New menu

Don't suppose any has had the panko encrusted cod in premium have they? Tempted to order it for my kid because the last time we ordered a kids meal is a disgrace. The problem is she won't have the tartare sauce, so I'm trying to find out if it is already on the fish when its loaded on the aircraft?

On the previous UC menu when an option was Pan Roasted Cod - panang sauce,coconut rice,edamame with a carrot and radish salad. The sauce was in a separate jug on the side of the plate, so you could decide how much or little you wanted.

More worryingly, the allergen chart the crew had was inconclusive as to the presence of nuts in the sauce. The chart suggested no nuts, but a Google search (via the onboard WiFi) suggested the sauce highly likely contained nuts & as such the crew would not serve it to me.

I guess it's a bit like any restaurant menu nowadays, where there is an allergen disclaimer on the bottom in small print. Basically says "we'll do our best to avoid cross-contamination, but zero guarantees as all allergens can be present in the kitchens where meals are prepared".

It's a sad state of affairs when paying full-whack J fare for a round trip in Upper Class, your best catering option is a Pret a Manger take-out from the terminal.

[mitchja]

Going off the small print, virtual no outbound US flights are offering pre-ordering so far for this current menu cycle.

From this page

*Pre-order eligibility

Pre-order is available for Upper Class and Premium confirmed bookings on all UK outbound flights, Caribbean and India inbound flights. Pre-order is currently only available on select US inbound flights whilst we create some new exciting menus but will be available on all US inbound flights later in the summer.

From 7th May 2025, Pre-order will also be available for confirmed Economy bookings on UK outbound flights when the lead booker is a Flying Club member and has linked their Flying Club number to the booking.

Pre-order not available for group bookings and not suitable for customers with dietary requirements. Any customers with dietary requirements should order a Special Meal - click here to find out more. Opt-out is available in Premium and Upper Class.

While we try to fulfil all meal requests, meal choices can’t be guaranteed, and we reserve the right to change the menu without prior notice.

[mitchja]

Well the full pre-order selection is available for my TPA flight next week :

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Full details (allergens in brackets)

Grapefruit and Miso Chicken - with seared bok choi,pickled carrot salad,brown rice and gochujang sauce (Gluten Mustard Sesame Soy Sulphites).
Pan Roasted Haddock - potato lyonnaise,sugar snaps,watercress and pea sauce finished with lemon balm (Fish Gluten Milk Sulphites).
Minted Pea Tortelloni - with lemon butter sauce,lemon gremolata,garlic panko crumb and feta (v) (Egg Gluten Milk Sulphites).
Nigerian Style Chicken Curry - with jollof rice,roasted sweet potato and spinach (halal) (Celery Crustaceans Gluten Mustard Sulphites).
Pan Fried Tilapia - with herb dumpling,red pepper hot sauce,stirfried bell peppers and onions,collard greens and coconut rice (halal) (Celery Egg Fish Gluten Milk Sulphites).
Chicken Karahi - with vegetable biryani rice,gujarati beans and paratha (Gluten Mustard Soy Sulphites).
Paneer Tawa Masala - with saffron basmati rice,aloo mattar and paratha bread (v) (Gluten Milk Soy Sulphites).
Tomato Soup - horseradish crème fraiche and micro cress served with emmental and spinach toastie (v) (Gluten Milk Sulphites).
Maple and Miso Glazed Pork Belly - with roasted pumpkin,grilled maitake mushroom,seared polenta and a maple miso jus (Gluten Milk Soy).
Seared Tofu with Teriyaki Glaze - ho fan noodles with stir fried vegetables,roasted cashew and spring onion (ve) (Gluten Nuts Sesame Soy Sulphites).
Chicken Caesar Salad - with crispy baby gem lettuce boiled egg,croutons,caesar dressing and shaved Italian cheese (Egg Gluten Milk).
Kabsa Chicken - with saffron coriander rice,cumin roasted aubergine puree,cranberries,cashews and almonds (halal) (Gluten Milk Nuts).

FYI- would not recommend the Miso chicken.
It was very dry, beans were dry, only saving grace was the bok choy.

Poor choices next week
MAN-LAS
might grab a boots meal deal

Grapefruit and Miso Chicken
Pan Roasted Haddock
Minted Pea Tortelloni
Tomato Soup

Nothing appeals to me on that menu. Far too complicated. Let’s get back to some basics. Something wrong when people are taking their on food onboard.

[mitchja]

MAN flights never get the full pre-order options LHR flights always get.

Can't speak to any of the new upper options, but had Chicken Tikka Masala in premium outbound to MBJ recently and it was really good! Would have been more than happy with that in upper.

MAN flights never get the full pre-order options LHR flights always get.

It’s ok you can always eat in the clubhouse before a Manchester flight. Oh wait I forgot the north are still second class customers.

[mitchja]

MAN flights never get the full pre-order options LHR flights always get.

It’s ok you can always eat in the clubhouse before a Manchester flight. Oh wait I forgot the north are still second class customers.

