Virgin Australia Serves Hot Chips at 35,000 Feet in a First for Australian Aviation

Virgin Australia has unveiled a new inflight economy menu that introduces hot chips with aioli dipping sauce as a buy-on-board option, in what is believed to be a first for any Australian airline. The chips — made with skin-on potatoes, heated in onboard ovens and served with salt, pepper and aioli — are available on eligible flights of over 1.5 hours, subject to availability. Getting them sky-ready took months of testing to ensure they arrive hot and crispy at altitude. They are positioned as the natural pairing for the returning TikTok-inspired Cheeseburger Toastie, which has sold more than 50,000 units since its launch in May 2026 — together offering passengers a mid-air cheeseburger-and-fries experience. The refreshed economy menu also leans into current food and drink trends, adding cult-favourite matcha lattes, Virgin Australia's take on the viral Chicken Caesar wrap, BOSS Iced Latte Coffee, chai lattes and a Jose Cuervo Sparkling Margarita. Business Class guests will benefit from a separate menu refresh from 11 November 2026, featuring new breakfast, lunch and dinner dishes — including an egg and cheese breakfast quesadilla, seared beef with roasted vegetables and rosemary jus, and stir-fried beef in black bean sauce — all included in the Business Class fare. The new economy menu is available from 27 October 2026. Velocity Frequent Flyer members can use Pay with Points on eligible onboard food and beverage purchases, the only Australian airline loyalty programme to offer inflight points redemptions.