Virgin Atlantic / Ruby / November 2014

November / December 2014

Winter warmers Over 50 festive ways to celebrate in Aberdeen, Edinburgh, London, Manchester and beyond

Season of goodwill Meet the charity ambassadors

It’s not busIness as usual.

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Jeep_VirginRuby_Summer2014.indd Pg1 Prodigious UK

05/08/2014 14:05

CONTENTS

Editor in Chief Richard Rawlinson rrawlinson@spafax.com

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A-Z OF THE SEASON Our quick guide to festive fun

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FOOD SPY Edinburgh’s culinary hidden gem

Art Director Robin Castle Sub Editor Ian Shine Fashion Editor Georgina Yates Production Manager Henrietta Hurll Contributors Danny Brogan Jo Caird Stevie Chick Briony Edwards Chris McDonald

10 BAR CRAWL Hogmanay – Aberdeen-style 12 FASHIONISTO Smooth operators at the office party

Chief Executive Officer Niall McBain Chief Financial Officer Simon Ogden

14 FASHIONISTA Party like it’s 2015

President, Content Marketing Raymond Girard

17 SKIN DEEP Face up to the latest cosmetics trends

Executive Vice President, Global Corporate Development Katrin Kopvillem

19 TECHNOPHILE Gadget gifts for the stocking

ruby is published bi-monthly by Spafax on behalf of Virgin Atlantic

20 FILM BUFF Jennifer Lawrence is back as our favourite warrior girl

© 2014 Spafax Publishing, The Pumphouse, 13-16 Jacobs Well Mews, London, W1U 3DY Tel: +44 20 7906 2001 spafax.com The opinions expressed in this magazine are the writers’ and are not necessarily endorsed by Virgin Atlantic.

Information is correct at the time of going to press.

On the cover David Gandy © Battersea Dogs & Cats Home Advertising Enquiries Merle Stein Account Manager merle.stein@spafax.com +44 (0) 207 906 1983 +44 (0) 782 456 1174

© PA Images

Printed by ESP Colour on paper comprising 75% recycled fibre

Happy holidays he ruby team’s exciting challenge for this festive issue of the Virgin Atlantic Little Red magazine was to pack its pages with as many sparkling ideas as possible for seasonal things to do, places to go and goodies to buy.

Whether you’re travelling in England or Scotland, or transferring for a trip overseas, we highlight gems from new cinema releases, albums, fashion accessories and gadgets to red hot restaurants, bars and shows. From the winter wonderland ice rinks of London and New York to Priscilla Presley’s wicked pantomime performance in Manchester, we have it gift wrapped, and you can tie things up with Hogmanay fireworks in Edinburgh or snowboarding near Aberdeen.

Finally, it wouldn’t be the season of goodwill without a word about the charities seeking support for those less fortunate than ourselves.

Enjoy your flight with Little Red, and may we wish you a merry Christmas and a peaceful and prosperous 2015.

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22 MUSIC FAN Foo Fighters celebrate 20 years together 24 DIARY DATES Priscilla Presley is Manchester’s pantomime villain 26 DAY & NIGHT Winter in London and New York 28 GIVING BACK Charity stars spreading goodwill 32 VIRGIN TERRITORY Virgin Atlantic Little Red news

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A-Z

’Tis the season

To celebrate Christmas or Hogmanay, or simply to add cheer to the winter months, here’s our alphabetic line-up for the festive time of year

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E-cards save you money, are eco-friendly and can benefit your favourite charitable causes. Check out the options at Card Aid.

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© James Bryant

Burberry’s Bloomsbury bag is among the must-have accessories from the autumn/winter collections this year.

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Advent calendars from Hotel Chocolat will help to sweeten the countdown to Christmas by offering a treat in each day’s window.

Carol singing fills the air at London’s Trafalgar Square, with regular performances raising money for charity on 8-23 December.

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Decorations from John Lewis take on a British theme, with tree hangings ranging from a tartan-scarfed Scottie dog to a red post box.

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cardaid.co.uk

The fireworks at Edinburgh Castle are a highlight of the city’s worldfamous Hogmanay Street Party.

Guy Fawkes Night on 5 November goes with a bang in Manchester, with a bonfire and fireworks extravaganza at Heaton Park.

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Deck the halls with boughs of holly: get creative holly with table centrepieces and wreaths made from holly, berries, ivy, mistletoe and other seasonal flora.

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Burn off some of those Christmas calories with a bit of ice skating at London’s picturesque Somerset House.

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Save the Children’s Christmas Jumper Day asks you to wear a festive sweater, such as this one by Gant, for a day and donate £1 or more.

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jumpers.savethe children.org.uk

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Kilts come out for many occasions, including the festive party season. Buy or hire one from McCalls Highlandwear in Aberdeen or Edinburgh.

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This year’s Oxford Street Christmas lights will be switched on by Jessie J, at 6.15pm on 12 November, outside top London store, Selfridges. 

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A-Z

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Mulled wine is Christmas in a glass, says TV chef Jamie Oliver. Find his spicy, warming recipe on his website.

jamieoliver.com

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New Year’s Eve in Manchester offers everything from fireworks at Piccadilly Gardens to the annual Opera Gala at Bridgewater Hall.

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Onesie sales are set for an upsurge as retailers add new lines of holiday season ‘slouchwear’. This festive number comes from ASOS. asos.com

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Paddington, the cinema release about the bear’s adventures, is set to be a family favourite.

This means cuddly toy versions might be welcome stocking fillers for little ones.

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Retail therapy has never been easier when flying long haul with Virgin Atlantic.

Choose from a superb range of duty-free goods while on board.

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Ski and snowboard in Scotland, with resorts close to Aberdeen including Cairngorm Mountain and The Lecht.

change image Turkey has

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been the UK’s favourite Christmas meat since it was popularised by Edward VII in the early 20th century.

