upgraded PE food service

I flew on 23rd Aug on VS19 LHR-SFO. Premium econ, upper deck.
We were a trial flight for a new style of food service, and were asked our opinions after lunch. We were handed menu cards (quite small - about A6 I'd guess). When the service came, it was tray service but with proper crockery - a plain white design although as it's a trial I guess they wouldn't have branded crockery made up especially. The food was apparently exactly the same as in economy, but served on posh dinner service. The cutlery was the plastic upper class cutlery, although it will apparently be metal when the service launches properly. We were offered hot rolls too, which were the same as the Upper Class selection. The wine glass was a nice new design too. Later in the flight, the ice cream selection was nicer than the economy one (apparently, anyhow - one of our friends had come up from econ and was sitting on the jump seat while we had cake and champagne to celebrate a birthday. When the icecreams came around, he was told he couldn't have one as they only had enough for PE pax!)
I've got photos somewhere but they're on a friends camera and I'm not sure how to get them onto my computer. Am also not sure how to post them up here, but will do so if anyone's interested! (You dont want to know how stupid I felt taking photos of my lunch)
All in all I thought it was nice but could maybe have done with a little more thought to layout on the tray. It certainly made the food seem a little more upmarket than those oval plastic dishes and cheaper trays. I guess there is a lot to be said for presentation
Pending trial results, apparently due for launch in mid Q4 or thereabouts, from what I recall.

Originally posted by GrinningJackanapes
My fellow V-Flyer countrymen,

Could this be the first of our much awaited upgrades in the provision of the VS experience? Could PE and then, with the grace of our gracious God, Upper Class be set to see upgrades in servicing clients to such a level of bliss that a stud horse might well blush? Has this meal, so richly described by scribe Scally, not fragrance?

Have the bean counters been given the pole?

I'm liking this little bit of reconaissance...well done, Scally. I'd pinch your cheek, but I'm not sure which cheek you'd like pinched. You deserve the MI5 Award for today. Keep 'em coming, soldier.

GJ

This may be reconaissance ... however I'm increasingly convinced that you're a renaissance scribe GJ, perhaps left over from a princely court of Venice? Such language doth make me smile!

Originally posted by GrinningJackanapes
Have the bean counters been given the pole?

GJ

I have yet to see a Bean Counter fall victim to their own cost cutting [n]

One day one day

They're probably going to introduce this so that they can cut back on it at a later date as there's nothing really they can take away from PE yet

[preiffer]

^ Indeed - ultimate cost-reduction : remove all beancounters [y]


They're bloody expensive, after all [:0]

Originally posted by preiffer
^ Indeed - ultimate cost-reduction : remove all beancounters [y]


They're bloody expensive, after all [:0]

Ahem! But good value for money I am sure you would agree.

[preiffer]

Originally posted by sailor99
Ahem! But good value for money I am sure you would agree.

Difficult to say when it's them providing the statistics on what "value for money" IS... [}:)][:p]

[Neil]

If I may just go back OT for a second[:I]...

This is an interesting post and with the results of the poll in the Clubhouse section about the PE service it shows that it is something most VF's think is required. VS did say they were going to make the PE offering better and lots hope that this is the start of a few small changes that could really make the difference (and help justify the cost a wee bit more)

Neil:)

Its pretty obvious to flyers and cabin crew that the competition has copied and in some areas surpassed Virgins PE product and offered it cheaper, we know that Virgin historically leads the way in inflight innovations, guess they have realised its time to do it again.

Odd they are cutting back on UCS thrills though and transfering the cash to PE.

On a foot note, any good business man that wants to optimise profits usually gets rid of the accountants first. Closely followed by a management tear that shows the least innovation.

[fozzyo]

Excellent - thanks for that feedback Scally! Don't worry about feeling embarrased about taking photos of food on your flight - there is a whole website dedicated to it! If you could get the photo's would be great if you can upload them, send me a quick PM if you need some help.

This will be a very welcome increase to the PE product, with the new seats that are coming along its great to see some enhancements to a product that has been pretty much left untouched for a very long time with the exception of a minor seat design change.

