Virgin Little Red - Now Painted

ThomasCook · Wed Mar 27, 2013 5:39 pm

Hello,

With 5 days to go until Little Red's inaugural flight from MAN-LHR, has the first aircraft been painted yet? Any sightings or is it being kept heavily under wraps?

Thanks
ThomasCook

tonystan · Wed Mar 27, 2013 5:56 pm

I believe at least one of the aircraft, EI-DEO is presently in SNN undergoing its reprint from EI livery.

Eagleboy · Wed Mar 27, 2013 6:14 pm

EI are also currently refitting another A320 in DUB.....purple mood lighting.

anstar · Wed Mar 27, 2013 6:47 pm

Interiors will be similar to the A330 in the VS fleet (ie colour tones)

Garyck · Thu Mar 28, 2013 6:40 am

I have ben informed that EI-DEO was rolled out from SNN all white yesterday, but Two ex Merediana Fly Airbus A320's I-EEZF and I-EEZG are expected to be delivered to Aer Lingus to be used on behalf of Virgin Atlantic both positioned to Seletar for paint.

First service starts sunday.

B747forever · Thu Mar 28, 2013 7:01 am

Will the aircraft wear the same paint scheme as VS?

817Dreamliiner · Thu Mar 28, 2013 7:18 am

Looking forward to seeing the VS A320 when I go spotting at MAN

Hope to see pictures of it soon.

TC957 · Thu Mar 28, 2013 7:48 am

Cutting it a bit fine, aren't they ? Two days to go now and no sight of a fully painted aircraft in position to start service ??

qf002 · Thu Mar 28, 2013 8:22 am

Quoting B747forever (Reply 5):

Will the aircraft wear the same paint scheme as VS?

Yes.

B747forever · Thu Mar 28, 2013 8:42 am

Quoting qf002 (Reply 8):
Quoting B747forever (Reply 5):

Will the aircraft wear the same paint scheme as VS?

Yes.

So it won't be branded as "Little Red"?

Danfearn77 · Thu Mar 28, 2013 8:44 am

Wonder why they didn't use Air Livery which is based at MAN? Could have had it all done and dusted and kept under wraps. And then got all the press out as it was rolled from the hanger to the terminal the afternoon/evening before?

anstar · Thu Mar 28, 2013 9:02 am

Quoting B747forever (Reply 9):
So it won't be branded as "Little Red"?

I believe little red is the name of the service... much like BA name their domestic services "shuttle"

B747forever · Thu Mar 28, 2013 9:09 am

Quoting anstar,reply=11
Quoting B747forever (Reply 9):
So it won't be branded as Little Red?

I believe little red is the name of the service... much like BA name their domestic services shuttle

:

Seems so. I thought that they would use Virgin's paint scheme but with little red written on the fuselage, or better yet, "Little Red Virgin"

817Dreamliiner · Thu Mar 28, 2013 9:27 am

Finally A photo!!!!! Though on a another website...

http://www.jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=7578692

Its a bit far from home though...... Looks good though

shamrock350 · Thu Mar 28, 2013 9:43 am

Looks very nice! Now we've just got to to see what they've done with the cabins, if it's anything special I'm sure they'll show it off to the press on the inaugural flight.

slinky09 · Thu Mar 28, 2013 10:31 am

Quoting shamrock350 (Reply 14):
Looks very nice! Now we've just got to to see what they've done with the cabins, if it's anything special I'm sure they'll show it off to the press on the inaugural flight.

Will let you know, am on the very first scheduled flight on Sunday morning MAN-LHR!

ACEregular · Thu Mar 28, 2013 10:42 am

I have seen pictures of the empty interior of the A320 currently at DUB. No seats, but the very nice mood lighting, it is still in EI colours and looks quite funnt externally in the hanger with the pinky/purple hue glowing through the cabin windows.

fauzi · Thu Mar 28, 2013 11:04 am

Quoting 817Dreamliiner (Reply 13):
Finally A photo!!!!! Though on a another website...

http://www.jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=7578692

Its a bit far from home though...... Looks good though

Probably one of the best looking A320 out there! Now I'm really annoyed with BI 's new livery... *not jealous*

aviasian · Thu Mar 28, 2013 11:23 am

Here's another shot of EI-EZV in full Virgin Atlantic livery taking off on its test flight earlier today. This aircraft (former I-EEZG) has been named "Tartan Lassie".

http://www.skyliner-aviation.de/viewphoto.main?LC=nav2&picid=8283

Sistership EI-EZW (previously I-EEZF) is currently being painted in XSP.