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The classic Ugg boot evokes images of a winter idyll and walking in fresh snow. uggaustralia.co.uk

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Is it to be the Queen’s Speech on Christmas Day or a brainy family quiz? For question ideas, The Telegraph website teams up each year with the BBC’s QI show.

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For vegetarian Christmas menus, go to bbc.co.uk. Winter recipes include stilton-stuffed mushrooms with cranberry relish and Nigella Lawson’s roast squash and sweet potato soup.

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Wrapping paper comes in many stylish designs, from plain glossy gold to graphic patterns.

Online retailer Not on the High Street offers a cute selection including this Brussels sprout print.

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A new game for Xbox 360 players is The Crew, in which you face diverse driving challenges in locations from New York streets to the wilds of Monument Valley.

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Yule logs, such as the Belgian chocolate variety from Waitrose, take their name from the logs burned in the hearth at yuletide, even in pagan days.

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After the Christmas feast, it’s time for a zzz.

As a gift for those travelling, these quirky adjustable pillows designed by Ostrich Pillow may be a welcome companion. l

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© Random House, ©VisitScotland/ScottishViewpoint

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Wickedthemusical.co.uk •

0844 871 3001

APOLLO VICTORIA THEATRE LONDON

fLying in to edinburgh this christmas! © WLPL

19 nov 2014 - 10 jan 2015

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0844 871 3014 • atgtickets.com/edinburgh 24/07/2014 16:19

FOOD SPY

Personal touch The Horseshoe Inn near Edinburgh offers bespoke dining and sightseeing Words Briony Edwards

Table talk Daniel Acevedo, head chef of London vegetarian restaurant, Mildreds

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ust half an hour from Edinburgh airport is a rural hidden gem, The Horseshoe Inn, a tranquil ‘restaurant with rooms’ in Peebles, set in the rolling heather-clad hills of the Scottish borders.

Having settled into our cosy guest room, my friend Georgina and I head to the dining room where we’re greeted by general manager Mark Slaney, who will be our host for a unique break including personalised tasting menu for dinner and yet more culinary indulgence while touring the glorious countryside.

Mark recommends our wines from a 300-strong list, ordered by grape variety. For an apéritif, we opt for La Pamelita Brut Espumoso, a sparkling shiraz which starts like a Champagne but finishes with warm notes typical of the syrah grape. This is accompanied by a selection of canapés, including grouse terrine on buckwheat crackers.

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What challenges do you face as a vegetarian chef?

Giving dishes flavour and making carnivores enjoy our meals. It pushes you to be creative, especially with herbs and spices. I’m always experimenting with new ways of preparing and presenting food.

Cooking style?

Quite rustic, I don’t overstyle on the plate. I feel food is enjoyed more when presented in a relaxed way.

Festive special menus?

We create a three-course Christmas dinner that can be ordered as individual dishes alongside our à la carte menu.

The restaurant, full of rustic period charm, has just 10 tables.

There’s no multiple sittings, so a leisured evening awaits.

Head chef Alistair Craig presents the menu, its dishes made from local and seasonal produce.

We start with an amuse bouche: I go for the mushroom cream with pickled enokitake and dried pearl barley while my companion has the pig’s trotter with apple and a celeriac velouté.

Georgina then opts for the personalised tasting menu. For starter alone, this includes succulent rabbit pie, salad of pan-fried mackerel fillet and potatoes in tartare sauce. My vegetarian choice is met with the artichoke soup with apple and croutons. It’s delicate, light and simply one of the best soups I’ve tasted.

For the tasting menu mains, my friend tries rich, earthy grouse, plus venison, cooked to pink perfection, complemented by a full-bodied Chilean Carmenère. My gnocchi is tender and served with vegetables plucked from the garden.

Next, we share the cheese course, Badentoy Blue with quince paste and served with a Malamado Malbec.

Our respective puddings are arctic roll with passion fruit sorbet, and a chocolate délice served with amaretti crumble and poached cherries.

Favourite dishes?

For starter, the artichoke heart crostini with lemon aioli, or fresh fig with blue cheese mousse and polenta biscuit. For the main, the Sri Lankan sweet potato and cashew nut curry.

For pudding, our new damson and vanilla ripple cheesecake with almond brittle or our vegan and gluten-free coconut and passion fruit mousse cake.

The Horseshoe offers period charm, a stunning setting and superb food

Dinner ends with amaretto coffee and petit fours (including orange madeleines still warm from the oven).

Unsurprisingly, we sleep well before the next day’s tour of the borders. After a traditional breakfast of porridge served with whisky, Mark takes us out for the day. Guests can choose their own lunch menu and setting – a bespoke barbecue in the hills with a personal chef and waiter is the most popular option.

We decide to visit the Ettrick Valley Smokehouse to meet Mike Roberts, the smoked salmon supplier of both the Horseshoe and Balmoral Castle.

What’s new for 2015?

We will be launching The Mildreds Cookbook next May, published by Octopus.

My head pastry chef, Sarah Wasserman, and I started a food blog on our website to archive daily specials and kitchen experiments.

This became the seed for a book of 110 recipes.

Tell us about your ethos.

Mildreds uses seasonal, local produce. Our juices and detox salads are organic, as are our eggs and milk, and most pulses, grains, nuts, seeds and flour. Our baker is within walking distance, and our vegetable supplier delivers in reusable plastic crates instead of cardboard boxes.

He treats us to a lunch of maplesmoked venison and oak-smoked salmon. Then it’s on to one of the border’s hilly peaks for tea and homemade flapjack, before a quick whizz around the Dawyck Botanic Garden.

For unpretentious luxury, The Horseshoe Inn is about as good as it gets. À la carte menus start from £45 per head, while the tasting menu costs £85 (or £55 without wines). Weekend breaks start from £350 per person, and include two nights of self-curated fine dining, lunch with a private chef and waiter, full board and personalised daytime activities. l horseshoeinn.co.uk

Tell us about the venue and clientele.

