Little Red airline set for takeoff

Sir Richard Branson's new airline Little Red will soon fly domestic UK routes to help connect passengers to Virgin Atlantic's international flights. Little Red's initial plans call for flights between London and Manchester, Edinburgh and Aberdeen, as the route map below indicates.

Little Red is able to get to the runway because the parent of British Airways acquired bmi and then had to give up some takeoff/landing slots at Heathrow airport.

Now that Little Red is ready to fly, Sir Richard says it will offer 'domestic flights that deliver our rock-and-roll spirit as well as real value for money'. How many other airlines promote a 'rock-and-roll spirit'?

Little Red will not be a super-budget airline. Instead, its 'value for money' positioning will include reserved seating and free snacks that echo the distinctive Virgin touch, such as Rude Health granola and Krispy Kreme doughnuts. And being part of the Virgin brand universe means Little Red will be launched with flair and social media fanfare.