While it may be the same food at the moment, just by changing the presentation will help to distinguish the cabin from Economy. And could also help boost the product as a Business Class for companies who can't afford J but want some extra comfort.

[Scrooge]

Originally posted by GrinningJackanapes

Originally posted by sailor99

Ahem! But good value for money I am sure you would agree.

No.

GJ

The shortest GJ reply in history..... and one I happen to agree with as well [y]

[mcmbenjamin]

Originally posted by preiffer
^ Indeed - ultimate cost-reduction : remove all beancounters [y]


They're bloody expensive, after all [:0]

Total crap idea. Who would pay the rest of folks? [:?]

m'kay y'all, I've put a few rather poor quality photos of the food up into the photos section. I have no idea how to link to them properly but


should get you there


Time for bed for me. Having just been snogged by my taxi driver on the way back to the hotel. er. ?!! (That's a service they've not introduced to either UC or the limos yet!)

[Neil]

Thanks for the pics - personally I think it looks good and think it would be a good plus point for the PE service, hopefully VS will make the trial idea a perminant thing.

Neil:)

Personally I don't see the point. If I'm travelling in PE I'm not overly bothered about a china dish with the same (economy class)food in it as I was getting in a plastic dish previously.
If they're gonna go that far I'd rather see them upgrade the meal at the same time.
Having said all this I'm rarely impressed or bothered by airline food anyway, I still remember having a rubber salmon in UC last year, jeez I badly wanted an economy meal at that time

To be honest, I prefer economy food over some of the things I've heard of and seen for UC. Not a lover of fancy cuisine with olive oil or whatever covering some bed of fancy lettuce etc. Nice bit of chicken, pasta and some broccoli is fine by me


The new dishes don't look that bad. Possibly a bit easier to fit of the tray/table and that glass of wine/coke? would look good in my pilfered glass collection

Anything that adds a bit more value to the PE product has got to be a good thing, I remember my first PE flight, I was slightly disappointed that my meal was exactly the same as Y, this was about 5 years ago, and I think at the time I set my expectations too high.

Now I love PE for what it is but I can easily see how some people think its overpriced. However I do think this market has changed and the charters are now catching up and indeed passing VS on this type of cabin, Virgin should really be making big changes to stay ahead.

Thanks, Scally!:D

Personally, I hope this idea does take off[8D]

VS.

What do they do anyway with the food - tip it out into a ceramic dish in the kitchen or does it come pre-packed in the dishes?

I would assume they tip the food out of the pre-packed dish it's served to Y pax in & put it onto a proper plate in the galley. Given that the food in PE & Y is currently the same, I cannot see them doing it any other way.

I personally think that it is cooked in the ceramic dishes. There are too many Premium passengers and too few Premium cabin crew for each one to be transfered from plastic to ceramic in the galley. It would also get in the way of the food prep for Upper.
I will try and have a look on our intranet to see if there is any more info.

I think that it looks quite good, and a lot less "TV Dinner" than the current Y meal. The enhanced bread service (rather than the "playschool mini-loaves"), and switching drinks from plastic to glass is a nice touch too.

The Air NZ Premium Economy service is quite good, in that it features the bar selection and cheeses from Business Premier, plus some other extras.

The only other thing which would be nice for me is a nice green salad on the side, rather than the pasta thing.

Judging from the foil wrap over the top of the dish in the picture, I'd guess it is heated in the new dish. I guess the dish also allows for better presentation of the food (when it's put in the dish by the caterer), if it becomes a permanent fixture.

I notice the dessert is different as well, not "Yumbo" chocolate glop.

Looks like a good start, and I hope that the PE travellers do provide good feedback. It's good to see someone putting a shine on a product, when so many are taking away.

Cheers,
Mike

Given the foil top it looks similar to how the do it on Eurostar and have the meals cooked in the dishes.

[HighFlyer]

Oh gosh - please, please tell me that is not clingfilm on top of the ceramic trays?

Thanks,
Sarah

Well Sarah...

Do you want us to tell you that it isn't clingfilm, or are you asking a serious question. Gee... sorry... it looks like clingfilm to me.