Our central location on Lexington Street, Soho, means we can get full, which only adds to the buzzy atmosphere.

There’s a great mix of office workers and tourists, vegetarians and carnivores for lunch and dinner. mildreds.co.uk

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BAR CRAWL

Bar talk Martin Farmer, general manager at Orchid Aberdeen

Ring the bells Put your best foot forward into 2015 with Hogmanay in Aberdeen Words Chris McDonald

ot only are Scotland’s traditional New Year’s Eve celebrations unique, but they come with their own vocabulary. At Hogmanay, neighbours ‘first foot’ after ‘the bells’, meaning they visit each other’s houses just after midnight, bearing food and gifts, wishing each other all the best for the year ahead, and sharing a dram of whisky.

In the ‘Granite City’ of Aberdeen, there’s Beach Ballroom hosts also plenty of lively entertainment and Hogmanay Ceilidh local camaraderie for visitors who don’t and laughs while Scottish fiddler Paul necessarily have lots of established friends Anderson leads a Hogmanay concert with in the neighbourhood. a band featuring some of the brightest Aberdeen’s Hogmanay Ceilidh – the lights of traditional Scottish music: Shona Gaelic word for a social gathering with folk Donaldson, and the Jonny Hardie Ceilidh music and dancing – takes place at the Band. ‘It’s a snapshot of northeast Scottish historic Beach Ballroom. ‘A warm welcome culture,’ says Anderson. is guaranteed,’ says ballroom manager John After these concerts, revellers head Johnstone. ‘A good ceilidh band ensures outside before the bells for a spectacular that, by the end of the night, you’ll be a fireworks display above His Majesty’s student of Scottish dance.’ Sustenance for Theatre. ‘There’s an incredibly warm these exertions comes in the form of stovies atmosphere, despite the temperature!’ (potato, vegetable and meat stew) as well says Anderson. ‘If you want traditional as, of course, a dram or two.

Hogmanay, Aberdeen delivers.’ l Down the road at Aberdeen Music Hall, aberdeeninvestlivevisit.co.uk compère Robert Lovie provides stories

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What is it about Orchid?

Aberdeen attracts people who want to run venues willing to do something different. At Orchid, our aim is to provide great service, quality drinks and a fun atmosphere. Our staff are knowledgeable, friendly and want to put Aberdeen on the map.

Tell us a story…

When Hugo from Made In Chelsea tried to get in on a Saturday night wearing scruffy trainers, the doorman refused him.

Hugo said, ‘Even if I’m on the telly?’ The doorman replied, ‘I’m not fussed about that.’ Our female staff weren’t too chuffed when they found out.

What’s your most popular cocktail?

The Pink Orchid has stayed on our menu for the past five years. It’s like an alcoholic raspberry ripple, combining Cariel vanilla vodka with Chambord raspberry liqueur.

Pink Orchid Mix, shake and double strain.

• 37.5ml Cariel vanilla vodka • 12.5ml Chambord raspberry liqueur • 12.5ml fresh lime • 12.5ml sugar syrup • 12.5ml egg white orchidaberdeen.com

PLANE CRISPS MARVELLOUS AT A MILE HIGH

Send us your Plane Crisp pics, poems or prose to @tyrrells /tyrrellscrisps Or why not join our Crisp Connoisseur Club at www.tyrrellscrisps.com

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FASHIONISTO

Inspired by vintage Aston Martins, this timepiece has become a staple for Christopher Ward.

Watch, Christopher Ward £335 / christopherward.co.uk

Stay stylish in this paisley, silk winter warmer by Simon Carter.

Scarf, Simon Carter £75 / simoncarter.net

Back in print Smooth operators at the office party go for traditional prints in purple Words Georgina Yates

From tartan to paisley, heritage prints are being given a modern makeover, with brands such as Ted Baker (main image) using rich purples, vibrant pinks and deep browns. Mix and match prints for extra style and a traditional elegance that’s bold without being brash.

Cannes jacket / £345 Canclin shirt / £95 Clocked tie / £60 Septro trousers / £109 Big Brit belt / £40 Trampos pocket square / £25 All at tedbaker.com

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Add a quirky touch to smart attire with a colour-coordinated bow tie.

Bow tie, Mrs Bow Tie / £22 / mrsbowtie.com

Murdock London has grown from a single barbershop to a top male grooming chain.

Splash on new fragrance, Renshaw, and tame locks with its moulding creme.

Renshaw Cologne, Murdock London £90 / murdocklondon.com Hair Play Moulding Creme, Murdoch London £14 / murdocklondon.com

Why just wait when you can be waited on?

Enjoy fully tended bars, freshly prepared food and unlimited WiFi in a No.1 lounge.

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Earn Virgin Atlantic Flying Club miles when you book a lounge at

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FASHIONISTA

Going for gold Get the Midas touch this party season Metallic is the new black as the Little Black Dress is challenged as a cocktail party staple by shiny gold numbers. Diane von Fürstenberg’s autumn/winter dress (main image) is a dazzling examples of this trend. Add twinkling accessories and sparkling nail varnish to complete the look.

Greek mythology inspires the latest collection, Siren, from Brighton-based jewellery designer Cara Tonkin.

Earrings, Cara Tonkin / £120 / caratonkin.com

Polish off your look with colourcoordinated nail varnish.

Nail Polish Gold, Burberry / £15 / burberry.com

Stand out in this jacket, embellished with gold sequins.

Jacket, Ted Baker £299 / tedbaker.com

Put some sparkle in your step with a pair of metallic heels.

Heeled sandals, Zara £49 / zara.com

Make a statement with Kausar’s octagonal handbag.

