Tried & Tested

Virgin Atlantic Little Red A320-200 economy

30 Apr 2013 by GrahamSmith

BACKGROUND Virgin Atlantic launched its domestic network at the end of March, using slots freed up at Heathrow by the purchase of Bmi by BA’s parent company, IAG. It serves Manchester four times a day, Edinburgh six times-daily and Aberdeen thrice-daily under the branding “Little Red”. The services are operated using all-economy A320s wet-leased from Aer Lingus – crew are employed by the Irish carrier but are in Virgin uniform and trained in the UK airline’s style of service, while the plane features Virgin Atlantic livery.

CHECK-IN I arrived at Edinburgh airport at 1615 for my 1725 departure on VS3008. There were three Little Red desks (24-26) – two bag-drops and one priority check-in for Flying Club gold passengers and those transferring on to Virgin’s long-haul network at Heathrow flying Upper Class or premium economy. I checked in at one of two Little Red self-service kiosks (you can also use other machines to the right) and dropped my bag – one piece of hand baggage weighing up to 10kg is permitted, while one case up to 23kg can be checked in for free (gold cardholders and transferring passengers get the same allowance as with Virgin Atlantic). I proceeded upstairs to security – the airline had granted me access to the fast-track lane, which I was grateful for as the standard channel looked busy. I was through in five minutes.

THE LOUNGE Flying Club gold and transferring Upper Class passengers can use the Servisair lounge between gates three and four, a few minutes’ walk to the left of security. It had free wifi, soft and alcoholic drinks, snacks such as crisps, fruit and biscuits, two PCs, a few booth-style desks for working, newspapers, TVs and departure screens. Flights are not called.

BOARDING At 1705 I walked to Gate 6. General boarding had just been announced – prior to this, there had been priority boarding for gold members and transferring Upper Class/premium economy passengers. I was in my seat, 19D, at 1715, having been welcomed by friendly staff. Immediately, I got the sense that this was firmly a Virgin experience, with the purple lighting and pop music you get on its international flights.

THE SEAT There are 29 rows configured 3-3. Seats are upholstered in Virgin’s aubergine leather. They are comfy and have decent legroom for a short-haul product, with a 29- to 30-inch (73.6cm to 76cm) pitch, and recline of four to 4.5 inches (10cm to 11.4 cm). There is a stable fold-down table and an adjustable head rest.

WHICH SEAT TO CHOOSE? Sit towards the front to disembark first. Row one has more legroom, as do exit rows 12 and 13, though you will have to wait longer for the drink service – which starts simultaneously from the front and back – if you sit towards the middle. Avoid the back row, as you cannot recline and are closest to the rear washrooms and galley.

THE FLIGHT We pushed back on time and took off ten minutes later, at 1735, with service starting at 1745 – the trolley reached me ten minutes later (the back half of the plane was about half-full, while the front was busy). Complimentary soft and alcoholic drinks were offered – beers included Heineken and Tiger, and the wines (served from full-size bottles) were Saint-Germain Comté Tolosan and Mantilla Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot. Dewar’s whisky is available on all Little Red flights, and Irn Bru on Scottish ones. Snacks included cookies from Scottish brand Bronte and Tyrrells crisps, and small packets of Love Hearts were also given out. Bacon rolls are served on departures before 0900. Service was efficient, and the flight smooth.

ARRIVAL We landed ahead of schedule at 1840 and disembarked ten minutes later. On the airbridge, a staff member was waiting to direct transferring passengers to a bus to take them to Terminal 3 airside. There was a bit of a wait for bags – mine appeared at 1910.

VERDICT An excellent short-haul service – punctual and well-run with a comfy seat, pleasant crew and a free drink and snack service. While Virgin doesn’t offer as many daily flights as BA on these routes, and it’s not ideal having to change terminals for connections, Little Red will be offering solid competition to its rival.

Michelle Mannion
 

Fact file

  • DEPARTURE TIME 1725
  • FLIGHT TIME 1hr 30mins
  • PLANE TYPE A320-200
  • CONFIGURATION 3-3
  • SEAT WIDTH 17.8-18.3in/45.2-46.4cm
  • SEAT PITCH 29-30in/73.6-76cm
  • SEAT RECLINE 4-4.5in/10-11.4cm
  • PRICE Internet rates for a return flight from London to Edinburgh in June ranged between £108 and £530 depending on flexibility.
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