Virgin Australia Meal Options for Travelers
Virgin Australia’s Economy Class Options
Looks like Virgin Australia’s mixed things up for their economy class meals, shifting gears to a ‘buy on board’ model. Now, jet-setters can choose what they munch on up in the air, instead of being handed something they may not even like.
Complimentary Offerings
They might’ve ditched the freebie meal trays, but Virgin’s still keeping it civil. No cost for the essentials:
- Water
- Tea
- Coffee
These basics are on the house, keeping everyone refreshed and awake without swiping your card.
Buy-on-Board Menu
So, you’re seated in economy and feeling snacky? No worries. Check out the goodies you can snag courtesy of Gate Gourmet, all while knowing your ticket was likely cheaper. Here’s some of what’s on the rolling menu:
| Item | Price (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Gluten-free Instant Noodles | $7.50 |
| Chips | $4.50 |
| Cheese and Crackers | $6.00 |
| Premium Savory Nibbles | $5.50 |
| Kit Kats | $3.00 |
| Chocolate Muffins | $4.00 |
| Soft Drinks | $4.00 – $5.00 |
| Juice | $4.00 |
| Hot Chocolate | $4.50 |
| Beer | From $9.00 |
| Spirits | $8.50 |
| Australian Wines | From $12.00 |
You can pay with your trusty Visa, Mastercard, debit cards, or even American Express. But note: no paying by phone or watch, so don’t get too techy.
If you’re on a longer route, like Melbourne to Perth, consider packing some grub or grabbing a bite before boarding to dodge the mid-flight hunger—nothing’s worse than grumbling when all you want is to enjoy the view.
Virgin Australia’s game plan with this new ‘buy on board’ menu is to keep airfares lighter on your pocket and give you the power to pick your own eats. Their setup is similar to what Delta or Southwest Airlines offer, making your journey feel a bit more like a gourmet grab-and-go.
For those with dietary quirks or needs, don’t sweat it—Virgin’s got special meal considerations sorted, so everyone’s happy flying high.
Business Class Dining Experience
Flying with Virgin Australia in business class feels like a journey through a gourmet world tour right from your comfy seat.
Fresh Local Goodies
Virgin Australia is all about keeping it local with its menu. They scout for fresh ingredients from down under to whip up dishes that showcase Australian produce at its finest. Imagine munching on a meal where the greens, meat, and even the cheese stay true to their roots in Aussie soil. Here’s a peek at what you might find:
| Meal Part | What’s Served |
|---|---|
| Starter | Crunchy salads with local greens |
| Main Course | Juicy grilled Aussie beef and veggies |
| Dessert | A cheese platter or fruity sweets from the local market |
It’s like getting a plateful of Australia’s best, supporting local farmers while treating your taste buds to pure deliciousness.
Tastes From Afar
Beyond the home-grown goodness, Virgin Australia’s menu plays host to flavors from across the globe. It’s like a little cafe in the sky where international cuisines meet Aussie vibes for that modern twist. Think along these tasty lines:
- Spicy Asian beef stir-fry
- Mediterranean veggie pasta
- Flavor-packed Indian chicken curry
Whether you’re in the mood for something warm or just a refreshing drink, Virgin Australians keep you covered with a line-up of hot and cold sips—yes, including some Aussie beers and vino—as you coast above the clouds (Virgin Australia). All this, to make sure you don’t just eat but enjoy a feast up high.
Curious about what Virgin Australia serves up in other classes too? Hop on over to the Virgin Australia meal options page on our site for a deeper dive into all those tasty choices!
Beverage Choices on Virgin Australia
Flying with Virgin Australia? They’ve got an array of liquids to quench your thirst, whether you’re kicking back in Economy or savoring the finer things in Business Class. Everyone’s treated to some freebies, and there’s more to grab if you don’t mind spending a bit.
Complimentary Drinks
For those lucky enough to fly more than 55 minutes, Virgin Australia’s got your back with complimentary tea and coffee. Economy Class travelers can count on free water and that comforting brew.
| Beverage | On the house? |
|---|---|
| Water | Yep |
| Tea | Yep |
| Coffee | Yep |
Just a heads-up, if turbulences start shaking things up, services might pause for a bit, ’cause safety first (Virgin Australia).
Purchase Options
For those who fancy something extra, there’s a host of sippable delights available for purchase. Whether you’ve got a card or your phone, you’re covered..
| Beverage | Cost (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Soft Drinks | $3 – $5 |
| Juices | $3 – $5 |
| Alcoholic Drinks | $8 – $12 |
On hefty journeys, like Melbourne to Perth, you might want to stock up beforehand or bring a little stash with you. The menu, courtesy of Gate Gourmet, features goodies like instant noodles, snacks, and, of course, a medley of drinks.
Hungry for more info on flying munchies? We’ve got the scoop on emirates meal options, southwest airlines meal options, and united airlines meal options. Need some advice? Check out tips on selecting top meals with our guides for air canada meal options and british airways meal options.
Onboard Dining Details
Menu Offerings
Flying with Virgin Australia? They’ve revamped their menu to give everyone something to munch on that’s right up their alley. In Economy Class, you’ll need to pull out your wallet ’cause it’s full-on ‘buy-on-board’ now. Whether you’re hopping across the country or going international, there’s a list of goodies to choose from—think snacks, sandwiches, or a cold beverage. Free of charge are your basics: water, tea, and coffee. Simple, but who doesn’t love a free cuppa?
