Aer Lingus Fleet/Routes Discussion

Van.Bosch

Jamie2k9 wrote: »

Anytime before 30 November is possible. They have not even launched summer 2020 schedule yet.

I suspect there will be something but much quieter than recent years.

If there is nothing, you’d imagine some fanfare about frequency increases etc.

EchoIndia

alancostello wrote: »

This should become more common now in the next few months including taking over PHL. EI-LBR hasn't flown since the 26th, I assume this means it's to be taken out of service per the original schedule and is likely in the process of handover preparations for Oct 31st.

Yes, EI-LBR is leaving as planned.

Tenger

thecutter wrote: »

Looks like its a -300 according to the seating chart, which is surprising

Well thats me put back in my box so!!
Maybe take the rest of my post with a pinch of salt!!!!

Van.Bosch wrote: »

If there is nothing, you’d imagine some fanfare about frequency increases etc.

I had a snoop around the timetable on their website 2 weeks ago.
https://www.aerlingus.com/html/flights-time-table.html

Montreal is not showing on it.
Looks like increase in SEA from 4x weekly to daily.
MIA is going to be 3x weekly rather than the twice this summer.
MSP showing on the A330 from April.
MCO looks to be 6x weekly.
SFO is still showing Daily, but LAX is planned as a -300.

Also the flight numbers are being changed on their West Coast routes. Im guessing they are running out, so decided to focus the 3 digit numbers on the East Coast?

Karl8415

Any update on the 321LR been given the green light for msp due to the distance or will it go straight from the 757 to the 330

California Dreamer

Tenger wrote: »

Looks like increase in SEA from 4x weekly to daily.
MIA is going to be 3x weekly rather than the twice this summer.
MSP showing on the A330 from April.
MCO looks to be 6x weekly.
SFO is still showing Daily, but LAX is planned as a -300.

Who robbed from who and posted this exact same thing on the Dublin Spotters facebook page?:rolleyes:

Jamie2k9

California Dreamer wrote: »

Who robbed from who and posted this exact same thing on the Dublin Spotters facebook page?:rolleyes:

To be fair it was also posted here weeks ago.

California Dreamer

Jamie2k9 wrote: »

To be fair it was also posted here weeks ago.

To be fair the timing was just a bit close

Tenger

California Dreamer wrote: »

Who robbed from who and posted this exact same thing on the Dublin Spotters facebook page?:rolleyes:

That facebook member posts here.
Liiga is the username.

he could have at least changed a few words.

Lets hope I remembered it correctly, I think I did post it 2 weeks ago when I spotted the changes.
Lots of pressure to be correct now!!!!

Bussywussy

Karl8415 wrote: »

Any update on the 321LR been given the green light for msp due to the distance or will it go straight from the 757 to the 330

Heard they're pulling NEO off IAD flights in November because it can't make it and asking pax to reroute via jfk etc

Lapmo_Dancer

Bussywussy wrote: »

Heard they're pulling NEO off IAD flights in November because it can't make it and asking pax to reroute via jfk etc

330 is daily to IAD in November and December so not sure why they’d be asking paxs to reroute. Was discussed here a few weeks ago if you look back.

Lapmo_Dancer

Anyone hear talk of 330 charters to St Lucia? Might make sense with VS dropping it as a destination and the demise of Thomas Cook.

NH2013

Lapmo_Dancer wrote: »

Anyone hear talk of 330 charters to St Lucia? Might make sense with VS dropping it as a destination and the demise of Thomas Cook.

You’re actually the third person I’ve heard mention that but didn’t give it much heed until now as it seemed quite an out there destination for Aer Lingus to serve. Guess there’s no smoke without fire but nothing firm seems to have been published.

I would have thought they would try another North American continental destination next but it could make sense as a winter seasonal market maybe through the winter to pick up slack when the 330 fleet is quite under-utilised, perhaps even more under-utilised in years to come if the NEO takes over more routes during quieter winter months freeing up 330s to travel further afield on winter sun flights.

goingnowhere

Lapmo_Dancer wrote: »

330 is daily to IAD in November and December so not sure why they’d be asking paxs to reroute. Was discussed here a few weeks ago if you look back.

If its EI-GEY....

Lapmo_Dancer

NH2013 wrote: »

You’re actually the third person I’ve heard mention that but didn’t give it much heed until now as it seemed quite an out there destination for Aer Lingus to serve. Guess there’s no smoke without fire but nothing firm seems to have been published.

I would have thought they would try another North American continental destination next but it could make sense as a winter seasonal market maybe through the winter to pick up slack when the 330 fleet is quite under-utilised, perhaps even more under-utilised in years to come if the NEO takes over more routes during quieter winter months freeing up 330s to travel further afield on winter sun flights.

I heard ‘charter’ mentioned and doubt it would be a scheduled service so that would take a lot of the cost and risk out of it. EI wouldn’t have to sell or market the seats.

On the face of it, it seems a sensible utilisation of an A330 in winter similar to the Novair contract a few years ago. Provided they’ve done their sums correctly.

Flesh Gorden

Is the Dynamic Route Map known to throw up a few red herrings?

