Economy Class

Virgin Australia recently launched its summer menu, and a few weeks later, I booked flights from Melbourne to Sydney (and back) to explore the onboard menus.

Airplane menu cover showcasing waffles, a margarita, a can of beverage, and crackers with dip. Text features "menu" alongside Velocity and Virgin Australia logos. Discover how this skyexpress menu brings flavors to new heights on your journey.
The SkyExpress menu offers a selection of airplane food and drink, including snacks like chips and chocolate, savory sandwiches, and an array of alcoholic beverages such as beer, wine, and spirits. Check out the competitive prices in this SkyExpress review.
Skyexpress menu showcases a variety of food and drink options with prices, offering everything from breakfast items to snacks, sandwiches, wraps, and hot meals.

The airline doesn’t provide complimentary meals in economy but offers free water, coffee, or tea.

The buy-on-board menu features 12 new items this season, with some great additions.

Here’s what I tried:

Airplane tray with a waffle, ham and cheese toastie, chips, canned drink, and cup of juice.
A packaged waffle and a waffle on a napkin are placed on a tray table in an airplane.
A waffle sandwich with chocolate filling sits on a napkin, partially eaten. A box with a waffle pattern is in the background.
An open snack box on an airplane tray table contains corn chips and tomato salsa. A can of grapefruit margarita and a cup are beside it.
A ham and cheese sandwich in an open carton on a tray table, next to a can of orange drink.

Salted Grapefruit Margarita (AUD 13.00): Refreshing and vibrant. The crew convinced me to try this. Great salespeople!

The Waffle (AUD 8.00): Packed with chocolate and undeniably delicious.

Chips and Salsa (AUD 5.00): A perfect light snack with great value for the price.

I also tried the ham and cheese toastie from The Handmade Food Co, and it’s one of the best toasties I’ve ever had inflight. It was served piping hot and crunchy.

The Street Food Co.’s hot meals are only available on longer flights, so I couldn’t sample those.

The menu offers a solid variety, even if it’s not overflowing with options, especially fresh food options.

The Verdict

There’s plenty to love about Virgin Australia’s economy menu, but a word of caution: my total spend was AUD 38 for these items.

It’s not the cheapest dining experience, but in fairness, airport prices are no better either.

But when I think about flying around Europe or Asia, I miss the option of preordering a hot meal or a fresh item like a sandwich or salad.

I understand why Virgin Australia doesn’t offer anything fresh on its inflight menu; it helps reduce wastage and costs.

But it would be nice to see some fresh food options like those you can find on Lufthansa or Swiss. (Even if I would have to pre order and pay for it when booking my ticket)

Business Class

Virgin Australiaโ€™s business-class summer menu boasts 28 fresh dishes, and I looked forward to seeing them in person.

My journey began in their Melbourne Airport lounge.

Spacious and inviting, it wasnโ€™t overly crowded and offered a good assortment of food and drinks.

Modern office lounge with a maroon sofa, round white table, and gray chairs. A potted plant stands beside the sofa. Glass partition with light reflections in the background, creating a serene setting reminiscent of perusing a SkyExpress menu during a peaceful flight.
In this modern bar area, wooden stools and white bar tables create a chic ambiance. A sign saying "Get Down to Business" hangs prominently, alongside a flat-screen TV streaming flight details. Peruse the SkyExpress menu for an array of delightful in-flight options before boarding.
A buffet setup showcases bowls of forks, knives, and spoons in white containers on a table, beside a wooden tray of pastries and stacks of plates. It's like exploring the skyexpress menu, where variety meets fine presentation.
A modern hotel lobby, adorned for Christmas with a tree sparkling with ornaments and gifts, welcomes guests as they check in at the curved reception desk. The ambiance rivals a holiday-themed skyexpress review, promising comfort and cheer from entrance to suite.
A buffet counter showcases bowls of granola, a platter of mixed fruit, and a metal pitcher on a white tablecloth, reminiscent of the delightful selections found in the SkyExpress menu.
In front of a beverage cooler sits a buffet setup featuring two red pots filled with scrambled eggs and sausages, reminiscent of options you might find on the Skyexpress menu.
Modern lounge area with a curved gray banquette and three round tables, each paired with a chair. Green hanging plants decorate the space while monitors showcase a tennis match. The ambiance is perfect for browsing the SkyExpress menu or catching up on a SkyExpress review.
Two conveyor toasters sit on a counter with trays of sliced bread nearby, while a refrigerator stocked with drinks hums in the background. Perfectly capturing the casual charm highlighted in many SkyExpress reviews, this setup promises a delightful breakfast experience.
The modern airport lounge, with its curved seating and hanging plants, offers travelers a serene escape. Through large windows, guests can relax while perusing the SkyExpress menu at the bar counter in the background.
People standing at a counter labeled "Glorious Food" and "Cheeky Drinks" in a modern food court setting, eagerly discussing the SkyExpress menu.
The hotel buffet yogurt bar impresses with its array of labeled containers featuring assorted yogurts and toppings, including fresh fruit and crunchy granola. After indulging, I'm eager to check out the SkyExpress menu for more delightful surprises.

I stayed away from eating, saving myself for the onboard experience.

Inflight

Once onboard, I was welcomed with a choice of juice or water. Shortly after takeoff, the breakfast options were presented: a spinach frittata or waffles.

A glass of orange juice on a recycled napkin rests on an airplane tray table in front of gray airline seats, offering a refreshing glimpse into the quality found in the SkyExpress menu.

I opted for the spinach frittata, served piping hot and plated beautifully.

The amount of food provided was quite substantial, especially considering it was a short flight between capital cities, and it left me feeling thoroughly satisfied.

Although the tray presentation was minimal and lacked items like bread, yogurt, fresh fruit, or perhaps some butter and jam, I can honestly say Iโ€™ll manage without them.

Life goes onโ€ฆ

Airplane meal on a tray with sausages, potatoes, greens, beans, and a square-shaped food item, accompanied by a glass of orange juice and a glass of water.


Thanks to Joshua, I snapped a quick photo of the waffles, and they also looked fantastic.

A plate of waffles with syrup, topped with whipped cream and a strawberry. Accompanied by a glass of orange juice and a glass of water. A hand holds a cloth nearby.

What truly stood out to me was the attention to detail in service.

Even on short domestic flights, cabin crew plate up every meal in business class, creating a premium, restaurant style atmosphere.

Joshua was professional, always carrying a waiterโ€™s cloth and tray throughout the cabin.

Small details like these make the entire experience feel polished and elevated, as it should in a premium cabin.

Aerial view of a cityscape with numerous buildings, waterways, bridges, and boats under a clear blue skyโ€”perfect for a SkyExpress review.

It was a beautiful day for flying and the views of Sydney were incredible.

Conclusion

Virgin Australiaโ€™s attention to presentation and service certainly competes strongly with Qantas.

With tickets priced at about one-third of the price of Qantas, Virgin Australiaโ€™s business class offers incredible value.

Their focus on service and presentation delivers a polished and premium experience that feels far more luxurious than the price suggests.

READ MORE

Virgin Australia Business Class Inflight Meals

Review: Virgin Australia Economy Class

About Virgin Australia

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