Virgin Atlantic's New Red Shoes Debut On Flight (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Sir Richard Branson's Virgin brands are always one to make a splash (remember his arrival at the Dallas airport for Virgin America?), and Monday's announcement of a new red shoe for female flight attendants on Virgin Atlantic is no exception.

The new patent shoes, named, appropriately, "Dorothy" and Dotty," will make their debut on Virgin Atlantic's first flight of its new A330 from Manchester to Orlando on Monday.

The shoes come on the heels (no pun intended) of the success of the airlines' newest commercial, which debuted last fall (watch below).

In a press release, Steve Ridgway, airlines' Chief Executive, said:

We have listened to our staffs' comments and we have been working very hard to develop a pair of patent leather red shoes that will reflect the glamour of our iconic uniform and I am very pleased to see the launch of the new shoe on a day when we launch our new shiny Airbus A330 at Manchester Airport. I am sure the new red shoe will add even more glamour to our female uniformed staff worldwide.

By this summer, the shoes will be worn by female flight attendants on all planes, presumably making the hottest flight attendants in the skies even hotter.

In related news, Virgin Blue (the company's Australian counterpart) made headlines when they debuted chic new uniforms February that were modeled by Elle Macpherson (see photos below).

WATCH the commercial below:

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Australian supermodel Elle Macpherson takes part in a fashion display to launch airline Virgin Blue's new uniform in Sydney on February 23, 2011. Sixty of Virgin Blue's own pilots and crew, as well as Macpherson, paraded the striking new red and royal purple uniforms as the first step in a series of exciting changes for the airline in 2011. (GREG WOOD/AFP/Getty Images)

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Australian supermodel Elle Macpherson takes part in a fashion display to launch airline Virgin Blue's new uniform in Sydney on February 23, 2011. Sixty of Virgin Blue's own pilots and crew, as well as Macpherson, paraded the striking new red and royal purple uniforms as the first step in a series of exciting changes for the airline in 2011.

(GREG WOOD/AFP/Getty Images)

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Comments

[Barbara Graham]

12:42 PM on 04/09/2011

Oh, isn't that great. Shoes that wreck a woman's foot over years, forced on women who spend much of their working life up on their hind legs catering to passengers.

Well played, Branson. Looks like image trumps well-being for your female employees; women who, I might add, are trained in emergency procedures and CPR/First Aid.

So you stuff their feet into stupid heels? Yeah, that'll make their service better. Feh!

[asmarawreksono]

12:08 PM on 04/05/2011

It would be better if they collaborate with jelly-shoes maker: Melissa Shoes which produces the most comfortable jelly-heels ever. Trust me, I'm a girl and I know which shoes are comfortable. Those exhibited above look like they're ready to seriously pinch some toes.

[Gavin Saunders]

08:44 AM on 04/05/2011

What, no lap dances?

[shespeaks]

08:25 AM on 04/05/2011

The red heels may be fun, but for the workers, it has to be the worst kind of punishment. Some of those people are on their feet for many hours. Flats would have been smarter, and female passenger would have found them just as attractive. As for the men...why doesn't Branson just put the attendants in some kind of Playboy-ish outfit. Surely then it would be enough. Particularly if they are made to lean waaaay over when serving a drink.

[ChicagoBob]

06:37 AM on 04/05/2011

High heels for in flight personnel, in any position, is poor judgement regarding safety, and cruel and unusual for the women.

[NoDubya]

07:48 AM on 04/05/2011

It's for our entertainment. Relax.

[Seaborn75]

05:43 AM on 04/05/2011

Best. news. ever. Thank you for the newsworthy article-- I can sleep easier now.

[winias]

04:27 AM on 04/05/2011

Good. Now increase the salaries of pilots please.

[European1919]

02:15 AM on 04/05/2011

Red suspenders and stockings are still missing.

[fco1922]

02:06 AM on 04/05/2011

Lucky Virgin passengers. I recently flew Delta. I swear some of the flight attendants used walkers. However, Singapore beats everyone else hands down. Their uniforms seem to be form fitted.

[Barbara Graham]

12:44 PM on 04/09/2011

See how that helps in an emergency. Please wait your turn. Oh, and here's your sign...

[Amber Berglund]

12:17 AM on 04/05/2011

I like the fact that there's a return to formality and glamour on flights. I don't think it matters where I'm going, it makes it more special. Like an event. I would like to see a return to passangers dressing-up for flights. It's a little easier to deal with, when the guy sitting next to me begins vomiting into the sick-bag, and he's dressed in a suit... and I'm dressed in a suit, and I start vomiting as well...because of the turbulance, and the smell of the bathrooms...and the guy vomiting next to me.

[ultrabop]

08:50 AM on 04/05/2011

f and f !

[kayg]

12:01 AM on 04/05/2011

yes i agree with the comment below. it'll only be really exciting when male flight attendants get to wear sexy red pumps too!

[NoDubya]

07:47 AM on 04/05/2011

No it won't.

[marakima]

11:41 PM on 04/04/2011

It'll be exciting news only when the male flight attendants as well get to wear red pumps.

[NoDubya]

07:48 AM on 04/05/2011

That's a negative.

[HenryT2]

11:37 PM on 04/04/2011

Virgin Atlantic is a very good airlines as long as there are no problems. It seems that their front line staff (cabin crew, reservations, check in, etc.) is well trained, but their back office is run like a budget airlines run by bean counters.

I flew a couple years ago during Christmas. My 4 bags were lost for several days which caused me to have to buy clothes and toiletries. Then, my final bag (which contained several gifts) was delivered on Christmas morning WITHOUT the XBox that I'd bought as a gift inside. It had been stolen.

Virgin refused to compensate me for the lost XBox because it was electronic goods despite the fact that it was boxed in the original package and wasn't damaged, but stolen. If it had been a cashmere sweater or antique heirloom or some sort, I'm going to guess they'll pull out the "valuables" clause. But they also refused to compensate me in any way for the delayed baggage. I offered to accept an upgrade or something, but they wouldn't accept ANY responsibility because the baggage handler in LAX was an outside contractor.

They were however, very apologetic and gracious while they turned down my every request for compensation. I, in turn, say "I'm so sorry Virgin. You've lost a customer for life."

[HekmagaJuximaxx]

10:55 PM on 04/04/2011

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MGjV8HiLi4

[The Truth Seeker]

10:18 PM on 04/04/2011

Seems uncomfortable.