KC Sim
Singapore

zkojq · Thu Mar 28, 2013 11:30 am

Quoting 817Dreamliiner (Reply 13):
Finally A photo!!!!!

Quoting aviasian (Reply 18):
Here's another shot of EI-EZV in full Virgin Atlantic livery

I love it! The Virgin Atlantic livery looks perfect on that aircraft....if only it had the better looking IAE engines.

pilotanthony · Thu Mar 28, 2013 11:50 am

WHY IS IT NOT IN THE METALLIC LIVERY???!?! why is virgin so confused, they have like 5 different liveries at the same time....

[Edited 2013-03-28 04:51:07]

ThomasCook · Thu Mar 28, 2013 12:03 pm

Great to see the pictures! Thanks for posting them. I am looking forward to boarding her on Sunday morning! A little bit of a shame that they didn't add 'Little Red' titles too!

Thanks
ThomasCook

theaviator380 · Thu Mar 28, 2013 12:36 pm

Fantastic livery...I think they could have decreased that font, not much but little bit. This font is perfect for their a330/340 and 744 so obviously for a320 it could have been little smaller. Nevermind tho, it looks very bright and cheerful compared to lot of other liveries out there.

[Edited 2013-03-28 05:41:44]

Luftymatt · Thu Mar 28, 2013 12:52 pm

Quoting tonystan (Reply 1):
I believe at least one of the aircraft, EI-DEO is presently in SNN undergoing its reprint from EI livery.

I hope it's dry in time

eljas · Thu Mar 28, 2013 2:02 pm

why are EI / IG aircraft being sent all the way to XSP to be repainted? Surely it would be much cheaper to do it in Eire/UK.

je89_w · Thu Mar 28, 2013 2:12 pm

Quoting Garyck (Reply 4):
Two ex Merediana Fly Airbus A320's I-EEZF and I-EEZG are expected to be delivered to Aer Lingus to be used on behalf of Virgin Atlantic both positioned to Seletar for paint.

Quoting Eljas (Reply 24):
why are EI / IG aircraft being sent all the way to XSP to be repainted?

GECAS sent I-EEZF and I-EEZG to one of the MROs based in Seletar for not just a full repaint but a full end-of-lease check.

Quoting Garyck (Reply 4):
First service starts sunday.

Quoting TC957 (Reply 7):
Cutting it a bit fine, aren't they ? Two days to go now and no sight of a fully painted aircraft in position to start service ??

It certainly won't be operated by EI-EZV or EI-EZW.

Quoting shamrock350 (Reply 14):
Looks very nice! Now we've just got to to see what they've done with the cabins, if it's anything special I'm sure they'll show it off to the press on the inaugural flight.

Quoting ACEregular (Reply 16):
No seats, but the very nice mood lighting,

Don't believe there is moodlighting for EI-EZV and EI-EZW.

Eagleboy · Thu Mar 28, 2013 2:13 pm

Those aircraft are being taken on from a leasing company. These aircraft are not being sent to XSP, they are already there.
The 2 actual EI aircraft are being refitted in DUB and repainted in SNN. The Little Red fleet will be 2 ex-EI A320 and 2x leased ex-IG A320. EI are taking delivery of 2 A319 in May to maintain their overall fleet numbers.

(Not sure how ex-Meridiana A320 ended up in Singapore however)

je89_w · Thu Mar 28, 2013 2:17 pm

To clear any confusion, EI-EZV and EI-EZW are owned by GECAS. They are leased to EI, who are wet leasing it to Virgin Atlantic for their Little Red services.

817Dreamliiner · Thu Mar 28, 2013 2:50 pm

Photo now in the database:

View Large View Medium
Click here for bigger photo!

