Aircraft Interiors International
  • News
    • Aircraft Safety
    • Aircraft Seating
    • Airline News
    • Airframer News
    • Cabin Design
    • Catering & Onboard Retail
    • Galleys & Monuments
    • Industry News
    • Inflight Amenities
    • Inflight Connectivity
    • In-flight Entertainment
    • Materials. Trim & Finish
    • MRO
    • Passenger Experience
    • Passenger Health & Safety
    • Sustainability
  • Features
  • Online Magazines
    • March 2025
    • Design Showcase 2025
    • November 2024
    • March 2024
    • November 2023
    • Aug/Sep 2023
    • Archive Issues
    • Subscribe Free!
  • Opinion
  • Videos
  • Images
  • Supplier Spotlight
  • Jobs
    • Browse Industry Jobs
    • Post a Job – It’s FREE!
    • Manage Jobs (Employers)
  • Events
LinkedIn YouTube X (Twitter)
LinkedIn YouTube
Subscribe to Magazine Subscribe to Email Newsletter Media Pack
Aircraft Interiors International
  • News
      • Aircraft Safety
      • Aircraft Seating
      • Airline News
      • Airframer News
      • Cabin Design
      • Catering & Onboard Retail
      • Galleys & Monuments
      • Industry News
      • Inflight Amenities
      • Inflight Connectivity
      • In-flight Entertainment
      • Materials. Trim & Finish
      • MRO
      • Passenger Experience
      • Passenger Health & Safety
      • Sustainability
  • Features
  • Online Magazines
    1. March 2025
    2. Design Showcase 2025
    3. November 2024
    4. September 2024
    5. May 2024
    6. March 2024
    7. Design Showcase 2024
    8. Archive Issues
    9. Subscribe Free!
    Featured
    March 6, 2025

    The March 2025 issue of Aircraft Interiors International is out!

    Accessibility By Web Team
    Recent

    The March 2025 issue of Aircraft Interiors International is out!

    March 6, 2025

    The 2025 Aircraft Interiors International Showcase issue is out!

    January 13, 2025

    The November 2024 issue of Aircraft Interiors International is out!

    November 13, 2024
  • Opinion
  • Videos
  • Podcast
  • Images
  • Supplier Spotlight
  • Jobs
    • Browse Industry Jobs
    • Post a Job – It’s FREE!
    • Manage Jobs (Employers)
  • Events
LinkedIn YouTube
Aircraft Interiors International
Catering & Onboard Retail

Virgin Atlantic adds luxuries to its spring 2021 inflight menus

Adam GavineBy Adam GavineMarch 10, 20215 Mins Read
Share LinkedIn Twitter Facebook Email
a stewardess in a virgin upper class cabin pouring wine for a guest

In a welcome taste of ‘normal’ airline news, Virgin Atlantic has developed new Spring menus for its onboard service. Following the restart of passenger flying in July 2020, the airline simplified its service onboard with Covid-safe measures to minimise interaction between customers and crew. Further developments see some of the most popular elements of Virgin Atlantic’s Upper Class service return, with some added extras, while still ensuring health and safety.

Guests in Upper Class are now offered a welcome drink upon boarding, bringing the start of the inflight experience more in line with the glorious pre-2020 experience. They are then offered a choice of three individually plated hot meals as part of the main meal service, accompanied by a salad and menu of three desserts, including cheese and biscuits.

The full menus are listed below.

On day flights, Upper Class customers are offered a second meal service, which includes the ‘Mile High Tea’ by famed pâtissier Eric Lanlard, and can now opt for a deli dish or a lighter option if they prefer. On night flights there is a choice of three hot breakfasts, as well as side dishes including fresh seasonal fruit, bircher muesli and pastries. All these options can be washed down with a selection of champagne, wine, liquors, soft drinks and teas and coffees. More champagne? More everything!

Travelling in Premium class receive a bespoke meal service, including a choice of three hot meals, cheese and biscuits and a dessert, all served on a tray. For the second meal service, customers receive the Mile High Tea, with a choice of a glass of prosecco or a hot drink or on night flights, followed by a breakfast including a warm pastry, seasonal fruit and yoghurt, served with PG Tips tea or Change Please coffee.

Economy class flyers also receive an updated catering offer, with a choice of two hot meals as part of the ‘Fly Safe, Eat Well’ meal box, which also includes cheese and biscuits and a dessert. The second meal service includes the Mile High Tea on day flights, or a breakfast consisting of a warm pastry, fruit and yoghurt on night flights. Customers in Premium and Economy can also choose from a selection of wines, beers, liquors and soft drinks throughout the flight.

