Virgin America – CLOSED
Airlines
600 World Way
Los Angeles, CA 90045
A company that is as old as the invention of the iPod is pushing it when it blames its newness as a defense. Virgin America’s human resources still calls itself a new company and as a new company, it is still in development. How can a seven-year-old company that hasn’t changed at all over the past seven years claim this?! ‘Sorry, but we’re new’ will not fly, Virgin America.
I remember when I began to fly on Virgin America almost seven years ago and it was the same experience I have now, except there were more freebies back then. I have flown countless times since and I am not asking Virgin America to change the infrastructure of the entire company when I contacted human resources. I was asking to add another vegan flight option besides a kids option: the ‘Peanut Butter and Jam Half Sandwich’. Especially when said half sandwich runs out, and I am on a seven-hour flight from New York to Los Angeles and am HUNGRY!
You know those annoying people who will -only- eat kosher, halal or um vegan food? This is me. I not only expected that they would have enough of peanut butter and jelly sandwich halves, but something else. Come on? I mean, there are as many vegan people as gay people nowadays, especially in the places Virgin America flies out of like Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York.
After surviving on cold gazpacho (three or so tomato juices), I emailed guest relations twice. After the first person Lilliana’s response was a lame forward to in-flight catering, I then got the manager Michael to respond to me. Both of their responses was to forward the comments to in-flight catering. Michael the manager’s response went on to say that vegan is a special meal request, but in-flight catering is constantly improving a menu that has not changed at all in seven years:
“The demand for such meals is limited and our service design is simple. We do, however, pay particular attention during menu design to meeting as many dietary preferences as possible. With that said; we are a new company and will be assessing all of our guests’ comments. As Lilliana has mentioned, your email has been forwarded on to our Inflight Catering Management team for review. Based on feedback, we will consider changes to our service offerings.”
If it really takes another seven years to consider another vegan option besides the ‘Peanut Butter and Jam Half Sandwich’, Virgin America is doomed. I thought this was the cool airline. Claiming to be ignorant based on being young means trying to be proactive about it and not regressive like the old-timer airlines. I even gave Virgin America almost six months to think about what they should do and do it, and looking at the menu now, of course nothing has changed.
Peanut Butter and Jam Half Sandwich, you are the only beacon of a hungry vegan’s hope. Pathetic.
Useful: 3 Funny: 8 Cool: 1
12/1/2012