Aer Lingus Fleet/Routes Discussion

Bussywussy

EWR is to be retired according to rumours,LAX not just yet as its owned,again I wouldn't believe anything until I saw it parked in the desert

sdanseo

Locker10a wrote: »

This week EI cancelled flights due to running out of pilots. Hope they cop on soon.

Future pilot program in full swing again. Fully funded and likely to attract 4000 applicants for 20-40 positions. They will have no bother filling those positions with nothing short of the best people.

As for the rest, direct entry, they are competitive, plenty FR pilots looking for and making the move, I know at least two who have made the leap.

alancostello

sdanseo wrote: »

Future pilot program in full swing again. Fully funded and likely to attract 4000 applicants for 20-40 positions. They will have no bother filling those positions with nothing short of the best people.

As for the rest, direct entry, they are competitive, plenty FR pilots looking for and making the move, I know at least two who have made the leap.

If this IAG 737 MAX order goes ahead then there'll be a ton of A32x pilots in a few years that could be brought in, right around the time of the XLRs, a lot will be retrained obviously but I wouldn't be surprised to see transfers, any FR pilots would slot in nicely on those new aircraft when the time comes.

Nibs05

A330 spotted in Toulouse in primer, reg EI-xIM

https://digitalairliners.com/

goingnowhere

LAX is owned outright but needs significant work due a number of incidents

adam88

goingnowhere wrote: »

LAX is owned outright but needs significant work due a number of incidents

But it’s still flying. Can’t be that bad

HTCOne

goingnowhere wrote: »

LAX is owned outright but needs significant work due a number of incidents

Could well be one of the highest cycle 330s still flying from the Shannon stopover and Malaga/Faro runs over the years. At some point it would actually be cheaper to by a newer/less cycled frame from the likes of QR or KLM than to carry out the work required to extend her life.

HTCOne

adam88 wrote: »

But it’s still flying. Can’t be that bad

Each airframe is only certified up to a certain number of cycles. This can be extended, but it’s expensive, and the more cycles and hours thereafter, the more expensive it gets (inspection intervals and component replacement intervals continue to shrink). This works for freighter conversions because they spend most of the time grounded. It gets very expensive for pax aircraft which need greater utilization to make a profit.

sportsfan90

sdanseo wrote: »

Future pilot program in full swing again. Fully funded and likely to attract 4000 applicants for 20-40 positions. They will have no bother filling those positions with nothing short of the best people.

As for the rest, direct entry, they are competitive, plenty FR pilots looking for and making the move, I know at least two who have made the leap.

Just wondering where you heard these figures sdanseo? It's usually much lower, around 12 I believe.

As one of the applicants I hope your numbers are more accurate than mine.

jucylucy

“This week EI cancelled flights due to running out of pilots. Hope they cop on soon.“......

The Ryanair news today about dropping pilots must be good news for EI then!

roundymac

jucylucy wrote: »

“This week EI cancelled flights due to running out of pilots. Hope they cop on soon.“......

The Ryanair news today about dropping pilots must be good news for EI then!

EI could run into similer problems as FR,we'll just have to wait for Brexit which is not going to nice.

Dardania

roundymac wrote: »

EI could run into similer problems as FR,we'll just have to wait for Brexit which is not going to nice.

I got the impression FR's woes were partially due to them manning up to crew the 737MAX8s, and then having no work for them without having the airframes...

goingnowhere

roundymac wrote: »

EI could run into similer problems as FR,we'll just have to wait for Brexit which is not going to nice.

The question is what the route authorities are post Brexit, if we remove all the EU stuff, what applied before EU regulations could come back.

In simple terms if BA wants to fly LHR-DUB they won't be flying unless an Irish registered carrier is permitted to do so also and since EI is the only slot owner its going to be them.

EI's base in Belfast is a big question, EI did have a UK AOC at the start but no more.

If you cannot fly to the UK all the transfer business at LHR/LGW/MAN will have to relocate to somewhere else, won't be anywhere to fly anyway as the UK won't be in open skies...

Biggest risk here is actually EI's balance sheet, the slots in LHR are an asset and on paper are worth hundred's of millions, EI has sold/swapped/leased these if business at LHR collapses then the slots become effectively worthless. EI also has to use its slots or face losing them...

L1011

In pre-EU days, EI had a hub at Manchester. There was obviously some method to allow for that in the legislation of the time.

Locker10a

L1011 wrote: »

In pre-EU days, EI had a hub at Manchester. There was obviously some method to allow for that in the legislation of the time.

Yeah probably a built up agreement between governments, not really close to the free market we all take for granted today

goingnowhere

The ultimate question is how they were terminated and if the repeal legislation either by design or by consequence brings them back.

It would suit EI a lot more than FR

kevinandrew

Strange Aer Lingus hasn't made any public acknowledgement of the A321LR delivery yet, maybe they're waiting for tomorrow when it enters service? Other carriers have posted regular updates about new aircraft progress, on board product, dedicated pages on their websites and received special 'In The Making' videos from Airbus. 