Handbag, Kausar / £225 wolfandbadger.com

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SKIN DEEP

Statement lips

Photos: www.WorldDutyFree.com

Backstage at this season’s Max Mara show, the models were made up with plum-rouge lips as an alternative to the trend of smoky eyes; both would be overkill. Set the look off by using lip liner to add extra impact and dusting the skin with MAC’s Mineralise SkinFinish Powder, which lends a pearlescent tone.

Hearts Aflame Lipstick, MAC / £15.50 Matte Lip Longwear Lip Pencil in Burgundy MAC / £12.50 Miniralise SkinFinish Powder, MAC / £23 maccosmetics.co.uk

Facing up to the festivities Glam up for the party season with dark red lips or smoky eyes Words Georgina Yates

Stay revitalised Late-night parties and over-indulgent feasts take their toll. Wake up tired skin with Origins GinZing face mask, a cool gel mask fortified with cucumber and caffeine to soothe and refresh.

Take preventative action with Estée Lauder’s collection of advanced night repair treatments for eyes. Or indulge with Crème de la Mer’s Regenerating Serum, which supports the skin’s natural collagen.

The Regenerating Serum Crème de la Mer £235 / cremedelamer.co.uk Advanced Night Repair Eye Serum, Estée Lauder £46 / esteelauder.co.uk GinZing Refreshing Facemask Orgins / £23 / origins.co.uk Advanced Night Repair Eye Estée Lauder £40 / esteelauder.co.uk

Smoky Nude Eye Palette Bobbi Brown £48 / bobbibrown.co.uk Noir Absolute for Eyes Tom Ford £26 / selfridges.com Lash Power Feathering Mascara, Clinique £18 / clinique.co.uk

Smoky eyes As you can see from this model, shot backstage at Misha Nonoo’s autumn/winter show, smoky eyes remain among the cosmetics world’s favourite looks.

Top make-up artist Bobbi Brown says: ‘It’s timeless – both sexy and classic. It’s the quickest way to instantly dress up eyes. With the right products and tools, it’s easy to create the look you want. A smoky eye looks prettiest when it stands out against minimal make-up.’ l 17

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TECHNOPHILE

Fitbit Flex

Teksta T-Rex London toy store Hamleys predicts this digital-age dinosaur will be a big hit this Christmas. Controlled by hand movements thanks to built-in motion sensor technology, children as young as four can determine their prehistoric pet’s mood by its eye movements.

Teksta’s T-Rex will have a conversation with you, and will tell you if he’s hungry and wants to be fed his bone. £60 / hamleys.com

The Fitbit Flex is like having a personal trainer wrapped around your wrist 24/7. Not only does the fitness wristband track steps, distance travelled and calories burned, it monitors your sleep patterns too. All stats can be synched wirelessly to your smartphone or computer, while leaderboards can be set up between friends to add some healthy competition. £79.99 / fitbit.com/uk/flex

Barbie Colour Change Handbag Fans of Barbie can hold up this handbag to any outfit, press the heart-shaped button, watch it light up and change colour to match their clothing. The bag recognises more than 100 different shades and comes with nine clip-on accessories and a wrist and chain strap.

There’s even a mini-bag for the accompanying Barbie doll.

Santa’s little helpers Our pick of stocking fillers for gadget lovers of all ages Words Danny Brogan

Zepp Golf Swing Analyser

The NutriBullet is the perfect gadget to help kick-start a healthy 2015. With a 600-watt motor powering the blades, the NutriBullet whips up tasty and nutritious juices or smoothies. It’s also surprisingly quiet, easy to clean and compact enough for easy storage.

Attach the Zepp motionsensor to your golf glove and then review your shot in 3D from any angle using an app on your smartphone or tablet.

The app also provides instant feedback to improve your backswing position, hip rotation and club speed, helping you become the next Rory McIlroy. Maybe.

£99.99 / buynutribullet.co.uk

£129.95 / zepp.com

£30 / hamleys.com

NutriBullet

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FILM BUFF

Hunger pains Jennifer Lawrence is back on the big screen with The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Words Richard Rawlinson

here’s a parallel between Jennifer Lawrence, the actress, and Katniss Everdeen, the hunted warrior girl she plays in The Hunger Games sci-fi adventure trilogy, the third instalment of which is set to be this winter’s blockbuster cinema release.

In The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1, Katniss, having destroyed the gladiatorial games, has become a reluctant heroine and symbol of hope for the nation of Panem. An outlaw in the eyes of the cruel authorities, she now fights to save her love interest, Peeta (Josh Hutcherson), and the rest of the downtrodden people of District 13.

Meanwhile, Lawrence, having conquered Hollywood, now wants a bit of privacy with her friends, away from the prying lens of the dastardly paparazzi.

Believe it or not, 2014 was planned as Lawrence’s ‘quiet year’ following an incredibly busy spell. ‘It’s been a whirlwind and I think I’ll remember being tired but excited,’ she said at the beginning of the year. ‘I’m now looking forward to peace and rest. I’d like to slow down; I’d like a little less attention; I’d like to buy a house and have a home.’

The intention was that fans would scarcely notice her temporary sabbatical, given the media coverage she’d be getting as a result of the recent flurry of work. As well as the current excitement about Mockingjay, Lawrence was big news in January when she won Best Supporting Actress at the Golden Globes for her role in crime drama American Hustle.

However, she didn’t foresee becoming the subject of tabloid speculation about whether her domestic arrangements would involve her X-Men co-star Nicholas Hoult or Coldplay’s Chris Martin. She just wanted to treat herself to a few months as a normal woman, albeit one enjoying the fruits of success.

Born in Kentucky, Lawrence moved to New York aged 14 to become an actor, and her talent was quickly discovered.

‘I was flown to Los Angeles and it all just kind of started,’ she says. Still a teenager, she was nominated for her first Oscar for

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2010’s Winter’s Bone. Scripts then began to pour in, including one for The Hunger Games. ‘All of a sudden there were paparazzi following me,’ she says.

