If you are flying Virgin Atlantic in Premium Economy, one of the highlights is the upgraded food and drink service. Unlike a standard economy meal, Virgin Atlantic Premium offers a more considered dining experience with plated food, multiple courses, complimentary drinks, and additional treats during the flight.
The exact menu changes depending on the route, flight, season, and departure time. However, Virgin Atlantic’s current Premium dining information confirms that passengers can expect a main meal with a choice of three entrée dishes, dessert and cheese, drinks throughout the service, and the airline’s signature Mile High Tea on most routes.
This guide explains what you can expect from the Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy food menu, including meals, drinks, snacks, afternoon tea, dietary options, and meal pre-selection.
What Food Is Included in Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy?
Virgin Atlantic Premium includes a full meal service rather than simply a snack or basic tray meal.
According to Virgin Atlantic, the Premium service includes:
- A choice of three main entrée dishes
- Starter or accompanying courses depending on the service
- Dessert
- Cheese
- Complimentary drinks
- Tea and coffee
- Snacks between meal services
- Mile High Tea on most routes
- Special dietary meals when requested in advance
The airline says its Premium menus are influenced by seasonal ingredients and global flavors, with dishes designed specifically for the inflight environment.
Because menus change, passengers should not assume that a particular dish will be available on every Virgin Atlantic flight.
Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy Welcome Drink
One of the first food-and-drink touches in Premium is the welcome beverage.
Virgin Atlantic describes a welcome glass of prosecco as part of its Premium dining experience. Other drinks may also be available depending on the flight and service.
Recent passenger reviews have also documented welcome drinks such as sparkling wine, orange juice, or water on individual flights. These reports demonstrate that the exact selection can vary.
Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy Main Meal
The main meal is the central part of the Premium Economy dining service.
Virgin Atlantic currently advertises a choice of three entrée dishes in Premium. The specific choices are not permanent because menus change by route and season.
Recent examples shown on Virgin Atlantic’s Premium dining page include:
Chicken Pie
A mini herb chicken pie served with herb potato mash, broccoli, baton carrots, and rosemary jus.
Truffle Mac and Cheese
A vegetarian option featuring truffle mac and cheese with wild mushrooms, garlic crumb, Italian hard cheese, and crispy capers.
Bagara Baingan
An Indian-inspired vegetarian dish featuring bagara baingan with vegetable biryani, black bean and cabbage thoran, dal tadka, roasted coconut flakes, and paratha.
These are examples of dishes Virgin Atlantic currently showcases rather than a permanent menu for every route.
Does Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy Have Vegetarian Food?
Yes.
Virgin Atlantic offers vegetarian options in Premium, and its current Premium dining page specifically features a vegetarian truffle mac and cheese dish.
Passengers with more specific dietary requirements should request an appropriate special meal before departure.
Available options can vary according to the flight and route.
Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy Dessert and Cheese
The Premium meal service includes dessert and cheese.
This is one of the differences between Virgin Atlantic’s Premium dining experience and a basic meal service. The airline describes its Premium service as including a main meal followed by something sweet, with cheese also included.
The exact dessert and cheese selection changes with the menu.
You may therefore see different options depending on when and where you are flying.
Virgin Atlantic Mile High Tea
One of the most recognizable parts of the Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy food experience is the Mile High Tea.
Virgin Atlantic describes this as an exclusive inflight afternoon-tea experience featuring:
- Finger sandwiches
- Sweet treats
- A hot drink
- Tea-party-style presentation
The Mile High Tea is available on most flights from the UK to the USA and Caribbean, according to Virgin Atlantic.
This service can be particularly useful to passengers looking for something lighter later in the flight.
Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy Drinks Menu
Drinks are included with Virgin Atlantic Premium service.
The airline currently lists:
- Wine
- Prosecco
- Beer
- Spirits
- Mixers
- Soft drinks
- Juices
- Tea
- Coffee
Virgin Atlantic also highlights signature drinks such as its Redhead cocktail and Bloody Mary mix. Availability of particular drinks can vary by route and service.
Alcoholic Drinks
Premium passengers can choose from a selection of alcoholic beverages, including wine, beer, spirits, and mixers.
The exact brands and selection can change, so an online menu or passenger review from another flight should not be treated as a guaranteed current drinks list.
Non-Alcoholic Drinks
Passengers can also request:
- Water
- Soft drinks
- Fruit juices
- Tea
- Coffee
Virgin Atlantic says complimentary non-alcoholic drinks are available throughout its cabin services.
Are Snacks Included in Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy?
Yes, Virgin Atlantic provides additional food and snack options between the main meal services.
The airline says passengers can ask the crew what is available onboard if they want something between scheduled services.
On some flights, passengers may also encounter snacks such as crisps or other small treats.
The exact snack selection depends on the route and flight.
Can You Pre-Select Your Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy Meal?
Yes, but pre-selection is only available on eligible flights and routes.
Virgin Atlantic says Premium passengers can pre-select their main meal from 7 days before departure until 24 hours before the flight when the service is available.
How to Pre-Select Your Meal
- Open your Virgin Atlantic booking.
- Check whether your flight is eligible for meal pre-selection.
- View the available main-course choices.
- Select your preferred meal.
- Confirm the selection before the deadline.
Virgin Atlantic states that options vary depending on the flight.
Pre-selecting your meal can be useful if you have a particular preference, but it does not mean that the same menu will be offered on every Premium flight.
