The new VS paint scheme

Rumours that it is going back to airlivery to be redone.
Blotchy tail!
Link for PPRuNe members

It does not seem to be well received.

The A333 pic. does seem to be better with the purple name - perhaps much of the problem is a bad paint job (trying to save too much weight ?)

VS press release

New paint a failure?

The new livery uses an entirely new paint system which is unique to Virgin Atlantic – a first on commercial aircraft. It has been specially developed to achieve a highly reflective depth of metallic colour.

The painting process has been simplified, using fewer maskings and applications for a drastic reduction in materials used. Over 450 litres of paint was used and took over 3,000 – 3,500 man hours to paint. The new paint is more durable so aircraft will only require re-painting once a decade.

I see Air Livery only show the old VS paint scheme on their website.

No going back! it's on the VS website now

I agree with other posts. Losing the Union Jack Winglets was a very bad decision - I expect the PR dept will come out with a one liner "Virgin Atlantic is a global Company" - however I am a firm believer in acknowledging your roots. The winglets are plain red and dull. Bring back the Union Jack Winglets - it wouldn't distract from the new scheme.

There is even a Facebook group "Virgin Atlantic - Keep the Union Flag on your Winglets!" Suggest all like minded people join it. Clearly Virgin use FB for their own marketing, so maybe they will take note.

link to face book group
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=1 ... 9419041833

Says in the press release the Varga girl has been enhanced and flying a bigger flag - am i the only one that doesn't see any difference?

She does have a bigger flag and her knobbly knees have had a make over too.

View from the design company responsible.

Thanks for the link Bill.

So anyone care to guess what the Virgin Atlantic Gatehouse is? Have I missed something? Apparently it is a "sub brand".

I do not like the new Virgin Alantic logo, with the Virgin signature in a wavey fin/tail. They should have stuck with the current airplane fin/tail design on the logo.

So for claification as many have been asking. There are four liveries currently being used by VS.

We have the original 2000 silver scheme, so that has the purple line around the tail.

We have the modified G-VFAB 21st/25th birthday scheme, so the big Varga girl on the back of FAB.

We have the 2005 scheme (the best IMHO) so that is an enlarged Virgin signature logo, and an all red tail blending into purple on the ruder.

And then we have the 2010 scheme with billboard titles.

The sad thing about this new livery for me is the billboard titles. It smacks of just following every other major carrier in enlarging the carriers name (EK did it first, SQ followed, Egyptair have even done it!).

So anyone care to guess what the Virgin Atlantic Gatehouse is? Have I missed something? Apparently it is a "sub brand".

It is the crew check-in area in Terminal 3 - it's been around for over a year.

So for claification as many have been asking. There are four liveries currently being used by VS.

We have the original 2000 silver scheme, so that has the purple line around the tail.

We have the modified G-VFAB 21st/25th birthday scheme, so the big Varga girl on the back of FAB.

We have the 2005 scheme (the best IMHO) so that is an enlarged Virgin signature logo, and an all red tail blending into purple on the ruder.

And then we have the 2010 scheme with billboard titles.

Five, if you count 'RED, 'BUG & 'WEB's initial attempt at the 2005 scheme without the purple blend on the rudder.

AF

Perhaps it will end up as 6 for a while.
Still another 2 to be done at Air Livery on this contract - and hopefully they improve........

Well we were all complaining about the state of the paintwork.
Somebody is trying.

And then there is ex-VROM

due back to the fold in 2013

So anyone care to guess what the Virgin Atlantic Gatehouse is? Have I missed something? Apparently it is a "sub brand".

It is the crew check-in area in Terminal 3 - it's been around for over a year.

Thanks Tinks. Seems rather odd to brand a crew check in area to me.

This from the link Bill posted

From this point onwards all of the airlines printed and electronic collateral will gradually come in line with the new direction

What on earth does 'printed and electronic collateral' mean ?

Do they really need to use such bollocky language?

So for claification as many have been asking. There are four liveries currently being used by VS.

We have the original 2000 silver scheme, so that has the purple line around the tail.

We have the modified G-VFAB 21st/25th birthday scheme, so the big Varga girl on the back of FAB.