Despite this elevation, Lawrence lived in a two-bedroom rented apartment, too in-demand to spend time planning her home life. The accolades kept coming, giving her everything except that elusive me-time. She won 2012’s Best Actress Oscar for Silver Linings Playbook while receiving ongoing adulation for her roles in The Hunger Games debut and its sequel, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.

Mockingjay’s arrival in cinemas makes Lawrence the undisputed hot property of this film season. Fame certainly has its advantages as well as its challenges. She has the clout to choose her roles and when she wants to work, but she also understands that she must take the occasional break to enjoy life on and off screen. l

Flying high Another landmark series from David Attenborough ritain’s favourite broadcaster, David Attenborough, returns with a landmark 3D nature series, this Christmas on Sky 3D. David Attenborough’s Conquest of the Skies 3D is a three-part series exploring the evolution of flight, using new filming techniques to analyse the flight patterns of gliding insects, parachuting mammals and all manner of birds.

Shot in locations including China, Scotland, Italy, Ecuador and Borneo, it promises to be as beautiful as it is informative. ‘The story of

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Take 3 Winter cinema releases

evolutionary flight is one I’ve always wanted to tell in 3D,’ says Attenborough. ‘It’s a wonderful subject and a very exciting project, but technically it’s a huge challenge.’

The series reunites Attenborough with producer Anthony Geffen. The pair are the only people to have twice won the Bafta award for Specialist Factual, for Natural History Museum Alive and Flying Monsters 3D. New technology for Conquest of the Skies ‘will allow us to see the story of animal flight in a way we’ve never seen it before’, Geffen says.l

Men, Women & Children How does the internet change our relationships?

Ansel Elgort, Jennifer Garner and Adam Sandler show us in this movie about teenagers and their parents.

Horrible Bosses 2 Three long-suffering employees become their own bosses but a slick investor pulls the rug under their venture.

The Imitation Game

Benedict Cumberbatch stars as mathematician Alan Turing, helping crack the Enigma code during World War II.

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MUSIC FAN

Listen up Albums for the airborne

Stevie Nicks 24 Karat Gold: Songs from the Vault The Fleetwood Mac vocalist’s solo album raids her rich archive of songs, brought up to date by producer Dave Stewart.

Royal Blood Royal Blood The duo’s Mercury Prize-nominated debut has drawn comparisons with Arctic Monkeys and Muse.

Sia 1,000 Forms of Fear Sia has written for Britney and Beyoncé, but her own form of pop nods more to Cyndi Lauper.

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the USA

Foo Fighters’ new album-cum-TV series is a love letter to American music Words Stevie Chick

ith their 20th anniversary coming up, Foo Fighters had to do something special with their eighth album, and they have. Sonic Highways, released in early November, is more than just another instalment of frontman Dave Grohl’s trademark rock, it’s also an eight-part TV documentary chronicling the production of the album and featuring guest appearances from music legends. To cap it all, US President Barack Obama makes a cameo.

‘The environment in which you record an album influences the result,’ says Grohl.

The band’s lead singer has a history of

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documentary-making, having directed 2013’s Sound City, about the legendary Los Angeles recording studio where albums

by Neil Young, Fleetwood Mac and Grohl’s previous band, Nirvana, were produced.

Sonic Highways takes the concept further. It shows Foo Fighters travelling across America, visiting recording studios in eight different cities and collaborating with some of Grohl’s heroes. The album’s artwork presents a skyline featuring landmarks from each city: Seattle’s Space Needle rubs shoulders with New York’s Empire State Building, the Washington Monument and the Hollywood sign.

‘Sonic Highways started with the idea of recording an album at studios all over the country, and working with different musicians,’ says Grohl. ‘It links them all together with these “sonic highways”. This is a musical map of America.’

The variety of musicians Grohl met might surprise some fans, with the cast list including country singer Dolly Parton, R’n’B star Pharrell Williams and rapper Chuck D. Others are heroes of the former Nirvana drummer, including Ian MacKaye, whose early 1980s punk band Minor Threat had a huge influence on Grohl deciding to pick up an instrument in the first place.

Sonic Highways was a happier experience than Grohl’s last project, the reissue of Nirvana’s In Utero, the final album before frontman Kurt Cobain’s suicide in 1994.

When I interviewed Grohl about In Utero, he admitted it was ‘difficult for me to listen to. Would I sit down with a glass of wine and listen to this album at home? No I wouldn’t. It would break my heart.’

In contrast, he describes Sonic Highways as ‘a love letter to the history of American music’. It’s also the fulfilment of Grohl’s life-long dream: recording at punk-rock studio Inner Ear in Washington, DC. ‘This is the studio I was most looking forward to visiting,’ he says, gesturing towards walls decorated with the albums made there. ‘It looks like my bedroom from when I was a teenager.’ l

Tough talk Find out what inspired Jessie Ware’s latest release essie Ware’s second album is the product of what has been the most manic year of her life. The former backing singer for Florence + The Machine and Jack Peñate found solo success in 2012 with her debut album, Devotion. Her new album, Tough Love, plays out like a musical diary inspired by old heartbreaks, new friends and her recent experience of stardom.

The title track was, she says, written ‘after a gruelling period of shows, to the point where I had run out of energy’. It also reflects good times, not least with new celebrity mates who guest on the album.

You & I (Forever) features soul sensation Miguel and was recorded when Ware was ‘so hungover I could only manage the softest vocal’.

Ed Sheeran, meanwhile, co-wrote Say You Love Me. ‘He started playing something on guitar, and I swear we wrote it in 30 minutes,’ Ware says with a smile.

The songs on Tough Love often concern the more painful side of romance. Ware, although now engaged, has been there, done that and got T-shirt on that score. ‘I was drawing on past experiences, cleansing myself of those demons,’ she says. ‘I’m trying to get this out before I’m a happily married woman.’ l

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DIARY DATES

Oh, yes I am!