One of the many reasons why i now avoid flying VS from/to MAN if possible, even living in Lancashire!! T2 lounges are also about to get a whole lot busier as BA (and other airlines) make the move into T2 from T1 & T3.

T2 will essentially be the main terminal at MAN until T1 gets renovated (I believe T3 is going) and they have a grand total of just 2 shared lounges in T2!!!! Utter madness

MAN flights never get the full pre-order options LHR flights always get.

VS MAN flights are always like something that caused your shoe an inconvenience. Their marketing team claim "it's our home in the North", but deliver Jack [something] when compared to Heathrow. Fares are generally the same too, so not as though passenger handling charges can be blamed.

Years ago the site did some luggage tags, "see you at the pointy end" "I took the flight for the haircut" "Do I look like I fly Economy", could we do a refresh on those....
"Its OK I went to Boots for a meal deal"
"I have no beef with Virgin"
"I am from Manchester, what is a Clubhouse?"
I am sure they would go down well

Years ago the site did some luggage tags, "see you at the pointy end" "I took the flight for the haircut" "Do I look like I fly Economy", could we do a refresh on those....
"Its OK I went to Boots for a meal deal"
"I have no beef with Virgin"
"I am from Manchester, what is a Clubhouse?"
I am sure they would go down well

Yes please I will have 4 x “I am from Manchester, what is a clubhouse”

FYI- would not recommend the Miso chicken.
It was very dry, beans were dry, only saving grace was the bok choy.

Thank you for this! It sounded interesting so was considering it, but might go for one of the curries instead

[buns]

Mrs Buns and I have just returned from MCO, where despite the VS hype of "you won't go hungry on board", there was no opportunity to pre-order.

Upon boarding we were presented with the following:

Starters

Togarashi spiced shrimp
with sweet miso wakame and toasted sesame seeds
Courgette soup
with parsley croutons

Mains

Teriyaki salmon
with seasoned sushi rice and soy braised vegetables

Chicken
stuffed with boursin cheese and chorizo with peal barley risotto, grilled courgette, asparagus and maple smoked paprika sauce


Palak paneer
with vegetable korma, tempered toor dal, cumin pulp with naan


Deserts
Flourless valrhona chocolate cake
Warm orange bread pudding with vanilla sauce


As the "Speedy Supper" also relied upon the novel Courgette Soup, Mrs Buns and I (together with a couple nearby also sitting in Upper Class) ended up with just a grilled cheese and tomato sandwich

I post this as a warning to others, not to try and influence VS as they don't bother listening these days.

Buns

.....I post this as a warning to others, not to try and influence VS as they don't bother listening these days.
Buns

Totally agree with this sentiment, buns. This too was our offering coming back from MCO in mid-May - absolutely cr**. That said, the menu was immaterial - who the hell wants to eat at that time of night?

[mitchja]

Just arrived back from Tampa (via Atlanta) and whilst there was no pre-order available on the VS104; here’s the return menu.

I had the speedy supper and the tomato soup was excellent.

For breakfast I had the granola, fruit platter and the banana bread French toast all of which were excellent

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Who ever is in charge of catering at VS is obviously NOT a foodie!!
Such awful choices.
Bring back the Steak and Burger sliders.
Paying a premium price and receiving such a poor choice and quality of food.
It's not rocket science and dosen't need to be Michelin Star.

Just arrived back from Tampa (via Atlanta) and whilst there was no pre-order available on the VS104; here’s the return menu.

I had the speedy supper and the tomato soup was excellent.

For breakfast I had the granola, fruit platter and the banana bread French toast all of which were excellent

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I actually prefer this menu to the menu that was offered on the outbound LHR-JFK flight the other week.

I do think they need to step it up though with the catering, especially in UC.

We don’t need Michelin star food, or fancy food.
We need food that tastes good, is appealing. Even if it’s comfort food.
Virgin are trying too much to deliver a luxury meal, but cannot deliver.

[mitchja]

Outbound I had the soup as a starter followed Pan Roasted Haddock, which was really good:

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Desert was the Summer Berry pudding:

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For the afternoon tea, as well as the sandwiches, quiche, scone and small cake selection there was a ‘secret’ chicken burger option not listed on the menu. I had the listed afternoon tea:

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Inbound I had the speedy supper and a selection of breakfast items fruit platter, muesli and banana bread French toast.

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Overall I was impressed with both flight menus.

Who ever is in charge of catering at VS is obviously NOT a foodie!!
Such awful choices.
Bring back the Steak and Burger sliders.
Paying a premium price and receiving such a poor choice and quality of food.
It's not rocket science and dosen't need to be Michelin Star.

For sure. VS21 recently was a so-so tomato soup, bland and dry chicken karahi and overdone chocolate "lava" cake. VS10 speedy supper was a courgette soup that was overwhelmingly peppery, a tiny bit weird toastie, and dry Valrhona chocolate cake. Revivals lounge then treated me to doughy/semi-raw pancakes
Want to be loyal because there are things I love (ground experience, particularly) but I'm finding it hard to resist BA Club World flights to JFK in December that are virtually half the price of the Virgin Upper ones.