We have the 2005 scheme (the best IMHO) so that is an enlarged Virgin signature logo, and an all red tail blending into purple on the ruder.

And then we have the 2010 scheme with billboard titles.

Five, if you count 'RED, 'BUG & 'WEB's initial attempt at the 2005 scheme without the purple blend on the rudder.

AF

Six if you count G-VLIP in the Harry Potter colours...

This from the link Bill posted

What on earth does 'printed and electronic collateral' mean ?

Do they really need to use such bollocky language?

Yes, of course they do. Otherwise some of the mystique (and fee) would be lost.

BTW, I think it used to be known as "Stationery".

Paul

What on earth does 'printed and electronic collateral' mean ?

At first sight they seem to have forgotten the difference between a noun and an adjective but they are a marketing company so are using specialist terminology.
Marketing collateral.

You have to maintain the mystique of seeming to be a high priest

I like the new colour schemes - I don't like the colour purple so less is more afaik. As far as the Union Jack winglets... *shrug*

looks better on the a330 rendering. The 744 just doesn't look right. they should have at least fitted it within the upper and main deck windows
there is a time lapse video of the respray on Virgin Atlantic's youtube account

http://www.youtube.com/user/ThisIsVirginAtlantic#p/u/6/7uRFBuXtvdk

Thats a great time lapse video.

I had the pleasure of seeing 3 VS 747's all lined up today at Heathrow, and the paint jobs are looking pretty worn out in places (especially the purple ones).

I had hoped I might get to see the new paint job, but sadly she went to Miami I think.

They should have sorted out the window situation on the 747, and kept the union flags on the winglets, but apart from that I like it much better than the old ones.

Crispin

[buns]

Having just got off of Mustang Sally this morning (TR to follow, rest assured), I can say that when seeing the new paint job close up, it is fantastic. The metallic paintwork on the engine cowlings as the evening sunshine hit at JFK, was very evocative.

The best way I can describe the colour is "Lipstick Red" which of course is very apt

BTW the inside has also been spruced up

buns

[Nottingham Nick]

Nice to get a first hand opinion, rather than from computer generated images and photos - thanks Buns.

Personally, I am more pleased to hear about the inside being spruced up.

Nick

So for claification as many have been asking. There are four liveries currently being used by VS.

We have the original 2000 silver scheme, so that has the purple line around the tail.

We have the modified G-VFAB 21st/25th birthday scheme, so the big Varga girl on the back of FAB.

We have the 2005 scheme (the best IMHO) so that is an enlarged Virgin signature logo, and an all red tail blending into purple on the ruder.

And then we have the 2010 scheme with billboard titles.

Five, if you count 'RED, 'BUG & 'WEB's initial attempt at the 2005 scheme without the purple blend on the rudder.

AF

Six if you count G-VLIP in the Harry Potter colours...

Less of a livery and more of a sticker, which knowing VS will peel off with time and look tatty. But I see your point.

The best way I can describe the colour is "Lipstick Red" which of course is very apt

buns

That colour has another name which an innocent like you will not know ! (ask Mrs B! ) lol

Good to have some one who has seen it in the flesh so to speak.

The you tube video is also interested. A tad more than going down to B&Q for a bucket of magniloa required to repaint !"

Just seen the new livery go past the CH window on a 747. It does look much better 'in the flesh' as it were.

I would describe the red of the tail and engines as a deep ruby red - seeing it near one of the planes with the tail fin in the old red (with the purple boarder) it's like looking at a car painted in normal red and a car painted in a metalic red. There is more depth to it.

Oh, and the winglets are without the union flag....

Just seen the new livery go past the CH window on a 747. It does look much better 'in the flesh' as it were.

Ahhh, no pictures???

Just seen the new livery go past the CH window on a 747. It does look much better 'in the flesh' as it were.

Ahhh, no pictures???

It's a bit to far away - and I can only just see the tail fin now. I think it's parked past the control tower. I've also only got the camera on my phone which isn't that good either!

Sorry.

I could ask pjh if he's got a good camera but I don't want to his wife to think we're completely sad....