Why Priscilla Presley can’t wait to play up to the crowds in Manchester Words Jo Caird

riscilla Presley, best known for being the former wife of the King of Rock’n’Roll, is looking forward to receiving boos and hisses when she switches her luxury lifestyle in the US for winter in Manchester.

The Queen of Graceland is donning a new crown as the Wicked Queen in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, the pantomime version of the classic fairy tale, staged at the Manchester Opera House.

Presley is stepping back into the role after playing it at London’s New Wimbledon Theatre two years ago. ‘I can honestly say it was one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life,’ she says, relishing the renewed challenge of songs, dance routines, slapstick comedy and audience participation.

However, she admits she was initially confused by the conventions of pantomime.

When she first read the script for the glamorous enemy of sweet Snow White, it was incomprehensible to her that she would enjoy being jeered.

This time around, she’s better prepared. ‘It’s such a wonderful honour to be spending

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Christmas in Manchester and be part of this British festive family tradition,’ she says.

Presley has personal reasons for reviving the role, as well as professional ones: her daughter Lisa Marie Presley lives in England with her husband and children. ‘My grandchildren absolutely loved seeing me on stage,’ says Presley, ‘and I can’t wait to get that costume back on.’

It wasn’t until after her marriage to Elvis that Presley began acting, most notably in the 1980s as Jenna Wade in hit TV series Dallas, and then opposite Leslie Nielsen in the Naked Gun films.

Her attraction to British pantomime is shared by other US screen stars: former Baywatch actors Pamela Anderson and David Hasselhoff as well as Happy Days’ Henry Winkler have trod the boards in recent years.

When the Wicked Queen creeps up behind Snow White in Manchester, get ready to shout, ‘She’s behind you!’ l Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Manchester Opera House, 5 December-4 January 2015 Tickets atgtickets.com

The World War I centenary is being marked by events in London and Aberdeen

What’s on

© PA Imges

As it’s the centenary of World War I, expect this parade on 9 November at the Cenotaph, Whitehall, London, to have extra poignancy.

The Tower of London also commemorates the anniversary with a stunning installation of ceramic poppies until 11 November.

Aberdeen’s War Aberdeen Art Gallery marks World War I’s centenary with an exhibition exploring the city’s involvement in the conflict. It includes work by local man James McBey, who was an official artist in the British Army during the war.

Courtesy of Blizzard Entertainment Inc.

Remembrance Sunday Parade

Bond in Motion in London

Game Masters in Edinburgh

See the thrilling collection of official James Bond vehicles at the London Film Museum. It includes the classic Aston Martin DB5, the helicopter that was used in Skyfall, the Crocodile Submarine from Octopussy and the control panel from the car used in the Die Another Day ice chase.

From 5 December, the National Museum of Scotland explores the development of video games from Donkey Kong to World of Warcraft.

The Game Masters exhibition showcases over 100 playable games.

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LONDON Day

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Day & Night

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The UK has Guy Fawkes, and the US has Thanksgiving, but both London and New York dazzle as winter wonderlands in the countdown to Christmas and the New Year Words Ian Shine

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A fine London tradition is the giant Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square, an annual gift from Norway since 1947. Iconic stores from Fortnum & Mason and Selfridges to Harrods and Harvey Nichols also light up the town with their lavish window displays at this time of year 1 .

The capital’s green spaces get a festive makeover, too: Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland 2 entrances visitors with circus shows, fairground rides and market stalls from 21 November.

Ice rinks also pop up to mark the season, with the magnificent courtyard of Somerset House among the most magical.

Just over the river are yet more Christmas stalls around the Southbank Centre.

As well as various Guy Fawkes Night bonfires on 5 November, another early-winter diary date is the Lord Mayor’s Show on 8 November, climaxing with Thames-side fireworks at 5pm. The most spectacular pyrotechnic display is on New Year’s Eve at the London Eye, as Big Ben strikes midnight 3 .

London’s hospitality venues rival those of New York. Mayfair’s Baglioni Hotel offers guests free tickets to Victoria & Albert Museum show, Constable: The Making of a Master. Soho’s Dean Street Townhouse restaurant opens on Christmas Day, offering faff-free, twinkly gatherings. December shows range from Madness at The O2 arena to The Nutcracker ballet at The Coliseum 4 . For something different, try the atmospheric Concerts by Candlelight at the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse.

NEW YORK Day Winter in New York has been immortalised in films such as Serendipity, which features the ice-skating landmark of Central Park’s Wollman Rink. There’s also a rink at the Rockefeller Center, a festive fixture since 1936. Nearby, don’t miss the extravagantly chic Christmas window display at Fifth Avenue’s Bergdorf Goodman store, and the origami Christmas tree at the American Museum of Natural History. Another must-see is the Macy’s Parade 1 to mark Thanksgiving on 27 November.

The carnival trails from Central Park West to Macy’s in Herald Square. Meanwhile, Christmas markets at Bryant Park 2 and Union Square will charm you as you shop for handicrafts.

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Photos: © NYC & Company/Will Steacy / Alex Lopez / Julienne Schaer / Joe Buglewicz; ©VisitBritain / Britain on View; © Joan Marcus 2014

Night The lights of the Rockefeller Center’s towering Christmas tree are switched on ceremoniously on 3 December 3 – a tradition that started back in 1933.

On New Year’s Eve, fireworks explode above Brooklyn’s Prospect Park, or you can join the revellers in Times Square, where the pyrotechnics get under way at 6pm before the world-famous crystal ball drop at midnight. Like London, New York has an abundance of top restaurants such as Balthazar in Soho. Many hotels are good value at this time of year, thanks to their special festive deals. Over towards Broadway, one of the city’s hottest show tickets is the decadent musical Cabaret, directed by Sam Mendes and staged at Studio 54, famous for its nights of wild partying in the 1970s 4 .

