Virgin Atlantic makes further improvements to on-board food and drink

Virgin Atlantic has announced further improvements to its on-board catering, with hot meals and special meals back in all classes.

Virgin Atlantic has also confirmed it would be restarting flights to Delhi, Tel Aviv, Atlanta, Mumbai and Lagos this month.

Here are the planned schedules:

Hong Kong – 3 weekly
New York – daily
Los Angeles – daily
Barbados – 1 weekly
Shanghai – 2 weekly
Miami – 3 weekly
Delhi from 1st September – 3 weekly
Tel Aviv from 6th September – 3 weekly
Lagos from 10th September – 4 weekly
Atlanta from 15th September – 3 weekly
Mumbai from 16th September – 4 weekly

Further destinations are likely to be added in late September and October. This article outlines the schedules Virgin appears to be planning but has yet to fully announce.

You can book on the Virgin Atlantic website here.

Virgin Atlantic improves its Covid catering

Virgin has announced further changes to the meal service in all cabin classes.

Virgin Atlantic already offered a decent temporary meal service. Whilst it initially launched services in July without alcohol service, it quickly moved to implement improvements.

The latest iteration sees all passengers receiving a choice of hot meals as well as an improved choice of alcoholic drinks.

Economy and Premium meal service

Economy and Premium passengers get a choice of three hot meals with cheese, biscuits and a dessert pot. These come in a ‘Fly safe, eat well’ cardboard box.

A choice of alcohol is also improving with the addition of miniature liquors and mixers in addition to beers and wines.

Virgin is reintroducing its second meal service in the form of Eric Lanlard’s Mile High Tea. On night flights you get a breakfast box with yoghurt, fruit and a warm pastry.

‘Wander Wall’ snacks will return for Premium passengers whilst economy passenger get an additional snack in their meal boxes.

Upper Class meal service

Upper Class passengers will now receive a choice of three hot meals (in addition to any special meals – see below) on all flights. This includes a ciabatta roll, dessert and cheese plate and crackers.

Meals in Upper Class are delivered on a single tray rather than a box.

Champagne, miniature liquors and mixers will also be joining the alcohol provision which previously only included beers and wines.

The second meal service is being re-introduced with Eric Lanlard’s Mile High Tea returning accompanied by a glass of champagne. On night flights, the second meal service will be a choice of hot breakfasts accompanied by a selection of fresh fruit and pastries.

On board snacks are also returning, with a selection of Corkers crisps, Olly’s Olives, Sweet & Salty cloud corn and more.

Special meals

Virgin is reintroducing special meals on its flights, starting with kosher and lacto-ovo vegetarian meals which are now available. Vegan, halal, low lactose, gluten friendly and other choices will follow from 1st October.

It goes without saying that this is a BIG and necessary improvement for many passengers who aren’t able to eat the ‘default’ meals. British Airways is still not catering for the dietary and religious requirements of many of its passengers.

Conclusion

These changes appear to have left British Airways in the dust when it comes to on-board catering. Crucially, Virgin Atlantic is offering hot meals in all classes and offering special meals.

British Airways, on the other hand, has yet to update its initial Covid catering and is still offering the same boxes filled with mostly cold food. The airline is not offering special meals and only provides a hot meal selection to First class passengers.

That said, BA told us back in June that it intented to look again at its offering during September. Hopefully Virgin Atlantic’s catering improvements will encourage British Airways to step up.

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How to earn Virgin Points from UK credit cards (April 2025)

As a reminder, there are various ways of earning Virgin Points from UK credit cards.  Many cards also have generous sign-up bonuses.

You can choose from two official Virgin Atlantic credit cards (apply here, the Reward+ card has a bonus of 18,000 Virgin Points and the free card has a bonus of 3,000 Virgin Points):

You can also earn Virgin Points from various American Express cards – and these have sign-up bonuses too.

American Express Preferred Rewards Gold is FREE for a year and comes with 20,000 Membership Rewards points, which convert into 20,000 Virgin Points.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 27th May 2025, the sign-up bonus on the ‘free for a year’ American Express Preferred Rewards Gold card is increased from 20,000 Membership Rewards points to 30,000 points. Points convert 1:1 into Avios (30,000 Avios!) and many other programmes. Some people may see even higher personalised offers. Click here to apply.

The Platinum Card from American Express comes with 50,000 Membership Rewards points, which convert into 50,000 Virgin Points.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 27th May 2025, the sign-up bonus on American Express Platinum is increased from 50,000 Membership Rewards points to a huge 80,000 points. Points convert 1:1 into Avios (80,000 Avios!) and many other programmes. Some people may see even higher personalised offers. Click here to apply.

Small business owners should consider the two American Express Business cards. Points convert at 1:1 into Virgin Points.

Click here to read our detailed summary of all UK credit cards which earn Virgin Points.