Passenger Experience is core to flying – and soft products (such as food and beverage) are a key part of that experience. Virgin Atlantic has unveiled its new menu for the winter season – focused on seasonal comfort and destination-inspired dishes.
Upper Class
Upper-Class customers will be welcomed onboard with a refreshing glass of Hambledon English sparkling wine paired with British raspberries and sweet rhubarb tonic, or Champagne and rosemary truffle artisan crisps.
New additions to the Upper Class menu include delicious dishes such as
- Thyme and garlic roasted chicken with dauphinoise potatoes, baby carrots, tender stem broccoli and peppercorn sauce;
- Miso and sesame-crusted salmon with sweet potato purée, bok choi and a honey and ginger sauce and mushroom, red wine
- Tarragon pie with mashed potatoes, garden vegetables and herb gravy.
The airline has also added to its pre-order menu, where Upper Class and Premium customers can pre-select their inflight meals between 72-24 hours of departure.
Virgin Atlantic’s Upper Class Extra Bites menu also has some brand-new additions, including cream tea with fudge scones and clotted cream, salted caramel spread and strawberry jam.
You can also choose from a gourmet fish goujon hot sandwich served with tartare sauce, and a chicken Caesar club sandwich served with salted crisps.
Customers will also try the airline’s new British Northern Bloc ice creams in chocolate chip and vegan lemon sorbet flavours.
Virgin Atlantic has also introduced new beverages to its onboard menu, including Brooklyn Pilsner, Cobra lager, and Lucky Saint non-alcoholic beer.
For those whose tastebuds prefer items made from grapes, Brook Ridge Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand, Diemersdal Pinotage from South Africa, and Soave and Pinot Noir from the family-owned Gianni Tessari estate will join the menu.
Premium Economy
Premium Economy customers will enjoy a vibrant and fresh seasonal menu, with highlights including hearty chicken casserole with mustard mash and buttered savoy cabbage; classic shepherd’s pie, vegetables and creamy mashed potatoes or Thai green vegetable curry with steamed jasmine rice.
This is followed by Virgin Atlantic’s Mile High Tea featuring delicate finger sandwiches, warm scones and a mini patisserie selection of lemon posset choux and walnut carrot cake.
Economy Class
Economy passengers feature tasty options to please the whole family, such as chicken tikka masala with saffron rice, red quinoa and green peas and creamy macaroni cheese with a panko and cheese crumb.
You can also enjoy an on-demand pantry offering sweet and savoury snacks, whenever you are feeling the hunger pangs between main meal services.
In Quotes
Corneel Koster, Chief Customer and Operating Officer, Virgin Atlantic said:
“We’re pleased to announce an enhanced food and drinks service on board. By creating new dishes and working with new partners, we’re bringing a more personal, unique Virgin Atlantic experience for all our customers during the Autumn/Winter season.
“Creating magical moments for our customers is what we do best; delighting them from the moment they step on board to when they land into their destination. We will continue to develop our inflight offering, as our customers do business, visit family, or seek winter sun for that much needed holiday.”
Food is an important part of the experience
We all know that food and drink are a key part of the long-haul travel experience – because the first things people will remember when travelling with either be the flight length, the airport experience and the food offered onboard.
There are a lot of positive things here – as Virgin Atlantic is looking beyond the business class cabin (compared to some airlines that just update their premium experiences for a subset of those passengers). Seeing an airline look at all cabins is welcoming, rather than just focusing on its premium segment.
And looks rather delicious if I’m honest.
The new menu began flying on the 5th of October, so it should be in the sky when you fly next.
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