V-Flyer

Flying back from DEL today, the menu made no mention of the 'freedom' concept. Has this bitten the dust? Or just missed off the rather poorly produced menu cards ex India?

I believe it has gone - Reiffer is flying today and has texted me to say it has gone. Doesn't surprise me really though, the Freedom concept has been MIA for years now.

Originally posted by RichardMannion
I believe it has gone - Reiffer is flying today and has texted me to say it has gone. Doesn't surprise me really though, the Freedom concept has been MIA for years now.

I hadn't noticed it on my last few flights - that said, I've also asked for my meals later than the other pax. I generally try to work when I can after take off then when tired or had to much fizz put the laptop aside and ask for my meal. Each of the crew members I have asked has been fine with this.

Definitely gone. The menu has the same (limited) choices : 2 starters, 3 mains, 2 desserts.

NO mention of Freedom to eat what you want whenever, ANYWHERE in the menu, which has also been reduced from 8 sides (2 folded pages) to 4 sides (1 folded page). The white wines have been reduced to 2, and the descriptions of all wines have been 'streamlined' into one sentence 'tag-lines'. The reality is, I dare say if the crew are asked to serve something outside of 'meal-times' they probably will...


Must be that weight-saving axe swinging again.

It does sound as if they are reducing this service. However, the Virgin web site shows the Spring menu on it and still mentions the Freedom concept.

Perhaps they are waiting to see what the reaction is?

Hope it hasn't as I prefer to have it a bit later. After a face-stuffing exercise in the CH, eating dinner shortly afterwards isn't going to still well.

White wines reduced to two ... well I hope the money saved on ink has gone into improving the quality of the wine.

Doubt it though.

The bit I don't get, is that the Freedom concept CAN'T have *cost* VS any money at all to operate. This would simply be a change to the crew flows.

Beyond that, in reality very few people actually made use of it from what I know, so why cut something out that's free but seen by a few as a key differentiator from the competition. [?]

Excellent point, Paul: how does eliminating the Freedom element result in extra profit? If anything, the idea has greater potential to reduce profit as service is watered down.

Has anyone who has flown recently been able to confirm if the Freedom Menu is still officially running without being overtly advertised, is it now down to whether the crew are willing to react to personal requests, or is it no longer an option? It would be interesting to know the official company line on this.

As the onboard offering has been trimmed back somewhat, 'freedom' started to look more and more like an oxymoron. I can understand the marketing 'blah' around it going away.

However, I'd be surprised if you still can't have your meal served at an alternative time on request, unless there's been a significant change in the service flow.

Some other airlines don't say they offer a 'freedom'-like service, but generally will let their J pax choose when they want to eat. Gulf Air springs to mind as one who will do this, when I flew with them, I was asked if I would like my main meal now (i.e. after departure), or something to be saved for later.

Obviously, this sort of service doesn't work if the norm is to reheat all the meals at once, this rules 'freedom'-like service out in most airlines' J cabins.

As for the loss of 'freedom' costing or saving money for VS, I don't think it will make much difference. The average V-Flyer may be into all this stuff, but ask yourself if the average VS J pax sees Upper Class as anything more than a nicer J cabin service, and is aware of the various niceties they can get?

Mike

I agree, but I much prefer to eat on 'local' time in prep for meetings etc. If this is not an option, given the 'trimming' of the onboard menu, I will just plan to arrive earlier and pig out in the CH beforehand - just snacking during the flight!

I wonder if sufficient pax chose this option, would it ultimately save VS money?

The only issue with 'snacking during the flight' is what to snack on. I have been on too many flights where all of the light bite options have already (allegedly) run out.

Thanks,
Sarah

Maybe we should all board with 'doggy bags' from the CH.

I usually nick several hand fulls of sweets from the jars by the TV screen.

I'm thinking VS could promote a take on service to replace the Freedom Menu. A stackable design akin to tiffin tins (capable of keeping food hot/ chilled) could be ordered from the CH menu - I'd go for sushi for starters, shepherds pie to follow. They could be stored under the ottoman or in the overhead lockers so all the crew have to do is come up with the place setting. Naturally the price of the ticket should be reduced to reflect the introduction of the DIY element! OMG I really do need to get out more.

The biggest deal I can see with the freedom menu is that on certain flights, if the crew rotates into rest, it becomes a bit of a chore to have to serve dinner to passengers especially on a full UC flight. On the whole, the menu hasn't been mentioning freedom recently, yet I did see a handful of passengers eating at odd times in my most recent flight. I'm sure they will accomodate, just won't advertise it too much.

The three white wines have been replaced with two whites, one rose' wine on the latest list. This looks like Virgin acting on a trend we've seen in the last three/four years or so. Eg, in a local merchant, Billy Brut at $49, Billecart Rose, $79 .... them be the trends of the times. Smart of Virgin to offer the selection, if you ask me. We'll see what it tastes like [;)]

Originally posted by Jacki
I'm thinking VS could promote a take on service to replace the Freedom Menu. A stackable design akin to tiffin tins (capable of keeping food hot/ chilled) could be ordered from the CH menu - I'd go for sushi for starters.......

Not a bad idea at all, I always have the sushi tray in the CH and I wished they offered something similar in the air.

That would be a good idea, and better for the GNF flights when you want a small meal quickly as you want some rest but something a little more substantial than a macaroon cookie!

Thanks,
Sarah

Originally posted by Jacki
A stackable design akin to tiffin tins (capable of keeping food hot/ chilled) could be ordered from the CH menu - I'd go for sushi for starters, shepherds pie to follow. They could be stored under the ottoman or in the overhead lockers so all the crew have to do is come up with the place setting.

Would be cold by the time 'service' is allowed to start. The air conditioning system on the aircraft is so powerful, that a hot meal will go stone cold within about 15 minutes of being removed from the oven.

Mike

There is always someone ready to burst my overactive imagination! What about packing the hot dishes in vacuum bags that heat up spontaneously when you twist them, I think the explorers use them?

Have you ever tasted those MRE's [?] they make the bangers and mash of old look great [:$]

Point taken, clearly the quality control aspect has been lost in the excitement! I guess that's why I don't work in catering!

ÒArise and take our stand for freedom as in the olden time.Ó -- Winston Churchill

GJ

I'm sitting in the SFO Clubhouse right now and the revamped menu here clearly refers to being able to look at 'today's onboard Freedom menu'.

I shall see what the onboard menu has to say for itself with interest.