Guess we'll have to wait and see what happens tomorrow.

kevinandrew

Well, just as a I posted that, a nice promotional video has appeared online. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxWIb-CCD4c

I like the shamrock detail on the bulkheads.

goingnowhere

Hmm three point seat belts, thats a difference, hopefully we loose the airbag lap belt which was a bit annoying

Tenger

goingnowhere wrote: »

Hmm three point seat belts, thats a difference, hopefully we loose the airbag lap belt which was a bit annoying

Qantas has had these on its J Class Thompson seats for a while. Read it about 5-6 years ago. Apparently it allows pax to be fully reclined for takeoff and landing.

kevinandrew

I think it comes as standard on the Thompson seat now, TAP also features it on their newly delivered A321LR and A330neo fleet.

Tenger

kevinandrew wrote: »

I think it comes as standard on the Thompson seat now, TAP also features it on their newly delivered A321LR and A330neo fleet.

Interesting

Jack1985

goingnowhere wrote: »

Hmm three point seat belts, thats a difference, hopefully we loose the airbag lap belt which was a bit annoying

Airbags gone, infants permitted in all seats in J now.

liiga

Will the A321neo be roll out of the hangar tonight for the first flight TOMMORROW

sdanseo

sportsfan90 wrote: »

Just wondering where you heard these figures sdanseo? It's usually much lower, around 12 I believe.

As one of the applicants I hope your numbers are more accurate than mine.

I applied a few years back (got to final 200, group interviews, but missed out) and that was the number being bandied around.

I'm making the assumption it's the same each year but I could well be talking out my hole as well. :rolleyes:

Edit: looks like I was. 18 last year. http://www.travelextra.ie/7800-applied-for-18-trainee-pilot-places-with-aer-lingus/

Bussywussy

The economy power outlets on the back of the seat in front is much better imo

alancostello

Bussywussy wrote: »

The economy power outlets on the back of the seat in front is much better imo

It also looks like there's one for each person instead of one between each pair of seats? Could be wrong though.

Locker10a

Bussywussy wrote: »

The economy power outlets on the back of the seat in front is much better imo

Except when you’re trying to eat a meal and you get tangled up in wires chargers and headphones

Tenger

liiga wrote: »

Will the A321neo be roll out of the hangar tonight for the first flight TOMMORROW

Doubt it. Scheduled STD is 2pm.
Maybe towed out 2 hours earlier is all that is needed.
They may tow it over earlier in order to get some PR shots of it first revenue flight.

Dev1234

I heard on the radio this morning that the first commercial flight for the A321LR is to Minneapolis.

I'm flying DUB-MSP next Tuesday and returning next Friday - what are the chances of getting a spin on the A321LR? Or will it be an ASL 757?

Thanks

Tenger

Sorry. The radio is wrong. 1st A321LR flight is to Hartford today. PHL and IAD will be changed to A321LR over the next month or two.
B757 will operate DUB-MSP unitl next year.

Obviously the researcher mixed up the new route and the new aircraft.

Dev1234

:-(

Thanks Tenger

NH2013

I see when booking a flight on the Aer Lingus Website to SFO in April next year that the flight numbers have changed in the booking engine from EI147/EI146 to EI61/EI60, with the numbers also having changed for;

LAX (EI145/EI144 ->EI69/EI68),
SEA (EI143/EI142 -> EI53/EI52) and
IAD (EI119/EI118 -> EI117/EI116) as well.

Wonder if this is a sign that the rumored additional frequencies to SFO could be making an appearance next summer with flight numbers now freed up for the extra flights (EI63/62)?

tricky D

Tenger wrote: »

Sorry. The radio is wrong. 1st A321LR flight is to Hartford today. PHL and IAD will be changed to A321LR over the next month or two.
B757 will operate DUB-MSP unitl next year.

Obviously the researcher mixed up the new route and the new aircraft.

Lining up atm.

cson

Tenger wrote: »

Sorry. The radio is wrong. 1st A321LR flight is to Hartford today. PHL and IAD will be changed to A321LR over the next month or two.
B757 will operate DUB-MSP unitl next year.

Obviously the researcher mixed up the new route and the new aircraft.

Pretty certain IAD is A332s thru October.

Bsal

Got a camera phone pic as she taxied past

WishUWereHere

tricky D wrote: »

Lining up atm.

Not doubting either you, Tricky D or Tenger, but I also heard what Dev1234 heard this morning. Bloody joke when a person representing AE cannot have his facts right.

Alpha Romeo

cson wrote: »

Pretty certain IAD is A332s thru October.

