V-Flyer

I have seen a couple of references on other websites to snacks being offered for sale on VS flights.

Is it true? If so, what is the score, do the sold items replace one of the two meal services on transatlantic flights? (Okay, I know the second 'meal' hasn't been a meal on most flights for a while now.)

Sounds very LCC to me! n( n(

Nick

News to me, and if it were happening, I'd suspect we'd see a press release putting a spin on it like "increased choice aboard Virgin flights", or summink.

Its been happening for a while down the back. The snacks being refereed to are bags of Maltessers and other Mars Company confectionary. You know, the big bags that you get in all good supermarkets with the sticky tab to reseal.

It used to be the case that these items were included in the middle of the Retail Therapy guide, however having seen how popular they are on routes such as MCO (IIRC last year they had sold out!), VS seem to have moved them to the back of the Retail Therapy to a page which includes the confectionary and the champagne in the ice jacket which can be purchased on board and consumed at your seat.

It doesn't replace the second meal service but certainly on the routes with the kids it seemed to keep them occupied once the ice cream service had been done.

As willd says, it's nothing more than just snacks for sale from retail therapy catalogue.

They have been for sale for several months now.

They've been onboard for quite some time - I definitely remember being on a flight where we sold A LOT in October last year.

There are Maltesers, Minstrels, Pringles, Mars Bars, Peanuts and a few more items which I can't remember right now. I can find out on my next flight though and let you know the full list.

They do not replace any service in any cabin - ie. ice creams are still served on all daylight flights. They are available to purchase at any point during the flight and as mentioned, all products are listed on the back page of the Retail Therapy magazine.

Some passengers purchase the snacks after take off to have with drinks whilst others purchase them when they get a bit peckish half way through the flight.

The snacks do sell very well on all the LGW flights where there are a lot of children.

I imagine they are sold at a stupidly high mark up compared to what you would pay at WH Smith in the airport (which in turn are already way more than you would pay at the supermarket)

Neil wrote:I imagine they are sold at a stupidly high mark up compared to what you would pay at WH Smith in the airport (which in turn are already way more than you would pay at the supermarket)

IIRC the prices are not too bad - I think WH Smith is more expensive.

Thanks for all the replies. That doesn't sound too bad at all.

One facebook comment I read made reference to selling peanuts and inferred that they were sold as a replacement for the pretzels, that so many people have lamented the loss of on these boards.

Nick

I hope it is just these snack items ... however, Continental are now offering basic food and enhanced food for a price on some flights. I am somewhat open minded about this but I hope it's not what Nick refers to.

Yeh the prices are not bad at all.

I can tell you they have been offering this service at least since summer 2008 as when I last flew direct into MCO I purchased a bag of Malteseres and it could have been on offer back in 2007.

It certainly does not replace any element of the service and IMHO is a pretty good thing to offer, especially as I find the food in Y to be very poor and lets not forget the average Y passenger is getting less food since the bean counters started on those meals as well.

With regards to CO, I believe CO are now pretty much offering BOB across a range of flights. I seem to recall a bit of an uproar on a.net a while back when one legacy carrier (it was CO IIRC) stated that it would start BOB on TATL service. Of course its not uncommon for Y passengers on the likes of DL to be charged for "premium drinks" (read: beer/vodka etc etc). DL have done this since at least 2002 but IMHO its a pretty bad move and only serves to further blur the line around what exactly is a LCC these days.

willd wrote:Yeh the prices are not bad at all.

I can tell you they have been offering this service at least since summer 2008 as when I last flew direct into MCO I purchased a bag of Malteseres and it could have been on offer back in 2007.

The Maltesers/Minstrels have been on sale for many years as part of the normal duty free range. It is only in the last year itself that the crisps/peanuts/other sweets have been added.

Here's a way I can recoup the cost of my ticket.

Go to the cash and carry, take my hand baggage allowance in snack and sell them during the flight at a slightly lover cost. Maybe get a tray around my neck like cinemas use to have.

Darren Wheeler wrote:Maybe get a tray around my neck like cinemas use to have.

Will yo sell those tubs of Kiora as well?

tontybear wrote:

Darren Wheeler wrote:Maybe get a tray around my neck like cinemas use to have.

Will yo sell those tubs of Kiora as well?

Of course. with Toffee Poppets, melted choc-ices and a fearsome attitude.

Darren Wheeler wrote:

tontybear wrote:

Darren Wheeler wrote:Maybe get a tray around my neck like cinemas use to have.

Will yo sell those tubs of Kiora as well?

Of course. with Toffee Poppets, melted choc-ices and a fearsome attitude.

y) y) y)

Try it on a PCP too !

tontybear wrote:
Try it on a PCP too !

You would have to add bottles of champagne then!

I have always bought a big bag of maltezers from the magazine and eaten them ( and shared with CC ) during the flight. Could it be me that kicked this off lol.

OK here is the full list of snacks that are available to purchase at any time during the flight:

Haribo Starmix - £3
Maltesers - £3
Galaxy Minstrels - £3
Maynards Wine Gums - £3

All the above are on a two for £4 promotion.

Original Pringles - £1.50
Sour Cream and Onion Pringles - £1.50
Planters Dry Roasted Peanuts - £1
Planters Salted Peanuts - £1
Mini Cheddars - £1
Butterkist Popcorn - £1.50
Mars Twin - £1
Twix Extra - £1
Cadburys 8 Chunk Bar - £1
Cadburys Mini Chocolate Fingers - £2

:X

Thanks for the info, Tink