From the Air New Zealand Koru Club in Sydney, we boarded our V Australia flight to Los Angeles.
The 777-300ER taking us to LAX
We flew this service on the outbound from LAX to SYD in VA Business, so we were familiar with what to expect, although this time my wife and I were flying together, so it makes for a bit more pleasant experience for the long flight. Especially since the lack of privacy is less of an issue when sitting with a partner. This flight typical of eastbound trans-Pacific flights that departed in the early afternoon, and arrived in the US in the morning of the same day.
Virgin Australia Business Class product
Upon boarding we were quickly offered a drink and given menus. The amenity kits, headsets and pillow were already at our seats. Please see Darren’s detailed review of the V Australia amenity kit.
Amenity kit
Noise-cancelling headset. This headset was fine in terms of comfort and sound, but in both areas I preferred my Bose QC 20.
View from our seats in row 4, this time I had the aisle seat.
Thanks to our late boarding, once seated, it didn’t take long before doors were closed, and we were ready for push back. Upon leveling off, we were served warm nuts and a drink of our choice.
Cocktail list and a view of the initial service.
We both went with “The Australian”. It tasted okay to me, but it was too sweet for my wife.
Having eaten in the lounge prior to boarding, I’m glad they didn’t serve the main meal right away. In fact, they offered another drink prior to the meal.
Wine list
We both had a glass of champagne.
Finally it was time for our lunch. Menu is below with suggested wine pairings.
Australia to Los Angeles
Lunch
Bakery
- Your choice of warmed artisan breads V
with Luke Mangan’s extra virgin olive oil and dukkah sipping sauce
Soup E
- Beetroot and aromatic vegetable borscht V
Catherine Vale Hunter Valley (New South Wales) 2010 Timo’s Arneis
Starters E
- King smoked salmon with Thai dressing, green papaya and coriander *
Millbrook Jarrahdale (Western Australia) 2010 Sauvignon Blanc
Or
- Char grilled Cajun chicken with tabouleh and lime dressing
Catherine Vale Hunter Valley (New South Wales) 2010 Timo’s Arneis
Main Courses
- Lamb cutlets with kipfler potatoes, Dutch carrots, spring vegetables and mint
Hope Family Wines Paso Robles (California) 2007/08 Lot 2 Candor Merlot
- Crisp braised duck leg with chorizo sausage, haricot beans, soy beans and tarragon
Mayfield Orange (New South Wales) Icely RD 2009 Sangiovese
- Barramundi fillet with eggplant salsa, green asparagus, tomato and caper dressing *
Starmont Napa Valley (California) 2009 Chardonnay
- Mushroom, spinach and cheddar cheese pie with mesclun V
John Duval Wines Barossa Valley (South Australia) 2007 Plexus Red Blend
Cheese Selection E
- Ashgrove cloth bound mature cheddar, Launceston, Tasmania
- Old Telegraph Road triple creme brie, Gippsland, Victoria
- Tarago River Shadows of Blue, Gippsland, Victoria
Served with date and pistachio roll, glace fig and crispbread
Dessert E
- Milk chocolate and pistachio cheesecake with banana and honey
Bimbadgen Estate Riverina (New South Wales) 2006 Botrytis Semillion
- Pat and Sticks – Luke Mangan’s raspberry ripple ice cream
- Pat and Sticks – Caramel pecan ice cream
Refreshments on Request E
- Chocolate peppermint slice
- Lemon and butter shortbread
- Roast pumpkin and goat’s cheese savoury muffin
We apologise if your first choice is not available
V = Vegetarian * = Healthier choice E = Express Dining
Let’s eat!
Initial place setting. This is a glass of Sauvignon Blanc and sparkling water.
All glassware is Riedel and the china is branded V Australia. In retrospect, I really should have asked to keep the salt and pepper shakers…
Dukkah dipping sauce
Salmon appetizer
After some excellent lamb in New Zealand, I couldn’t bring myself to order it in-flight, so I went for the barramundi.
My wife ordered the mushroom pie
Ice cream for dessert
As I experienced on my outbound V Australia flight, the food was good, but not outstanding in terms of flavor. I appreciated having 4 options for a main course
After dinner, given that it was late afternoon Australia time, I was by no means ready to sleep, so I explored the excellent IFE system, Red, and watched a movie.
(photo from outbound flight)
Virgin Australia in-flight bar
I explored the on board bar near door 2, behind my seating row. The bar was primarily self-serve, but if a flight attendant was nearby, they were happy to mix a drink.
Contents of the various shelves on the bar
Bedtime
Eventually I decided to turn in, as although it was the very early morning in my destination, I had already had a pretty long day. As I mentioned in my past report on VA Business Class, the seats are comfortable, but not great for sleeping. There are also additional photos of the bedding in that post.
This photo shows the adjustable leg rest.
When in bed mode, there is an additional piece that is attached over the metal piece that lengthens the bed overall. I was still able to get several hours of uninterrupted sleep. The flight departed from Sydney mid-afternoon, so our arrival at LAX was mid-morning, that seemed to help with adjusting to the proper time zone. About 90 minutes before our scheduled arrival, the flight attendants began to prepare the cabin for breakfast. The menu is below:
Breakfast
Juice
- Orange juice or seasonal fruit smoothie
Cereal
- Muesli Cornflakes or Weet-Bix
Bakery
- Croissant or bread roll served with a selection of preserves or vegemite
Fruit
- Seasonal fruit selection served on its own or with natural yoghurt V *
Main Selection
- Ham, cheese and mushroom Croque Monsieur with tomato relish and chopped chives
- Orange Hotcakes with mango, passion fruit and mint garnished with creme fraiche V
Hot drinks selection
Coffee
V Australia serves Republica Fair Trade coffee:
Filter, Espresso, Cappuccino or Flat White
Tea
English Breakfast, Earl Grey, Green Tea, Chamomile or Peppermint Tea
Hot Chocolate
Choose from a cup or a mug
We apologise if your first choice is not available
V = Vegetarian * = Healthier choice E = Express Dining
I opted for the fruit smoothie and muesli which was tasty, and the hotcakes which I found to be excellent.
first breakfast course
Orange Hotcakes with mango, passion fruit and mint garnished with creme fraiche.
More famous people on board
Also similar to the outbound flight, there was an American musician sitting in business class. I actually noticed this on the plane, as opposed to being told by an agent after landing in Sydney. Sitting on the other side of the cabin in my same row was Nathan Followill, the drummer for Kings of Leon. Apparently after their tour of Australia, they went on hiatus. Hopefully that wasn’t their last tour!
As we landed, in LA, the reality that our long planned vacation was quickly coming to an end. It was a great trip, and it obviously has given me lots of blog material. Despite some bumps along the way, I would highly recommend Virgin Australia, particularly for their long-haul international services. Despite the fuel surcharges, I feel this is one of the Delta’s better award redemption options. The Aussie service was wonderful.
