paid for it. I mean they wouldn't have handed you free food if you didn't purchase an airline ticket that included it.

  The internet lawyer in me is outraged.

• 

  WookieMonster on 23/03/2021 - 17:35

  +2

  I honestly think this is a good move.

  The snacks in economy were never really substantial (when compared with Qantas’ offering) and came across to me as a token gesture. It felt like Virgin only really had complimentary snacks to try and have some semblance of competing with Qantas’, plus they could advertise it as a positive when advertising their economy tickets.

  If you want substantial food on board the aircraft, it makes more sense to either buy from the in-flight menu, or bring your own food on board. Alternatively, load up at the airport (either at the shops in the terminal or the lounge) before you board your aircraft. Or you could fly business class if you were really inclined (where you’d get an entire snack box instead of a single snack!).

  As a traveller who is more cost-conscious, I’ll just continue to base my decisions on whether Qantas or Virgin is cheaper for the routes I’m looking to fly…

  • 

    lunchbox99 on 23/03/2021 - 17:44

    +3

    Well that's all fine if that is the deal up front, but in this case OP has already paid for it "We understand you have purchased a fare inclusive of a complimentary snack."

    They can't change the rules after payment.

    • 

      jjjaar on 23/03/2021 - 18:29

      Well, they’re still offering it it seems, but you’ll have to make the effort to get it and they know 90% of people won’t.

      If you would still like to receive a snack, please make yourself known to cabin crew once on board and they will be able to assist.

      • 

        ausdday on 23/03/2021 - 18:57

        and they will be able to assist.

        and that doesn't mean you will get one for sure, even if you ask

• 

  happychild100 on 23/03/2021 - 17:35

  +1

  I usually fly between Brisbane and Perth a couple times a year and the meal has always been just enough. I flew in February and the snacks provided weren't great considering the flight time, so it's nice to have food back, even if it is to buy. Of course, most of my flights are using points/credit card flight, so i never really had to pay often. I've been putting most of my chips into Virgin for the past few years, so my Qantas balance is lower, but i think i'll be tempted to shift to them for the cross country flights now, but will wait and see what Virgin is going to offer and how much, see which would give the better value overall!

  The other downside of course is now that Virgin no longer use the A330 planes, only Qantas has a 'proper' business class seats, not that i use them much, provided your flight is using that plane too..

  • 

    Pcoder on 23/03/2021 - 17:53

    +3

    I feel they should still have a meal for longer flights like Coast to Coast. Even in the states where meals were taken off domestic services and replaced with drink and snack service, have more recently brought back meals for Coast to Coast service. The flights a too long for no meal service to be provided and not be seen as jetstar 2.

    It doesn't even have to be anything larger than a sandwich, but their kidding themselves if people don't see them as the new jetstar and not jet blue as they want.

    • 

      happychild100 on 23/03/2021 - 18:25

      +1

      Yep agreed. Virgin could be $20 cheaper than Qantas and people will still look at Qantas and think "oo free meal", or just go opposite and pay $50 less and go Jetstar (somewhat random prices i've chosen), then buy a meal with them. Time will tell, but it'll definitely be a factor i consider when checking prices and so.

• 

  modsec802 on 23/03/2021 - 19:16

  Don’t you have to wear a mask on domestic flights anyway? Kinda defeats the point if everyone’s taking them off to eat meals and drink all the way?

• 

  kerfuffle on 23/03/2021 - 20:13

  No more Happy Hour! Always flew out of Melbourne on weekdays at 5 just for Happy Hour haha

  • 

    blueyez on 25/03/2021 - 10:25

    I tried to take advantage of this then they changed the flight time (15 minutes lol) and wouldn't honour it which was a bummer!!

• 

  jason101 on 23/03/2021 - 20:24

  +3

  I did Syd-Adl with Virgin last night, dinner time flight, received either a cup of Luke warm water or cup of carton juice plus 2 savoury biscuits (the type sent to starving African children in the 80’s), overall disappointed. They are better offering nothing and maintaining dignity.

• 

  GourmetFoodie on 23/03/2021 - 20:38

  They didn’t offer food when they first started in Oz. The pickings are always average anyways. I always bring or buy my own food if I’m economy. All I care about is cheapest price and safety record for short interstate trips.

• 

  morse on 23/03/2021 - 22:35

  It will depend on the fare and flight time. No food is not a big consideration for domestic travel, you can always pack a nice sandwich, rice paper rolls or sushi for a meal on a long flight, or a museli bar or chips for a short one. I would still fly Virgin. Realistically it’s more about getting where you want to go and you can either pay for or DIY the niceties.

• 

  NotAnAudiophile on 24/03/2021 - 09:13

  Well, Virgin just ceded all their flight sales to Jetstar - why would I fly virgin and pay a higher price. Great opportunity for REX to ramp up!

  • 

    kerfuffle on 25/03/2021 - 06:58

    Included checked baggage and in the case of Tullamarine, not having to use Terminal 4?

    • 

      NotAnAudiophile on 26/03/2021 - 08:03

      Yes there's that but I'd put my money on rex anyday, if prices were on par or cheaper.

• 

  theoracle30 on 25/03/2021 - 08:45

  Updates on Virgin Australia business class and economy for and drinks:

  https://www.pointhacks.com.au/velocity/virgin-relaunches-bus…

  https://www.pointhacks.com.au/velocity/virgin-relaunches-eco…

• 

  DemocracyManifest on 26/03/2021 - 08:10

  The last time I flew domestic Qantas - err 5 years ago - it was like a little sample pack of hummus, carrots, and something else and I had about 3 glasses of wine. Afternoon flight. Tiger used to just have someone come around and you paid by card for what you wanted, may as well just do that to slim the fares