Your entire A330 transcon gourmet "The Business" dinner choice tonight is CARROT SOUP
#16
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 1
Pathetic complainers
I agree it's a bit poor, but I don't think it's a complete outrage - after all it's a late evening redeye flight of less than 4 hours actual flying time (block time is 4h 10min), for which one proper meal (breakfast) *is* served. It's far from unheard of on other airlines with short, late-night departure redeyes in premium classes to have only the breakfast served without any real alternative option. At least VA does give you some kind of option: the soup + chicken + bread + dessert is at least a passable light supper, and could be augmented by the pantry offering (if only your FA wasn't too lazy to offer it).
On that flight, I think the vast majority of pax would want to go straight to sleep, so VA's offering reflects that. It seems to me that the FA's handling of the situation is the main problem here... though I agree that given VA focus on high quality food as a differentiator, they could have tried a bit harder.
On the other hand, I'm interested (and heartened) to read that you rated the breakfast highly. When I flew the route in the middle of last year, the SYD-PER breakfast was utterly lacklustre, while the PER-SYD dinner (on the mid-afternoon departure) was sensational. Service from the FAs was exemplary on both, as it happens. I'm flying it again on the same flights in a couple of weeks time, and was not particularly looking forward to the breakfast offering, but based on your account I'm hopeful it has actually improved. What was on offer for your SYD-PER flight?
On that flight, I think the vast majority of pax would want to go straight to sleep, so VA's offering reflects that. It seems to me that the FA's handling of the situation is the main problem here... though I agree that given VA focus on high quality food as a differentiator, they could have tried a bit harder.
On the other hand, I'm interested (and heartened) to read that you rated the breakfast highly. When I flew the route in the middle of last year, the SYD-PER breakfast was utterly lacklustre, while the PER-SYD dinner (on the mid-afternoon departure) was sensational. Service from the FAs was exemplary on both, as it happens. I'm flying it again on the same flights in a couple of weeks time, and was not particularly looking forward to the breakfast offering, but based on your account I'm hopeful it has actually improved. What was on offer for your SYD-PER flight?
Oh you're kidding aren't you?
The way the lounge guests Hoover down the food and wine as if they've never seen food before and go to lengths to get their 'value for money' is embarrassing. The true high tier frequent flier isn't interested in dining onboard as sleep or work or just rest is far more beneficial than stuffing your face
The value you get is the comfort factor , room to move and priority - on a less than 4 hour red eye flight what are you wanting ? To pig out for the entire flight with the lights on just so you get your 'value for money'? You have economy class first time flier mentality. I bet too you use points from your company paid ticket to upgrade into business!! You fork out the cost of the ticket yourself?
Pathetic!
#17
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Sunny SYDNEY!
Programs: UA Million Miler. (1.9M) Virgin Platinum. HH Diamond + SPG Gold
Posts: 32,330
What an "interesting" first post. I bet Admin will find a match to another handle here, if they check the IP's.
You might be right of course. And you might not be. The opinions of a one post troll are of little interest to me actually.
You might be right of course. And you might not be. The opinions of a one post troll are of little interest to me actually.
#18
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: UK
Programs: Lemonia. Best Greek ever.
Posts: 2,259
I am not surprised by this negative reaction. Virgin Aus are clearly keeping all their costs down by any means possible. On holiday in Aus, we went from Sydney to Cairns. My bag went to Hobart. I have never been so badly treated by an airline losing my bag. (I have travelled a lot, and lost a few bags during that time). The long story is too long and awful. Terminological inexactitudes, broken promises, not answering phone calls, you name it, they got it wrong. It is very difficult being on the other side of the world from home with no baggage. Refusal of any sort of restoration of anything.
I would avoid them. The place is clearly run by the beancounters, and customers are not high in their list of priorities.
I would avoid them. The place is clearly run by the beancounters, and customers are not high in their list of priorities.
#19
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Westchester, NY
Programs: HHonors Diamond, Marriott Silver, National Executive
Posts: 5
Thank you
Some people cannot see the Forrest for the trees, sigh.
The day is coming when a single carrot, freshly observed, will set off a revolution. Paul Cezanne.
If you truly get in touch with a piece of carrot, you get in touch with the soil, the rain, the sunshine. You get in touch with Mother Earth and eating in such a way, you feel in touch with true life, your roots, and that is meditation. If we chew every morsel of our food in that way we become grateful and when you are grateful, you are happy. Thich Nhat Hanh
The day is coming when a single carrot, freshly observed, will set off a revolution. Paul Cezanne.
If you truly get in touch with a piece of carrot, you get in touch with the soil, the rain, the sunshine. You get in touch with Mother Earth and eating in such a way, you feel in touch with true life, your roots, and that is meditation. If we chew every morsel of our food in that way we become grateful and when you are grateful, you are happy. Thich Nhat Hanh
#20
In Memoriam
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Katoomba (Blue Mountains)
Programs: Mucci
Posts: 8,083
Whilst agree that most people would probably want to get on board and gat to sleep ASAP, there will always be a small sub-set of passengers who have not had the opportunity to have had dinner prior to boarding, and who need to be fed something more substantial than carrot soup (and what if you don't like carrots anyway?)
It was clearly inappropriate, and your reaction is probably something along the lines of what I would have done.
