Virgin Atlantic Flying Club - New UC catering

http://blog.vtravelled.com/introducing-virgin-atlantics-best-ever-upper-class-meal-service/

I like the look of the cheese and afternoon tea trolleys. :)

And super duper it looks too - I've noticed a notch up in the food quality and wines recently (confirmed to me by VS towers that more money is being spent) - these additions sounds just great.

hmm im not sure. this took them 2 years to come up with. i suspect most frequent fliers could have put them on the right track a lot quicker than that. rather than wasting time designing new salt and pepper shakers, and cutlery etc why not just invest in a higher quality of food and drink. 'famous for cocktails' - order a martini and get it premixed. lanson is their high end champagne. just a few months ago they were shouting about removing trolley service from economy - now we're getting it in UC.

I don't want to sound like im moaning for the sake of it. but virgin is looking tired and rather than fixing the real issues - suites, IFE, redemptions and companion vouchers they spout off about a cake trolley.

IMO its time for virgin to put up or shut up, the middle eastern carriers set the benchmark in all standards right now - especially when it comes to food and drink. i understand they might not be able to compete with these companies, thats fine. if thats the case stop shovelling cr@p in my direction.

I love flying Virgin, ive been gold for 5 years and i do it all on my own dime, and ive been all over the world with them. but lets get real. they can't even offer me a packet of polos and a pen when i get on board. why am i to get excited about a trolley with cake on it.

virgin used to be different - remember the on flight massage, the high quality amenity pack, the bookable salon treatments at the clubhouse. decent champagne. innovation - thats what VA used to be about - now it just seems to be how do we put lipstick on a pig and sell it. ok - maybe its not that bad. but ive had enough of these stupid marketing promotions.

rant over.

hmm im not sure. this took them 2 years to come up with. i suspect most frequent fliers could have put them on the right track a lot quicker than that. rather than wasting time designing new salt and pepper shakers, and cutlery etc why not just invest in a higher quality of food and drink. 'famous for cocktails' - order a martini and get it premixed. lanson is their high end champagne. just a few months ago they were shouting about removing trolley service from economy - now we're getting it in UC.

I don't want to sound like im moaning for the sake of it. but virgin is looking tired and rather than fixing the real issues - suites, IFE, redemptions and companion vouchers they spout off about a cake trolley.

IMO its time for virgin to put up or shut up, the middle eastern carriers set the benchmark in all standards right now - especially when it comes to food and drink. i understand they might not be able to compete with these companies, thats fine. if thats the case stop shovelling cr@p in my direction.

I love flying Virgin, ive been gold for 5 years and i do it all on my own dime, and ive been all over the world with them. but lets get real. they can't even offer me a packet of polos and a pen when i get on board. why am i to get excited about a trolley with cake on it.

virgin used to be different - remember the on flight massage, the high quality amenity pack, the bookable salon treatments at the clubhouse. decent champagne. innovation - thats what VA used to be about - now it just seems to be how do we put lipstick on a pig and sell it. ok - maybe its not that bad. but ive had enough of these stupid marketing promotions.

rant over.

You say they need to fix the real issues like the suites, IFE and redemptions but I see no issues with any of these things?

And to me a trolley with cake seems much more exciting than a packet of polos and a pen.

I do agree with you on the champagne front though. I'm not quite sure they're drawing attention to serving Lanson.

My only concern is that I like to have afternoon tea in bed mode. Where is one meant to put the cake stand then? First world problems and all that. :D

You say they need to fix the real issues like the suites, IFE and redemptions but I see no issues with any of these things?

And to me a trolley with cake seems much more exciting than a packet of polos and a pen.

My only concern is that I like to have afternoon tea in bed mode. Where is one meant to put the cake stand then? First world problems and all that. :D


A new Upper Class cabin including seat is supposed to be revealed next month.

I don't see any issue with the suites or IFE - OK, like any premium product it's been around for a while now, they all do, but it is due to be renewed this year with an expected very soon announcement of the new UCS.

We'll wait and see whether with new UCS comes the new JAM IFE being installed on the A333s and LGW fleet.

I've never had a premixed martini on board ... and UC is a business class offering so I suggest Lanson is on a par with most - SQ serve Henriot in business class and I prefer Lanson to that.

Then there's the refurbishment of the LGW 747s, long overdue perhaps, but it is happening.

My recent flights on VS have all be superb, great crews, noticeably better food and higher quality wines - this new meal service sounds like another great improvement.

As for companion vouchers, I've yet to find a person who thinks they're any use but redemptions, well I've booked them to LAX, SFO, IAD, JFK, MIA, and more in the last year - in UC!