Little Red takes off

Virgin Atlantic took off yesterday (31 March) with its most low key introduction since the A330.  The curiously named Little Red began a four times daily services from Manchester to Heathrow with 40 seats spare on a 174-capacity Aer Lingus A320 very much, cabin wise, styled Virgin Atlantic.  The only give away was the Irish flight deck crew.

Aberdeen flights (three times daily) begin 9 April and Edinburgh (six times daily) 5 April. 

It is a one class operation with hot bacon rolls provided on the early morning flights, and a full courtesy bar operation provided by four cabin staff. Flight time was just 35 minutes. Only passengers connecting to Virgin flights can use the airside coach transfer to T3 which is provided from the airbridge. 

At the Manchester end eligible passengers are able to use the old bmi facility (now the Escape Lounge) which is situated near the gate in T3.  At Heathrow lounge arrangements have been made for T1 but the splendid Virgin Upper Class operation in T3 is impractical. 

Little Red plans to move to the Heathrow Terminal 2 during 2014.

The question of the airline's name and the use of the Virgin brand to promote the service remains unanswered. www.virgin-atlantic.com

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