After all, not every flyer is working on the same time zone as the flight.
Dave
#21
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Melbourne
Programs: ►QFWP/LTG►VA WP►HyattExpl.►HiltonGold►ALL Silver
Posts: 21,990
The more I think about this the more it seems the FA was trying to avoid having to work as much as possible. No mention of the chicken. No real reference to the 'Pantry' menu. I wonder how much sleep they got?
I do hope ozstamps that you put in a complaint to VA. Reference the specific (now known) service failures - at least the FA may find the likely follow up discussion with a supervisor uncomfortable.
I do hope ozstamps that you put in a complaint to VA. Reference the specific (now known) service failures - at least the FA may find the likely follow up discussion with a supervisor uncomfortable.
#22
Join Date: Mar 2008
Programs: SQ TPP
Posts: 124
Quick question; was a full breakfast offered on this flight before landing?
If yes, I can quite understand why there was only a snack available after departure. If you look at the 7 hour overnight flights on SQ J to Australia, there is really only one service offered. Either a quick meal on departure or a breakfast service.
If yes, I can quite understand why there was only a snack available after departure. If you look at the 7 hour overnight flights on SQ J to Australia, there is really only one service offered. Either a quick meal on departure or a breakfast service.
#23
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Melbourne
Programs: ►QFWP/LTG►VA WP►HyattExpl.►HiltonGold►ALL Silver
Posts: 21,990
Quick question; was a full breakfast offered on this flight before landing?
If yes, I can quite understand why there was only a snack available after departure. If you look at the 7 hour overnight flights on SQ J to Australia, there is really only one service offered. Either a quick meal on departure or a breakfast service.
If yes, I can quite understand why there was only a snack available after departure. If you look at the 7 hour overnight flights on SQ J to Australia, there is really only one service offered. Either a quick meal on departure or a breakfast service.
#24
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 1
Reminds me of when 1 hour and 23 minutes in Pam-Ann grilled the Virgin Atlantic FA about their Upper Class menu and all they had was Carrot & Coriander Soup - Im sensing the Virgin group of airlines is trying to appeal to the bogans and team with the theme on VA
#25
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Sydney, Australia
Programs: QR/AC Gold, VA Silver, IHG Plat, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 1,581
The PER-SYD red-eye is usually pretty quick. I have done it in 3.5-4 hours. I do prefer sleep, but still carrot soup is just a bit too low, even for Economy, let alone Business.
They should at least offer pies or pasties etc. or small pizzas.
That's why normally I normally stuff myself with food at the lounge before shortish overnight flights (eg SQ231 SIN-SYD) and go to sleep straight away after takeoff.
They should at least offer pies or pasties etc. or small pizzas.
That's why normally I normally stuff myself with food at the lounge before shortish overnight flights (eg SQ231 SIN-SYD) and go to sleep straight away after takeoff.
#26
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: SYD
Programs: OZ*G, VA Plat, NZ*G (Elite), QF Gold and PC+, Hyatt Explorist, HH Gold, Bonvoyed ("Gold")
Posts: 5,342
Quick question; was a full breakfast offered on this flight before landing?
If yes, I can quite understand why there was only a snack available after departure. If you look at the 7 hour overnight flights on SQ J to Australia, there is really only one service offered. Either a quick meal on departure or a breakfast service.
If yes, I can quite understand why there was only a snack available after departure. If you look at the 7 hour overnight flights on SQ J to Australia, there is really only one service offered. Either a quick meal on departure or a breakfast service.
Agreed. And why they didn't hand out menus (which would also list the pantry options) is a mystery.
#27
Join Date: Jan 2000
Programs: UA 1k, AA EXPLT, NZ GE, VA PLT Hyatt Diam, Marr Plat, HH Diam
Posts: 3,436
Considering the time of departure and the length of haul, the offer of soup and light breakfast doesn't seem unusual. Most pax would have already eaten dinner, so if a full-on, multi-course dinner had to be catered for all pax, there'd be a lot of waste. Frustrating of course if this back of clock flight was marketed as offering a full dinner service. Flew SIN-SYD in SQ F Suites a few months back and was quite surprised by how limited the food offering was.
#28
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: BNE
Programs: QF Gold, VA Gold, IHG Spire, Accor Plat, Marriot Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,281
Considering the time of departure and the length of haul, the offer of soup and light breakfast doesn't seem unusual. Most pax would have already eaten dinner, so if a full-on, multi-course dinner had to be catered for all pax, there'd be a lot of waste. Frustrating of course if this back of clock flight was marketed as offering a full dinner service. Flew SIN-SYD in SQ F Suites a few months back and was quite surprised by how limited the food offering was.
I hate it when airlines try to stuff me with food in the early AM and the have a feeble breakfast, then again I hate red eyes, yet still keep booking them. What's the definition of a fool......
I flew the mid morning departure ex PER this morning and very much enjoyed the food, coming of a multi leg J flight in Business to Asia and the Middle East, it was somewhat ironic that the best flight when it comes to comfort and food would be a domestic leg. Cest la vie.
#30
Join Date: Jan 2000
Programs: UA 1k, AA EXPLT, NZ GE, VA PLT Hyatt Diam, Marr Plat, HH Diam
Posts: 3,436
The VA website appears to note the different service levels offered http://www.virginaustralia.com/au/en...stic/#business