Yeah it looks like the A321LR is starting IAD on 29/10 every Tue/Thur/Sat, with the A332 covering the other days, but apparently going daily on 06/01

Jack1985

Alpha Romeo wrote: »

Yeah it looks like the A321LR is starting IAD on 29/10 every Tue/Thur/Sat, with the A332 covering the other days, but apparently going daily on 06/01

Which is the exact same schedule as the 757 last winter but substituted by a 21N. Early Jan to early Mar, is traditionally the quietest period for transatlantic services.

Alpha Romeo

Makes sense

Diego Tristan

WishUWereHere wrote: »

Not doubting either you, Tricky D or Tenger, but I also heard what Dev1234 heard this morning. Bloody joke when a person representing AE cannot have his facts right.

That was actually Eoghan Corry the travel journalist who said (wrongly) on Morning Ireland that MSP would be the first flight.

HTCOne

So does anyone know for sure what are the first 4 summer A21N routes once the 757s are gone? Because I’ve read in a number of places that MSP is going A332 in March because the LR hasn’t got the legs.

SNN-JFK, SNN-BOS, DUB-BDL for sure.

IAD is A330 in Summer, so is the 4th LR going to launch YUL or will that be LR #5?

tricky D

WishUWereHere wrote: »

Not doubting either you, Tricky D or Tenger, but I also heard what Dev1234 heard this morning. Bloody joke when a person representing AE cannot have his facts right.

I was looking at FR4 as it sat on the runway which clearly stated BDL/Windsor Locks/Hartford and cross checked with the departure boards as I was checking something else out on them.


Even old error prone FR24 gets its facts right more often than avjournos.

WishUWereHere

Diego Tristan wrote: »

That was actually Eoghan Corry the travel journalist who said (wrongly) on Morning Ireland that MSP would be the first flight.

Thanks DT, I would have thought OC would have His facts right too.

But mistakes can and do happen, and I for one am prone.

California Dreamer

My money is on a 3rd JFK flight using a 321 for early departure.

kevinandrew

It's been a surprisingly quiet launch for Aer Lingus, still no official acknowledgement about the aircraft being delivered or entering service, not even a boring press release. 

The video yesterday was released by another source and is now unlisted so only those with direct links can view it, there's been no official video from Airbus like they do for all their other customers and no official images or promotional material online or added to the media centre. 

The airline could learn a thing or two from British Airways in this department, they've had laser light shows, media flights, heavy social media focus and celebrations surrounding their A350 arrival. Granted it's a more impressive/exciting aircraft but still, Aer Lingus hasn't even done the bare minimum. Just seems odd considering they've been building it up for over two years.

Tenger

Diego Tristan wrote: »

That was actually Eoghan Corry the travel journalist who said (wrongly) on Morning Ireland that MSP would be the first flight.

Bad reporting indeed.
I think the original plan was for MSP to get it around now (after 1st in service early July) but the delivery delays messed up EI plans. Could well be wrong in my recall.


I would agree with the lackluster PR blurb. I was expecting videos on their social media of delivery and of the 1st departure. With a follow on '1st flight' video early next week.


Regarding routes; First four A321LR will directly replace B757. So 2 in Shannon.
Then 2 more doing DUB-BDL & -YUL.
Not sure on PHL, but someone found A330 on the seatmap for MSP next summer.
Thats 4 accounted for, with a ? over DUB-PHL.

As above I think an extra DUB-JFK seems like a no brainer (thats 5)

Maybe double daily on a current route next summer, YYZ or IAD? (Thats 6 which frees up an A332 for PHL)

*that post took me 15 mins with pen and paper gaming the options while lookng at the route map online. I need to lie down now.

cson

PHL is showing up as 21N around Xmas time on aerlingus.com

cson

Tenger wrote: »

Maybe double daily on a current route next summer, YYZ or IAD? (Thats 6 which frees up an A332 for PHL)

I would think they'd be better off trying to get a deal off BWI instead of an x2 IAD. As posted a couple of weeks back BA are running a 772 on BWI-LHR at the moment so they'd be able to get an idea of the figures via IAG, the demand would definitely be there in the summer, I've no doubts about it. Its not a sexy destination but its practical, especially from an air frame utilization perspective.

Locker10a

kevinandrew wrote: »

It's been a surprisingly quiet launch for Aer Lingus, still no official acknowledgement about the aircraft being delivered or entering service, not even a boring press release. 

The video yesterday was released by another source and is now unlisted so only those with direct links can view it, there's been no official video from Airbus like they do for all their other customers and no official images or promotional material online or added to the media centre. 

The airline could learn a thing or two from British Airways in this department, they've had laser light shows, media flights, heavy social media focus and celebrations surrounding their A350 arrival. Granted it's a more impressive/exciting aircraft but still, Aer Lingus hasn't even done the bare minimum. Just seems odd considering they've been building it up for over two years.

Do you think it’s possibly related to the recent press the NEO options have got regarding “excessive pitch” ? EI may not want to risk publicising a new aircraft that’s being investigated for this given the MAX pr disaster being experienced by other carriers, obviously the NEO is nowhere near the max regarding this anomaly and I’m not suggesting it is.