Here’s a taste of what’s on offer in Economy Class:
| What’s For Grabbin’? | Pocket Damage (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Hot Meals | $10 – $15 |
| Snacks | $3 – $8 |
| Sandwiches and Wraps | $7 – $12 |
| Alcoholic Beverages | $6 – $10 |
| Soft Drinks and Juices | $3 – $5 |
Business Class folks? You’re dining fancy with meals that could make a top chef blush, served on actual plates. It’s like eating in a nice restaurant—just happens to be 30,000 feet above the ground.
Service Restrictions
A few things to keep in mind while you’re sippin’ tea in the sky:
-
Payment Only By Card: In Economy, forgot cash is good for, well, nothing. Everything’s gotta go on plastic or your phone wallet—cash is so 2019.
-
What’s On The Menu: Not every meal makes every flight. Longer hauls get more choice, but shorter ones? Less is more.
-
Special Diet Needs: Got food rules? Give Virgin Australia a heads up. They’ll try to sort you out with a special meal, but choice can be limited sometimes.
-
BYOF (Bring Your Own Food): Feel free to bring your own grub. Just skip stuff needing a fridge or an oven. Check our guide if you’re packing your picnic.
With their shift to ‘buy-on-board’ goodies, Virgin Australia aims to help keep your tickets less pricey while still giving you options when hunger strikes.
In the mood to compare nosh with other airlines? Trip over to our deep-dives on what’s cooking with American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines.
Special Meal Considerations
Dietary Restrictions
Flying Virgin Australia, huh? Well, good news! They’ve got your back with several meal choices for when life’s dietary needs insist. Whether it’s religious, medical, or just your personal pick, these aren’t about fancy dining; they’re genuine needs (Stack Exchange). The airline’s mission is to whip up these special goodies with such flair that everyone who needs one gets it without holding up the trolley.
| Special Meal Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Vegetarian | Skips the meat but doesn’t shy away from dairy |
| Vegan | Goes all in, nixing the animal stuff |
| Gluten-Free | Dodges all things gluteny |
| Kosher | Whipped up following the Jewish diet rules |
| Halal | Cooked on lines with Islamic principles |
| Diabetic | Perfect for watching those sugar spikes |
Got allergies? Virgin Australia gives a heads-up to tote along your meds, like an epinephrine pen buddy. They can’t pinky-promise the cabin air’s allergen-free (Virgin Australia).
Frequent flyers in the house! You might stash your meal requests in your loyalty plan. Still, a quick phone chit-chat when you’re booking or later sure works wonders too.
Other airlines are doing the food dance too:
- American Airlines Meal Options
- Delta Air Lines Meal Options
- United Airlines Meal Options
Bringing Your Own Food
Feeling picky or just a foodie? Virgin Australia won’t mind if you bring your munchies on board. Handy if you crave something their menu doesn’t quite capture.
Here’s how to keep it neat:
- No fridge or microwave? No sweat, don’t bring stuff needing it.
- Be neighborly; maybe keep peanuts out of the mix.
- Leak-proof canisters are your best buddies against mess.
- Keep an eye on what gels and liquids might catch a ban in your snack stash.
For nosy travelers into other airline treat stories:
A little prep can make your ride with Virgin Australia smoother than silk. For direct pointers or extra help, reach out to them or check their special meal FAQ.
Changes in Service
Virgin Australia has switched up its in-flight menu, affecting everyone from Business to Economy Class flyers. This new move fits into the airline’s plan to pocket more cash while keeping up with what travelers really want.
Business Class Change-Up
Virign Australia has made a big change. If you’re flying Business Class, you’ll now have to pay for those extra sips and nibbles from the economy menu, changing the long-gone days of free goodies on request. This shake-up came from doling out more than it was bringing in—over $780,000 slipping away every year due to freebies (Executive Traveller).
But don’t fret. Business Class still doles out standard free meals, snacks, and drinks. It’s those extra cravings like cheese platters, wraps, and pies that’ll cost you. Plus, there’s a fun twist—a new old-timey retail cart trotting down the aisle with a rotating menu to mix things up (Executive Traveller).
| Item | Free Goodie Bag | Fork Out Some Cash |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Meal | Yes | Nope |
| Pantry Nibbles | Yes | Nope |
| Picked Drinks | Yes | Nope |
| Extra Snacks | Nope | Yes |
| Cheese Platters | Nope | Yes |
| Wraps | Nope | Yes |
| Toasties | Nope | Yes |
| Pies | Nope | Yes |
Economy Class Overhaul
Come March 25, 2021, Economy Class passengers saw their menu shake-up, too. Free snacks and meals gave way to a ‘buy on board’ menu (Executive Traveller). But don’t worry—water, tea, and coffee still come on the house.
This change isn’t just about cash; it also means better ticket prices and a dash of freedom for those who like picking their in-flight snacks themselves. Other big names like American Airlines and Delta Air Lines are playing the same game.
| Drink | Freebie | Pay Up |
|---|---|---|
| Water | Yes | Nope |
| Tea | Yes | Nope |
| Coffee | Yes | Nope |
| Munchies | Nope | Yes |
| Meals | Nope | Yes |
With these service shifts, Virgin Australia wants to keep passengers happy while giving its revenue a nice boost. To see how others stack up, check out our lowdown on United Airlines meal options and Qatar Airways meal options.
