Published 18 June 2026 | Updated 27 October 2026 by Kate Acaster
Virgin Atlantic food is included in every cabin. Economy passengers get a starter and a choice of two hot mains, depending on the route. Premium passengers get a multi-course service with a choice of three mains, then dessert and cheese. Upper Class passengers get restaurant-style a la carte dining with multiple courses, champagne and signature cocktails. Virgin’s Mile High Tea is served on most routes leaving the UK.
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| Feature | Economy | Premium | Upper Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meal service | Starter and a choice of 2 hot mains | Multi-course service Enhanced | A la carte restaurant Premium |
| Pre-order | Flying Club members Members | Yes Available | Yes Available |
| Drinks | Soft drinks, wine, beer, spirits | Wine, beer, spirits | Champagne, premium wines |
| Afternoon tea | Mile High Tea All cabins | Yes All cabins | Yes All cabins |
| Special meals | Yes | Yes | Yes |
This guide covers what each cabin gets, the current Economy menu and drinks, how to pre-order, and what to do if you have dietary requirements or an allergy. Flying Premium, Upper Class, or Economy as a Flying Club member? On eligible flights, go straight to Virgin Atlantic’s pre-order meal service to choose your main course in advance.
Economy class food on Virgin Atlantic
The airline describes the Economy meal as a starter and a choice of two hot mains, and says the options depend on your route. You don’t pay extra for the meal or for the drinks that come with it.
Mile High Tea and snacks
Mile High Tea is served on most routes leaving the UK: finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam, and cake. A hot margarita pizza in its own mini box is served on certain routes.
Planning ahead? Our guide to when Virgin Atlantic releases flights covers the booking timeline.
Virgin Atlantic food in Economy: the current menu
This is the winter menu as the airline lists it. Dishes change by season and route.
| Service | Dishes Virgin lists | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Dinner | Chicken tikka masala with pilau rice, masala spinach and onion bhaji; rigatoni pasta with roast tomato and feta crumb | Varies by route |
| Breakfast | Herb omelette with grilled pork sausage, baked beans and sautéed spinach; waffles with maple butter and granola | Varies by route |
| Mile High Tea | Finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam, cake and a hot drink | Most routes leaving the UK |
| Snack | Hot margarita pizza in a mini box | Certain routes |
Drinks in Economy
Drinks are included. Virgin lists soft drinks, fruit juices, alcohol-free Lucky Saint beer, Fever-Tree mixers, Change Please coffee and Twinings tea, plus red, white and rosé wine and spirits such as Bombay Sapphire gin and Jack Daniel’s bourbon. Brands can change. Some specialty options, such as the mindful sips range, run on certain routes only.
Children’s meals in Economy
Children aged 2 to 12 can have a children’s meal. It contains meat, so order a specific meal if your child has dietary needs. Dietary meals can be ordered up to 24 hours before the flight, or 48 hours for kosher meals.
Premium class food on Virgin Atlantic
Premium passengers receive a multi-course meal with a choice of three mains, then dessert and cheese. Virgin Atlantic serves it on china crockery with metal cutlery and a linen napkin, and describes the service as “enhanced.” Wine, prosecco, beer and spirits are served throughout, and Mile High Tea runs on most routes. The airline says the crew can tell you what snacks are on board between services, so ask.
Pre-ordering in Premium
Premium passengers can pre-order their main course in advance. The window opens seven days before departure and closes 24 hours before the flight. Pre-ordering is worth doing on popular routes where certain options sell out. If you have not flown Premium before, our Virgin Atlantic upgrade guide covers whether it is worth the price difference.
Upper Class food on Virgin Atlantic
Upper Class offers the most ambitious food on board. The service runs restaurant-style: passengers order from an a la carte menu, dishes arrive plated, and there is no fixed meal timing. Multiple courses are served across the flight, with premium champagne, fine wines and signature cocktails throughout. Afternoon tea is part of the standard service.
Signature dishes and wifi
Virgin’s Upper Class menu lists a buttermilk chicken burger in a brioche bun. You can pre-order your main from seven days to 24 hours before the flight, so if the burger is on the current menu, pre-ordering lets you choose it in advance. Upper Class passengers also get complimentary full internet on every flight, see our Virgin Atlantic WiFi guide for what that covers. Flying Club members who are already in Premium or Economy can also earn points that count toward future upgrades.
Special meals and dietary requirements
Virgin Atlantic caters for a wide range of dietary needs, including vegan, vegetarian lacto-ovo, halal, kosher, gluten-free, low-calorie, diabetic, low-salt and Hindu meal options. You request a special meal when you book or, if your plans change, through Manage Booking on the VA website. Requests must be submitted at least 24 hours before departure, or 48 hours for kosher meals.