Virgin Atlantic Special Dietary Meals
Virgin Atlantic caters to a range of dietary and cultural requirements.
The airline specifically says it can provide meals for requirements such as:
- Vegetarian
- Vegan
- Gluten-free
- Halal
- Kosher
- Children’s meals
- Other specific dietary requirements
These meals generally need to be requested before the flight. Virgin Atlantic states that most special meals can be requested up to 24 hours before departure, while kosher meals require 48 hours’ notice.
Halal Meals
Passengers requiring a halal meal should request it in advance rather than assuming that the standard Premium menu will automatically meet their requirements.
Kosher Meals
Kosher meals require additional advance notice. Virgin Atlantic currently specifies 48 hours.
Vegetarian and Vegan Meals
Vegetarian choices can appear within the standard Premium menu, while passengers with specific dietary requirements should check the available special-meal options before traveling.
Does the Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy Menu Change?
Yes.
This is important when searching for a Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy food menu online.
Airline menus are not necessarily permanent. Virgin Atlantic says its Premium menus are inspired by seasonal ingredients and global flavors and that its chefs update menus over time.
Your meal can therefore differ based on:
- Flight route
- Departure airport
- Destination
- Season
- Departure time
- Catering availability
- Dietary requirements
A menu photograph from a previous year may not accurately represent your upcoming flight.
What Does Virgin Atlantic Premium Food Look Like?
Virgin Atlantic emphasizes upgraded presentation in Premium.
The airline says Premium meals are served using china crockery, metal cutlery, and a linen napkin.
This creates a more traditional dining presentation than the standard economy tray experience.
Recent passenger reviews have also documented Premium meals being served on real china with metal cutlery and glassware.
Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy Food vs Economy Food
There are several differences between the two cabins.
| Feature | Economy | Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Main meal | Included | Included |
| Main-course choice | Usually two options | Three entrée choices |
| Dessert | Included | Included |
| Cheese | Included depending on service | Included |
| Drinks | Included | Included |
| Welcome drink | Standard service | Welcome prosecco |
| Crockery | Standard service | China crockery |
| Cutlery | Standard | Metal cutlery |
| Mile High Tea | Selected services | Most eligible UK–USA/Caribbean routes |
| Meal pre-selection | Selected routes | Available on eligible Premium flights |
Virgin Atlantic’s official descriptions confirm the distinction between the two cabin services, although individual menus and services can change.
Is Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy Food Good?
The experience can vary from flight to flight because menus, routes, catering, and passenger preferences differ.
Recent independent reviews have reported positive experiences with individual dishes, while older reviews have been more mixed. For example, one recent Premium Economy review described chicken, fish, and pasta choices and praised the chicken, while other reviews have criticized particular dishes or drinks.
This means it is better to judge the menu based on the specific flight and current menu rather than assuming that every Virgin Atlantic Premium meal will be identical.
What Should You Know Before Your Flight?
If food is an important part of your Premium Economy experience, check these things before departure:
1. Check Your Flight’s Menu
Look at your booking and Virgin Atlantic’s current dining information because menus change.
2. Check Meal Pre-Selection
If your flight qualifies, meal pre-selection becomes available 7 days before departure and closes 24 hours before the flight.
3. Request Special Meals Early
Don’t wait until you board if you need halal, kosher, gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, or another specific meal.
4. Check the Route
Mile High Tea and particular menu items are not necessarily available on every route.
5. Don’t Rely on Old Menu Photos
A menu uploaded by a passenger several years ago may represent a completely different seasonal menu.
Frequently Asked Questions
What food do you get in Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy?
Premium Economy includes a full meal service with a choice of three entrée dishes, dessert, cheese, drinks, and additional food during the flight. The exact dishes depend on the route and menu.
Is food free on Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy?
Yes. Food and the standard selection of drinks are included in the Premium Economy service.
Does Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy include alcohol?
Yes. Virgin Atlantic lists wine, prosecco, beer, spirits, and mixers among the drinks available in Premium.
Does Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy include afternoon tea?
Virgin Atlantic offers its Mile High Tea on most flights from the UK to the USA and Caribbean. It includes finger sandwiches, sweet treats, and a hot drink.
Can I choose my Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy meal?
Yes, on eligible flights. Virgin Atlantic currently allows eligible Premium passengers to pre-select a main meal between 7 days and 24 hours before departure.
Does Virgin Atlantic offer halal meals?
Yes. Virgin Atlantic says it caters to halal dietary requirements, but passengers should request the special meal in advance.
Does Virgin Atlantic offer kosher meals?
Yes. Kosher meals can be requested, but Virgin Atlantic currently requires 48 hours’ notice.
Are vegetarian meals available?
Yes. Vegetarian dishes are available, and passengers with specific dietary requirements can request an appropriate meal before flying.
Does the Premium Economy menu stay the same all year?
No. Virgin Atlantic updates its menus and the available dishes can vary by season, route, and flight.
Final Thoughts
The Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy food menu is designed to provide a more complete dining experience than standard economy. Passengers can expect a choice of main dishes, dessert, cheese, complimentary drinks, and additional treats, with the signature Mile High Tea available on many qualifying routes.
The most important point is that there is no single permanent Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy menu for every flight. Your exact meal selection depends on your route, date, catering service, and eligibility for pre-selection.
For the most accurate information, check your booking and Virgin Atlantic’s current Premium dining information before traveling