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CHARITY

Giving back With the festive season being a time to share the love, we meet charity ambassadors supporting causes from animals and children to homelessness David Gandy on...

Battersea Dogs & Cats Home A dog is for life, not just for Christmas. So goes the mantra of animal-lovers such as top male model David Gandy, who is also the first celebrity ambassador of Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, which takes in thousands of unwanted pets every year.

‘It costs £36,000 a day to run Battersea’, says Gandy. ‘It takes in nearly 9,000 animals a year. When you hear that, you want to help as much as you can’.

This year, Battersea is focusing on a public appeal aiming to raise £1.9 million to help replace outdated kennels with state-of-the-art facilities, which will improve and speed up each dog’s journey through the home. ‘These new kennels will enable us to rehome more dogs each year,’ says Gandy. ‘When Battersea built its new cattery, cat rehoming increased by 30 per cent.’

You can donate £5 by texting DOGS to 70800. battersea.org.uk

Manchester United stars on... the MU Foundation The Foundation works in some of the most disadvantaged areas of Greater Manchester, using the local passion for football to educate, motivate and inspire the area’s young people.

Ryan Giggs says: ‘Getting involved in the Foundation’s work is definitely something the lads enjoy doing.’ Reds team-mate Jonny Evans adds: ‘As players we just turn up and do our bit, but the Foundation works long hours at home and on tour.’

Club fundraising events include the United for Unicef gala dinner on 4 November. Foundation events include the Santa Run on 7 December, starting at Old Trafford. There’s a 2km family fun run and a 5km serious run, plus prizes for the best fancy dress. mufoundation.org

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Chris Paterson on...

Kiltwalk

In October, comedian Jo Brand hosted A Night Under the Stars, the annual gala concert at the Royal Festival Hall that raises much-needed funds for The Passage, central London’s ground-breaking day centre for homeless people.

Having previously worked as a psychiatric nurse, Brand holds The Passage close to her heart. The charity not only provides food, clothing, showers and healthcare for vulnerable people, but also aims to empower them to leave the streets, giving them practical advice on housing or dealing with addictions.

Its learning centre tackles literacy and computer skills.

The Passage helps over 200 people a day to access these diverse services.

The next fundraiser for The Passage is its Carol Service by Candlelight at 6pm on 16 December at St Margaret’s Church, Westminster Abbey.

Former Scotland rugby player Chris Paterson lends his support to Kiltwalk, a foundation that helps the country’s children’s charities by organising a range of walking events.

In the first half of 2015, there are walks of 10-26 miles planned in Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow, each with lashings of Kiltwalk fun: bagpipes, celebrity appearances and regular refreshments.

This year, from 26 November to 1 December, there’s the New York Kiltwalk, a holiday of exercise and camaraderie treading the sidewalks of Manhattan. There are guided excursions along the way, plus, naturally, a St Andrew’s Day jamboree on 30 November.

Paterson says: ‘For many, doing the Kiltwalk has sprung out of their own difficult experiences, yet that only seems to motivate them even more. Scotland’s children are the country’s heart and soul; the support for them is obvious on every Kiltwalker’s face.’

Tickets from 020 7592 1856 or tickets@passage.org.uk

thekiltwalk.org.uk

© Rex

Jo Brand on... The Passage

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CHARITY

Change is in the Air! Our sustainability programme includes environmental and community initiatives.

The priority of our Change is in the Air! programme is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions for every passenger journey. Our investment in new fuel-efficient aircraft means we’re improving our carbon efficiency. We’re also driving the uptake of low-carbon aviation fuels through our sustainable fuels programme.

Sir Richard Branson on…

The Virgin Atlantic Foundation Set up in 2003 to support the welfare of children and young people, The Virgin Atlantic Foundation allocates funds raised by its Community Investment programme. ‘Change for Children donations collected on board Virgin Atlantic international flights, as well as staff fundraising donations, go to The Virgin Atlantic Foundation. These are used by our charity partner Free The Children to support projects in the UK and overseas,’ says Sir Richard Branson.

Last year, the foundation distributed more than £1.2 million, raised through donations to Change for Children, staff fundraising and other means.

Change for Children, which raises about £50,000 a month, was the idea of Richard’s wife, Joan, who noticed how her husband put loose foreign change in a drawer after trips abroad. Virgin Atlantic became the first airline to collect 30

foreign currency in charity envelopes provided on flights.

Virgin Atlantic staff are active charity volunteers in other ways, too. Last year, 250 caring and adventurous people at Virgin Atlantic trekked, climbed, ran and cycled all over the world in a series of fun and challenging ventures.

Craig Kreeger, Virgin Atlantic chief executive, says: ‘I’m incredibly proud of our people and how they have embraced our partnership with Free The Children.

They approach fundraising with the enthusiasm and grit to make things happen and change lives. It’s just one of the many reasons that Virgin Atlantic is such a great place to work.’

The community investment programme is part of the Virgin Atlantic Change is in the Air! sustainability strategy ((see right).

We’re focusing on better management of our energy on the ground, too, with our designers, buyers and suppliers pioneering more sustainable supply chain practices. We were the first airline to partner with The Sustainable Restaurant Association and to offer Fairtrade tea and coffee on board.

Our community investment programme supports Free The Children. Our partnership has two parts: international development and UK schools work.

Free The Children aims to cultivate a new generation of young people with the vision and commitment to address the local and global issues of our time. virginatlantic.com/ changeisintheair To find out how to get involved, e-mail: ukyouth@freethechildren.com

Virgin territory Star chef takes off TV chef Lorraine Pascale is now creating her healthy dishes for Virgin Atlantic Upper Class passengers, plus children’s meals throughout all cabins.