Photo © dexjets

anstar · Thu Mar 28, 2013 5:11 pm

Quoting je89_w (Reply 25):
Don't believe there is moodlighting for EI-EZV and EI-EZW.

My understanding is they will all have mood lighting before entering service.

musang · Thu Mar 28, 2013 5:12 pm

Quoting pilotanthony (Reply 20):
WHY IS IT NOT IN THE METALLIC LIVERY?

Splitting hairs, admittedly, but isn't it mica paint, as opposed to metallic?

Regards - musang

skipness1E · Thu Mar 28, 2013 6:11 pm

It's hardly a fantastic livery when they use bog standard paint rather than Virgin's standard metallic gloss. Another clue? Can't believe they called it "Tartan Lassie"! Straight off a shortbread tin for God's sake. What's the other names?

[Edited 2013-03-28 11:15:13]

Luftymatt · Thu Mar 28, 2013 6:29 pm

Quoting skipness1E (Reply 31):
It's hardly a fantastic livery when they use bog standard paint rather than Virgin's standard metallic gloss

Sometimes it can be hard to tell in a photo. I'm not saying your wrong but photographs don't usually show a metallic gloss that well, especially if the sun isn't out.

Quoting anstar (Reply 29):
My understanding is they will all have mood lighting before entering service.

I don't really see the point in this for a domestic 'shuttle' type service.

Eagleboy · Thu Mar 28, 2013 6:39 pm

Quoting skipness1E (Reply 31):
Can't believe they called it "Tartan Lassie"! Straight off a shortbread tin for God's sake. What's the other names?

'Maggie May' is another name.

SpaceshipDC10 · Thu Mar 28, 2013 6:40 pm

It's not the most fantastic livery, but I like the font.

anstar · Thu Mar 28, 2013 6:47 pm

Quoting LuftyMatt (Reply 32):

I don't really see the point in this for a domestic 'shuttle' type service.

Presumably it creates a consistent product. Ie the seats and mood lighting will be similar to that on the retrofit 744 and A330 fleet and soon to be 787 fleet. Ie anything joining the fleet or being refitted from 2010 onwards has a similar Y product.

shamrock350 · Thu Mar 28, 2013 7:15 pm

Quoting LuftyMatt (Reply 32):

Quoting anstar (Reply 29):
My understanding is they will all have mood lighting before entering service.

I don't really see the point in this for a domestic 'shuttle' type service.

The mood lighting isn't necessary but it looks good and looks are important to Virgin Atlantic! It's all about being cool and young up against the old and outdated competition, showing off a glowing cabin with crew in those red uniforms will make the BA cabins with their white walls and blue seats look very boring, at least momentarily.

Quoting slinky09 (Reply 15):
Will let you know, am on the very first scheduled flight on Sunday morning MAN-LHR!

Enjoy your flight! Was planning on trying one of the first flights myself but didn't have the time, maybe during the summer I'll get the chance.

pilotanthony · Thu Mar 28, 2013 7:25 pm

Quoting musang (Reply 30):
Splitting hairs, admittedly, "but isn't it mica paint, as opposed to metallic?"

Is it me splitting hairs or you? "but isn't it mica paint, as opposed to metallic?"

skipness1E · Thu Mar 28, 2013 8:33 pm

Quoting shamrock350 (Reply 36):
It's all about being cool and young up against the old and outdated competition

Except Mixed Fleet is growing very fast and the dinosaurs are on their way out. Not sure Aer Lingus are famous for having a young CC mix..... Actually last time I flew LHR-MAN it was BA's Mixed Fleet but I think it has gone back to legacy crew. Looking forward to seeing these in service at LHR though, it's been a while since we've had some VS narrow bodies.

[Edited 2013-03-28 13:34:49]

ba319-131 · Thu Mar 28, 2013 8:39 pm

Quoting LuftyMatt (Reply 32):
Quoting anstar (Reply 29):
My understanding is they will all have mood lighting before entering service.

I don't really see the point in this for a domestic 'shuttle' type service.

- Will be nice of early morning and evening flights mind.

