Virgin Australia aims to bite into Qantas' market share by offering meals on East coast flights

AFTER a decade in which Australia's domestic airlines have looked to cut services in return for low fares, the in-flight meal is staging a comeback.

Virgin is adding to its in-flight food offerings which already include business class meals by Luke Mangan. Picture: Cameron ...

AFTER a decade in which Australia's domestic airlines have looked to cut services in return for low fares, it seems the in-flight meal is staging a comeback.

Virgin Australia will introduce complimentary snacks and refreshments on all flights between Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne from Wednesday.

It is part of Virgin's attempt to take market share from rival Qantas - which serves a meal on all its flights - by positioning itself closer to a full-service carrier than the cheap and cheerful budget airline which it began as in 2000.

It follows the airline's roll out of exclusive lounges and business class seats and the formation of equity partnerships with Air New Zealand, Singapore Airlines and Etihad Airways that have underwritten its aggressive pursuit of market share.

"At Virgin Australia, we recognise that in-flight dining is key to overall guest satisfaction and this is a focus for us as we look to continually enhance our products and services," a spokeswoman said.

"Following successful trials over the past month, Virgin Australia will introduce complimentary snacks and refreshments."

The airline already provides complimentary hot meals and drinks to all passengers on flights to Bali, Phuket, Fiji, and between Australia's east coast and Perth, while its business class menu has been created by celebrity head chef Luke Mangan.

However, the decision to offer food and drinks on its major east coast routes represents a major expansion of its in-flight services.

A Virgin Australia spokeswoman said snacks served on the routes will range from banana bread to muffins, biscuits, cheese and crackers.

It will also offer complimentary soft drinks along with a selection of beer and wine on all flights between mainland capital cities and other selected routes between 4pm and 7pm on weekdays.

Australia's other major domestic carriers, Jetstar and Tigerair, do not offer complimentary in-flight food.

A Qantas spokeswoman said Qantas remained the only domestic airline that offered both a meal and checked-in baggage to every passenger as part of their fare, regardless of what time they are flying or which class they are in.

"World class catering is essential to our full service offering," she said.

"Qantas is committed to challenging the notion of traditional airline food and delivering innovative menus that are authentic to local and international cuisine using the very best Australian produce."