The star of BBC show Home Cooking Made Easy launches her delicious, light dishes in Upper Class with seared tuna steak with cannellini beans, feta and mint. Children can enjoy Lorraine’s marvellous mac’n’cheese.

Charitable spirit Why Virgin Atlantic is serving Elephant Gin on flights to Africa f you love both gin and wildlife, then Elephant Gin is for you. It’s a charity-minded tipple that’s helping to save one of Africa’s most endangered species. Its sales support the campaign against ivory poaching, a practice that is reducing the elephant population by more than 35,000 a year.

Robin Gerlach, Tessa Wienker and Henry Palmer launched Elephant Gin in 2013 after a trip to Africa revealed to them the horrors of the ivory trade.

‘As well as using the gin to raise awareness, we donate 15% of our profits to Space for Elephants and the Big Life Foundation, which work towards protecting the elephant,’ says Tessa.

Produced in small batches at a distillery near Hamburg in Germany, each round of production is named after one of the elephants that has played a role in Space for Elephants’ and Big Life Foundation’s

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history – you’ll find the names handwritten on the beautifully designed bottles.

The gin’s distinct flavour also offers a taste of the continent. ‘We scoured Africa for botanicals that no other company has used,’ says Robin. ‘We use 14 botanicals, including herbs called Lion’s Tail, African Wormwood, which has a sharp floral note, and the savannah’s superfruit, Baobab.’

Henry adds: ‘Elephant Gin is popular with bartenders because they can use it to give classic cocktails a different edge or to invent totally new ones.’

So there you have it: a delicious new gin that combines a taste of exotic Africa with a commitment to helping one of the continent’s oldest inhabitants.

As well as Virgin Atlantic stocking Elephant Gin on flights to Africa, you can order online or buy from selected retailers across Europe. l elephant-gin.com

Other dishes include Thai beef salad with roasted pine nuts and chilli dressing, or, for children, tender chicken strips with potato wedges and crushed peas.

Reuben Arnold, brand and customer engagement director at Virgin Atlantic, says: ‘Lorraine’s dishes reflect her philosophy of food, which is to champion fresh, nutritious and simple meals.’

Pascale adds: ‘Food and travel have always been my great passions, so working with Virgin Atlantic on their inflight menus was the perfect opportunity to combine my two loves.’

On the Guest List Add extra luxury to your next Virgin Atlantic long-haul flight.

If you take our Guest List package as a Premium Economy or Economy customer, you can enjoy some of the best bits of our Upper Class service in the UK and US

CHAUFFEUR SERVICE Start your journey in style with a car that takes you from your house to our award-winning Clubhouses, or to and from the airport if you’re connecting with Virgin Atlantic Little Red on either side of your long-haul flight.

CLUBHOUSE Enjoy the ultimate preflight experience. Dine on gourmet food and sip a cocktail at the bar in one of our Clubhouses. Or simply relax in style with a complimentary spa or hair treatment.

DOOR TO DOOR If you’re flying direct from London Heathrow, you’ll check in effortlessly, straight from your car.

Then you’ll glide through our Private Security Channel to our Upper Class Wing. An oasis of calm. Or if you’re connecting from Little Red, your transfer bus takes you directly to departures.

BAGGAGE SOLUTIONS Even your baggage is on the Guest List. It’s tagged as Upper Class when you check in.

The Guest List is available when travelling to or from London Gatwick, London Heathrow, Boston, New York (Newark and JFK), San Francisco and Washington. Entry closes three weeks before your flight departs. And as you’d expect, spaces are limited. l To find out more or to book the Guest List for your next flight, call +44 344 874 7747.

Join Flying Club Get your membership off to a flying start by earning 750 miles* for the one-way Virgin Atlantic Little Red flight you have taken today.

It’s free to join and you’ll earn Flying Club miles every time you fly with us* or use our network of airline, hotel or car rental partners.

Ask a member of our cabin crew for an enrolment form now or register online at virginatlantic.com/joinonboard and soon you’ll be flying to fabulous destinations on us. *Excludes reward flights.

You can even claim miles for any flights taken on Virgin Atlantic in the past six months.* 33

Virgin territory

Transfers As easy as ABC, Virgin Atlantic Little Red connections link London to the rest of the UK and the world Departures Shopping Food & drink

Flight connections Food & drink

Terminal Escalator 2

Shopping

Level 5: Aer Lingus Gold Circle Lounge

Elevator

Food & drink

Level 4

Gates 21-26

Domestic to international connections London Heathrow Terminal 2 to Terminal 3

International to domestic connections London Heathrow Terminal 3 to Terminal 2

Here’s how we’ll connect you: ARRIVE: Simply step off the aircraft and our dedicated bus will be waiting for you.

BUS: Board our bus and whizz over to Terminal 3. Then follow the Virgin Atlantic connection signs to your next flight.

CHECK: You don’t have to do a thing. We’ll get all your checked baggage to the other side of the airport. The map above provides directions to the departure lounge.

Here’s how we’ll connect you: ARRIVE: At Terminal 3, follow the purple signs for Flight Connections.

BUS: Then hop on the connections bus, which departs every six to ten minutes. Easy.

CHECK: Just let security check your hand luggage before you go through passport control. Then just relax and enjoy the terminal facilities until your flight is ready to board.

Retail therapy If you’re travelling with us long haul, we have a superb range of duty free goods available on our flights.

Avoid the stress of shopping at the airport and shop at your leisure while relaxing on board.

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SEE THE WORLD FROM

Aberdeen, Edinburgh & Manchester.

FLY VIRGIN ATLANTIC LITTLE RED TO OUR WORLD WIDE DESTINATIONS, VIA HEATHROW.

EARN MILES AND GET EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNTS

because you’re a Flying Club member*

For our best deals visit us today, in store, at virginholidays.co.uk or call 0844 557 2416 *Date restrictions and other conditions apply, not bookable online, please ask staff for details

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