Still amazed they don't have plans to serve GLA, every BA flight I take to / from GLA is packed, even the 767's which are at least twice daily some days.

anstar · Thu Mar 28, 2013 11:18 pm

Quoting ba319-131 (Reply 39):

Still amazed they don't have plans to serve GLA,

I'm not surprised.... why use LHR slots for GLA if they are not handed to you on a platter a la the EDI/ABZ slots.

Eagleboy · Fri Mar 29, 2013 12:02 am

Confirmed......EI-DEO 'Maggie May; is in Dublin,arrived this evening. EI-DEO is in SNN for painting.

So that's 1 aircraft ready and almost in place for the first flight on Sunday.

a36001 · Fri Mar 29, 2013 12:03 am

Quoting shamrock350 (Reply 36):

Agree, Virgin Australia pushes the same line against Qantas as Virgin Atlantic does to British Airways. Though if VA continue to call their passengers "mate" and "darl" (though this may of changed under John Borgetti) and Qantas call their passengers Mr and Mrs .... when boarding, I prefer the professionalism of Qantas.

That A320 in the VS livery is IMO, one of the best looking A320 fleet there will be. Well done to VS!!

visualapproach · Fri Mar 29, 2013 12:05 am

Is anyone else on the inaugural LHR-MAN?

IndianicWorld · Fri Mar 29, 2013 3:08 am

Quoting A36001 (Reply 42):
Agree, Virgin Australia pushes the same line against Qantas as Virgin Atlantic does to British Airways. Though if VA continue to call their passengers "mate" and "darl" (though this may of changed under John Borgetti) and Qantas call their passengers Mr and Mrs .... when boarding, I prefer the professionalism of Qantas.

Thats changed on my last few flights with VA.

Apparently JB has sent staff to learn the new ways of expected customer service requirements, which appears to be carbon copy of what he implemented at QF.

theaviator380 · Fri Mar 29, 2013 4:03 am

Quoting anstar (Reply 40):

To be honest I think GLA-LHR traffic is more compared to EDI-LHR. I would begin GLA-LHR before EDI-LHR. Commercial point of view GLA offer more than EDI.

In future IF Virgin trains offers cheap tickets, will be interesting to see how MAN-LHR does as ideally this MAN-LHR flight is ideal only for those who stays near MAN. As train takes only 2 - 2.5 hours from MAN or L'pool or Wigan to London on the other hand overall flight journey from MAN-LHR including security checkin, traveling to airport and then traveling to central London takes about 3 hours? Unless people going to use this flight as a connection gateway to big cities served by VS across the Atlantic pond or Asia/Africa.

eirbus06 · Fri Mar 29, 2013 8:06 am

EI-DEO was rolled out of eirtech in SNN yesterday. *I DO NOT OWN THIS PICTURE*

"Queen of the Cobbles"

skipness1E · Fri Mar 29, 2013 8:36 am

EDI-LHR is a way bigger market than GLA. However ABZ is going to struggle on the A320, even an A319 would have been a risk. BE cut and ran from LGW the moment CFE announced LCY-ABZ and bmi were flying ERJ-145s. EDI and MAN have a chance but ABZ will bleed money IMHO. Indeed the only reason MAN might work is BA dropping MAN-LGW.

ba319-131 · Fri Mar 29, 2013 8:39 am

Quoting anstar (Reply 40):
Quoting ba319-131 (Reply 39):

Still amazed they don't have plans to serve GLA,

I'm not surprised.... why use LHR slots for GLA if they are not handed to you on a platter a la the EDI/ABZ slots.

- GLA is not slot restricted, this would have been a better market than ABZ IMO, skipness1E is quite right with his comments above.

Damian · Fri Mar 29, 2013 8:53 am

Quoting ba319-131 (Reply 48):
GLA is not slot restricted, this would have been a better market than ABZ IMO, skipness1E is quite right with his comments above.

Evidently, when they were around, bmi didn't think so, or they would have cancelled their LHR-ABZ service rather than the LHR-GLA service. Remember EK has been tightening its grip on GLA in recent years, soaking up a lot of transfer traffic, and therefore for VS there is likely to be more potential to attract passengers connecting via LHR to other destinations at ABZ than at GLA. In my opinion, anyway.

[Edited 2013-03-29 02:06:05]

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