Bringing your own
Your special meal is confirmed at check-in. If you have made a request, arriving in good time is sensible, see our guide to when Virgin Atlantic check-in opens to plan ahead. If VA cannot cater for a specific allergy or requirement, you are permitted to bring your own food on board. VA cannot refrigerate or heat anything you bring, so pack something that’s fine at room temperature. If you need extra space to carry it, the Accessible Travel Services team can approve an increase to your Virgin Atlantic hand luggage allowance.
How to pre-order your meal on Virgin Atlantic
Pre-order is open to Premium and Upper Class passengers, and to Economy passengers who are Flying Club members. For Economy, Virgin lists all UK outbound flights, plus flights to the UK from the USA (excluding Tampa), the Caribbean and India when the lead booker has linked their Flying Club number to the booking. Premium and Upper Class cover the same UK outbound flights, plus flights to the UK from the USA, the Caribbean and India. Pre-order isn’t available for group bookings and isn’t suitable if you have specific dietary requirements. Order a special meal instead.
| Cabin | Who can pre-order | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Economy | Flying Club members, on UK outbound flights and some inbound routes | 7 days to 24 hours before |
| Premium | All confirmed bookings, on UK outbound flights and some inbound routes | 7 days to 24 hours before |
| Upper Class | All confirmed bookings, on UK outbound flights and some inbound routes | 7 days to 24 hours before |
Virgin emails you a link a week before your flight. You have until 24 hours before departure to choose your main, using that link or the inflight meal portal, and changes may be available up to the same cut-off. The airline says it can’t guarantee your choice. Full current menu options are listed on the Virgin Atlantic food and drink page.
Frequently asked questions
What food does Virgin Atlantic serve in Economy?
Economy passengers get a starter and a choice of two hot mains, included in the fare, with drinks. Mile High Tea is served on most routes leaving the UK. The menu varies by route.
What is on the Virgin Atlantic economy menu?
Virgin’s winter Economy menu lists chicken tikka masala with pilau rice, masala spinach and onion bhaji, and rigatoni pasta with roast tomato and feta crumb for dinner. Breakfast is a herb omelette with grilled pork sausage, baked beans and sautéed spinach, or waffles with maple butter and granola. Menus change by season and route.
Are drinks free in Virgin Atlantic Economy?
Yes. Soft drinks, juices, tea, coffee, beer, wine and spirits are all included in the Economy fare. Virgin lists brands including Lucky Saint, Fever-Tree, Change Please coffee, Twinings tea, Bombay Sapphire and Jack Daniel’s.
Can you pre-order food on Virgin Atlantic?
Yes, in Premium and Upper Class. In Economy, Flying Club members can pre-order on eligible routes. Virgin emails you a link seven days before departure, and the window closes 24 hours before the flight. It isn’t available for group bookings.
What food does Virgin Atlantic serve in Upper Class?
Upper Class offers restaurant-style a la carte dining with multiple courses across the flight. Champagne, premium wines and signature cocktails are included. The menu includes a buttermilk chicken burger, and you can pre-order your main in advance. Afternoon tea and a VA signature ice cream are also part of the service.
“Economy passengers can pre-order a main if they’re in Flying Club and have linked their number to the booking.”
Kate Acaster, Chief Editor, Flight Tribe
What food does Virgin Atlantic serve in Premium?
Premium passengers receive a multi-course meal with a choice of three mains, then dessert and cheese. It is served on china crockery with metal cutlery. Wine, prosecco, beer and spirits are served throughout, and Mile High Tea runs on most routes. Pre-ordering your main is available from seven days before departure.
Does Virgin Atlantic cater for special dietary requirements?
Yes. Virgin Atlantic offers a wide range of special meals including vegan, halal, kosher, gluten-free, low-calorie, diabetic and low-salt options. Request your meal when booking or via Manage Booking on the website. Requests must be made at least 24 hours before departure, or 48 hours for kosher meals.
Can you bring your own food on Virgin Atlantic?
Yes. If Virgin Atlantic cannot cater for your specific dietary need, you can bring your own food on board. VA cannot refrigerate or heat it, so it must be suitable to eat at room temperature. The Accessible Travel Services team can approve an increase to your hand luggage allowance if needed.
Kate Acaster is Chief Editor at Flight Tribe. She writes about practical travel planning, budget airlines, baggage rules, city breaks, beach holidays and good hotels that do not cost daft money.
Kate has travelled through Europe, South America and beyond, usually with a notebook, a half-formed plan and a strong opinion on airport snacks. At Flight Tribe, her work focuses on helping UK travellers understand what is included, what costs extra, and whether a trip is worth booking at the price shown.
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Kate checks the details that can change the value of a trip, including cabin-bag rules, airline fees, hotel location, seasonality, travel dates and booking conditions. She is especially interested in offers that look useful on the surface but need a proper reader-first check before they are worth recommending.
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