Virgin Friday evening first class offering

I notice that Virgin’s ‘proper’ evening meal menu now says “Monday to Thursday”, and instead for Fridays:

“Got that Friday feeling? On Friday evenings we get the weekend started early with prosecco and one of our special dishes. Listen out for our announcements to discover what you could be tucking into on your journey.”

I assume this means the hot meal service and the full alcohol selection have all been enhanced away?

Does anyone know what I might get?

I travelled in FC on Friday evening 2 weeks ago from MAN to EUS. The staff apologised that there was no hot food available so it was basically the weekend offering but I was allowed to have a double-helping from the trolley plus a glass of white wine which was very nice but definitely not prosecco!

kingston said:

I assume this means the hot meal service and the full alcohol selection have all been enhanced away?

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To be fair to them this is probably because Friday evening is now Off Peak rather than Anytime (and presumably Advances reduced accordingly) so the income will have dropped and passenger numbers increased.

(This of course amply demonstrates that the "peak" is about price gouging and not business - Friday evenings is by far the busiest time on all IC routes!)

I was served fish and chips on Fridays in 1st a few times back in late Spring which was pleasant enough.

On the chieftain yesterday I was in 1st class and someone sat there wanting to upgrade. When the inspector came by he said for his journey the upgrade only applies at weekends (When no hot food is served) and he would have to pay £200 for a full 1st ticket. The guard did allow him to finish his breakfast before returning to standard as he didn't want to pay that. I imagine, like with Friday evenings, business won't offer high quality if demand is too high.

kingston said:

I notice that Virgin’s ‘proper’ evening meal menu now says “Monday to Thursday”, and instead for Fridays:

“Got that Friday feeling? On Friday evenings we get the weekend started early with prosecco and one of our special dishes. Listen out for our announcements to discover what you could be tucking into on your journey.”

I assume this means the hot meal service and the full alcohol selection have all been enhanced away?

Does anyone know what I might get?

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So, "Buy a First Class ticket and you'll get ... well, you'll find out if you listen out for an announcement. But it includes some fizz. Which is tough if you don't drink alcohol. But hey! That's the Virgin Friday feeling!"

I'm a weekly user of Virgin Trains and unfortunately had to travel home many weeks on a Friday since it's introduction. The offering is mostly the following

(Hot)
* Fish and Chips
* Vegetarian option (they sometimes keep this quiet and is nearly exclusively Ricotta and Basil Ravioli but is sometimes Pan Fried Gnocchi)
(Cold)
* Cheese and Crackers
* Mediterranean Deli selection
* Teriyaki Jackfruit Salad (sometimes)
* Chicken and Chorizo Flatbread (sometimes)
* Avocado and Rice Salad with Asian Dressing (sometimes)

Some choice quotes from various staff I've overheard
* It's Friday so Virgin Trains Management think Cheese and Crackers is a main option unlike Mon-Thurs
* If you want a decent food selection don't travel on a Friday

My undestanding is it was introduced to cope with passenger numbers after changes to Friday Peak. It was difficult to get the full hot menu out to customers for Lichfield/Tamworth leaving Euston etc.

It does appear they have improved the chips served with the fish and chips.

As a regular user of the service I don't like it. Looking at the menu online and whilst having a Friday leaning to my evening travel I haven't once been offered
* Braised Welsh Lamb
* Seared Hake with Mustard Tarragon Cream Sauce
* Chicken Tikka Masala
* Smoked Haddock, Cod and Salmon Linguine
* Zesty Clementine Tart with Cream (desert)

I've resorted to ordering a wrap for collection at Euston Nando's. I've noticed more passengers do the same.

Why would they be bothered? I’d have reduced 1st to bags of crisps, skol lager and blue nun in their position

You won’t get a meal when it is First Great Italia time

Hate to be -that guy- and ruin the party, but to be honest I'm quite okay with getting on a train and going from A to B without being fussed over. I understand the idea of First Class on an 8 hour flight or whatever, but seriously 2 hours from London to Manchester?? Just get me there and I'm happy. As I think 99% would be.

sjoh said:

As I think 99% would be.

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If that were accurate you would only fill five first class seats on every Pendolino.

sjoh said:

Just get me there and I'm happy. As I think 99% would be.

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Not in first class they wouldn't!

The Prisoner said:

You won’t get a meal when it is First Great Italia time

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Course not, only Virgin do that.

Virgin are guilty of inserting random 'weekend' days around Christmas and New Year where a limited service is provided in First Class, even on days which are neither a weekend or Bank Holiday. The weekday catering and drinks are fine, but nothing that I suspect costs more than £5/head so I always think it's a false economy as it creates a poor impression in passengers minds when they get offered a bottle of water and pack of crisps.

AlterEgo said:

If that were accurate you would only fill five first class seats on every Pendolino.

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GNER always had high occupancy in 1st even though the free offering was just tea/coffee/cold drinks/nibbles with substantial offerings all paid for and IMO better quality, larger portions. The idea that 1st is only attractive if there are copious freebies is a somewhat recent thing and IMO it doesn't apply to the majority who travel on full fare 1st tickets who can often be seen refusing much of the free offerings.