Corneel Koster, Virgin Atlantic’s chief customer and operating officer commented, “We know our customers are missing that magical feeling you get when you step onboard an aircraft, ready to start your travels. Whilst customers may not be able to travel right now, we’re bringing back those little touches, including welcome drinks, hand-plated food and more choice of meals, so that first flight after lockdown feels even more special.

“All these additions have been made whilst continuing to uphold some of the most comprehensive health and safety measures in the industry,” he added (see below).

Dining options for Virgin Atlantic customers in 2021 include a main course of roasted chicken breast, potato purée, sautéed spinach and girolles mushrooms, served with Bourguignon sauce

The new Upper Class menu:

  1. Welcome drinks upon boarding
  2. Drinks and snacks after takeoff
  3. Main meal

Starter

  • Mozzarella and tomato salad with micro basil and cress (v)
  • Ciabatta roll with butter

Main

  • Roasted chicken breast, potato purée, sautéed spinach, girolles mushrooms, Bourguignon sauce
  • Artichoke tortellini (v) with wilted spinach, grilled artichokes and sage butter sauce
  • Roasted salmon fillet, lemon and spring onion giant couscous, grilled baby courgettes and chervil sauce

Dessert

  • Coconut lemon tartlet
  • Seasonal fresh fruit
  • Cheddar, Brie, and Stilton with crackers
  1. Second meal service

Eric Lanlard Mile High Tea

  • West country cheddar and carrot chutney on malted roll and Mediterranean falafel wrap
  • Scone with clotted cream and strawberry jam
  • Raspberry glazed éclair, salted caramel vanilla tart and cherry macaron

Deli dish

  • Chicken terrine, spiced cauliflower and braised pineapple
  • Chocolate gateau

Lighter option

  • Asian-style glass noodle salad, seaweed and charred pineapple
  • Fresh fruit salad
  1. Breakfast
  • Full breakfast including chicken sausage, turkey rashers, scrambled eggs, baked beans, herb potatoes, roasted tomato and mushrooms
  • Vegetarian cooked Breakfast including cheddar cheese omelette, mushroom, hash brown and vine roasted cherry tomatoes
  • Mini apple pancakes with creme anglaise and apple cinnamon compote

Dine in good health

“Making sure everyone flies safe and well is a non-negotiable and has been an absolute priority for us since the start of the pandemic, added Koster. “Our commitment is underpinned by robust cleaning measures both in the air and on the ground, our innovative customer experience, the introduction of Covid-19 insurance and the fact that we test our crews before every departure from the UK and our ground teams at least once a week.”

The airline’s health and safety measures include enhanced and thorough cleaning practices at check in, boarding gates and onboard, including the use of electrostatic spraying of high-grade disinfectant in all cabins and lavatories before every flight.  Safe physical distancing will also be adhered to wherever possible, and mask wearing will be required throughout the journey. All customers will be provided with a personal Health Pack, which will contain medical-grade face masks to be worn onboard, surface wipes and hand gel.

Face masks will be a feature on board for a while to come, but Virgin Atlantic has worked to make its inflight experience as pleasant as possible for 2021
Share. Twitter LinkedIn Facebook Email
Previous ArticleDnata promotes Steve Allen to lead global operations
Next Article Brexit barriers to business aviation must be eliminated, says EBAA
Adam Gavine
  • X (Twitter)

Adam loves air travel, and since taking on the Aircraft Interiors International brand he has really enjoyed the opportunity to be involved with the latest aircraft and airline products before they are even launched. Adam co-ordinates the growth of the brand platform, and sits on various panels, including the Crystal Cabin Awards

Related Posts

Catering & Onboard Retail

Get ready for the APEX FTE shows in Dublin

May 23, 20252 Mins Read
Aircraft Seating

United reveals its ‘Elevated’ premium Boeing 787-9 interiors

May 14, 20256 Mins Read
Airline News

WTCE shares highlights from a successful 2025 event

May 14, 20258 Mins Read
Latest Posts

Encore signs exclusive esports IFE distribution deal with Blast

May 23, 2025

Royal Air Maroc brings in scalable IFE upgrades

May 23, 2025

Luxair selects Recaro R2 SFE economy seat

May 23, 2025
Supplier Spotlights
Our Social Channels
  • YouTube
  • LinkedIn
Getting in Touch
  • Subscribe to Magazine
  • Meet The Editors
  • Contact Us
  • Media Pack
Related Topics
  • Aerospace Testing
  • Business Airport
  • Business Jet Interiors
FREE WEEKLY NEWS EMAIL!

Get the 'best of the week' from this website direct to your inbox every Wednesday


© 2023 Mark Allen Group Ltd | All Rights Reserved
  • Cookie Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.