Virgin Atlantic New Economy Meal Service

[Tonish]

Food is not and is highly unlikely to become a consideration for us when it comes to booking a flight. I usually decline food when travelling economy with Virgin, as their economy service has become so bad over the years. They hide behind their curtain and leave the empty tray in front of you for hours (it's probably not hours but it feels like it) before coming to collect, and it drives me mad, so I prefer not to bother with the meal.

[sammibabe]

They are unlikely to do it out of their pockets so will be passed on for sure. After reading about melatonin on here have taken it for the last few trips and it has helped. I will also try eating before the flight next time (but by the time we go it will probably be gourmet meals on china it is so far in the future!!)

[florida4sun]

Me too, never consider the food, here is only so much they can do with what is basicly a packed warmed up lunch. As for clearing, just ask them, i do on just about every flight as i am busy on my laptop and need the space. Obvioulsy they like to collect stuff all in one go but I have never had a polite request turned down.

Food is not and is highly unlikely to become a consideration for us when it comes to booking a flight. I usually decline food when travelling economy with Virgin, as their economy service has become so bad over the years. They hide behind their curtain and leave the empty tray in front of you for hours (it's probably not hours but it feels like it) before coming to collect, and it drives me mad, so I prefer not to bother with the meal.

[SDJ]

My husband travelled to MCO yesterday with this new service. The time between eating the main course and them delivering the desert was so long, he fell asleep and missed it. He said the 'afternoon tea' was much better than previously. Sandwich and a cream tea.

[SteveandJan]

This is exactly what I have done the last few flights and what a difference it makes to jet lag! That and melatonin when I get home helps to reajust

ditto

[tonyjameswright]

We always take our own food, Virgin would have to do much more than merely revamp their offerings if they were to tempt us to touch it!

[domster]

I must admit I very much doubt a few nicer meals are gonna make people want to book with virgin.

However I do think virgin realise they have lost the one thing they had over BA and that was the whole experience. If this one factor added to a re-vamp of their 747 means they become no1 choice again then this cam only be good.

I for one have not enjoyed our 2 previous flights with them since flying with BA so will be happy if they up their standards.

[Scorpio]

I like the idea that the new food service will come as a set of courses rather than just one tray with everything tightly packed together.

If only they would just put an extra couple of inches between each seat ...

The new Airbus service has about 1 inch extra legroom (which does make quite a difference), but if you get a bulkhead seat (with extra legroom) you lose about 1.5 inches in seat width, due to the folding TV screen and lap tray, both of which are in the armrest. The entertainment system is much improved from what was offered on the 747. The food is still nothing to get excited about; we still take our own.

[SDJ]

We returned from Florida on the new Airbus yesterday. I am only 5' and I found the space to 'feel' smaller than before. I was absolutely crammed in and could not even pick my bag up which I had under the seat in front of me. The food was okayish, but even smaller portions than normal. The breakfast was not to my liking. A dried up croissant in a plastic bag, jam, (no butter which was needed as it was so dry) a yoghurt and orange juice. Will definitely be taking some food on the flight with me next time and I don't normally do that. Nice TV console with plenty of self selection films, games, news, TV etc., and the toilets were much nicer as they were new. The lack of space though - very disappointing.

[Lyn]

I have found in the past that sometimes you can wait ages for your tea/coffee after you have finished your meal even though you still have your tray, if they have to come round collecting up all the trays before they start serving your dessert etc how long is that going to take?