Or in other words, have they not bothered updating it in the past few years?

https://www.dynamicroutemaps.com/aerlingus-drm-2019/?_ga=2.88325147.1676334359.1572536095-1485287964.1519751660


There's a few odd ones using Cork as an example:

- FCO Rome
- BRU Brussels
- JER Jersey
- LGW Gatwick

None of which are active routes and clicking on them give an 'access denied' 400 error.

Dubrovnik, Newquay and Rennes are missing from that map too, so it looks to be pretty out of date.

kevinandrew

It’s just not been updated, I don’t think anyone really looks at them anymore.

I used to really like exploring the route maps of various airlines but they just went out of fashion, particularly with larger airlines who have complicated codeshare networks, joint ventures, alliance partners and multiple hubs or bases.

Van.Bosch

kevinandrew wrote: »

It’s just not been updated, I don’t think anyone really looks at them anymore.

I used to really like exploring the route maps of various airlines but they just went out of fashion, particularly with larger airlines who have complicated codeshare networks, joint ventures, alliance partners and multiple hubs or bases.

Yeah, I think people use Wikipedia now mainly

Chris_5339762

I bloody wish they were still flying from Cork to Brussels. Bruges can be a right pain to get to from Cork.

Karl8415

I see EI-DEC is on the move in Abu Dhabi heading home via Frankfurt after under going maintenance since October 11th

ohigg84

goingnowhere wrote: »

If its EI-GEY....

EWR seems to flying the route on a daily basis now!

VivaLasBegas

Irish Times reporting Paris (4 per week) and Barcelona (3 per week) from Shannon to be announced tomorrow morning. Sorry can't post the link fully as I'm a new user but if you can manage the 3w's and a . the rest will get you there....

irishtimes.com/business/transport-and-tourism/aer-lingus-to-launch-flights-from-shannon-to-paris-and-barcelona-1.4073539

goingnowhere

Sounds like the A320 currently on the morning LHR is reassigned

The A321neo takes over the first SNN-LHR-SNN

VivaLasBegas

That is indeed the plan. Increased route offering as opposed to leaving the airframe idle. Great to see and I think these will be popular routes. Nice to see EI offer more out of SNN as FR seem to have no ambition to grow there.

goingnowhere

EI will likely run connections from the overnight BOS/JFK to CDG/BCN/LHR which will help to get the numbers up

sherology

If EI can get transfer traffic into JFK/BOS (and maybe promote it/prefer it as a connection for these busy routes), that will help sustain the SNN routes, and in turn, interline agreements with AF, and the every allusive IB (an IAG partner airline), for those departing Ireland.

If Shannon (who complain a lot - I'm a local so don't kill me) could facilitate/promote/pre-package a no-extra-fee (taxes/free attraction admission vouchers) 3-day stopover in 'the Shannon region' as part of that maybe it too would assist in a more practical way to get minded folks to have 2-trips in one at a discount - 'your here anyway type of thing' i.e. Iceland stopovers.

Good destinations but SNN has a bad history of keeping numbers up to sustain non bucket/spade routes. Transfers and interlining will be key here I think. Good to see they're willing to try though. Now... SNN and locals... Stop complaining and start supporting or it'll be bye-bye-birdie yet again. Airlines aren't charities, but they do need support in remoter areas

Tenger

sherology wrote: »

...........
If Shannon (who complain a lot - I'm a local so don't kill me) could facilitate/promote/pre-package a no-extra-fee (taxes/free attraction admission vouchers) 3-day stopover in 'the Shannon region' as part of that maybe it too would assist in a more practical way to get minded folks to have 2-trips in one at a discount - 'your here anyway type of thing' i.e. Iceland stopovers.
.........

Ive always wondering why EI dont offer this option. I remember 6-7 years ago when the then EI CEO was appointed to the board of failte ireland. At the time
I thought such an option was the next step.
If EI got a subsidy of 50-100 for each pax who took the stop option it would be very good return for them. And good for the economy as 2 days would easily mean approx 3-500 spend into Ireland.

goingnowhere

EI's ticketing allows for up to 7 day stopover.

Any such subsidy would have to be made available at Dublin, Cork, Kerry etc, EI is the only connecting airline at Shannon so such a subsidy would be indirect government support as it would benefit a single airline and also would be applicable only to EU carriers.

We live in a free market, the fares are already historically low, if people want to go its there call

MOR316

Wrong thread perhaps but, I paid a deposit on return fligths to JFK yesterday, for next May.
It said I would receive a confirmation email but, I never got one.

Anyone else have this issue before?

cson

goingnowhere wrote: »

EI's ticketing allows for up to 7 day stopover.

Any such subsidy would have to be made available at Dublin, Cork, Kerry etc, EI is the only connecting airline at Shannon so such a subsidy would be indirect government support as it would benefit a single airline and also would be applicable only to EU carriers.

We live in a free market, the fares are already historically low, if people want to go its there call

Booking a stopover is definitely not an intuitive experience on the website. Unless you can do it easily online, as you could with WOW and Icelandair, then folks won't bother calling in to do it - or indeed even be aware its an option.

Idbatterim

These new Shannon flights. Would the aircraft not make more money out of Dublin or elsewhere?

JCX BXC

Idbatterim wrote: »

These new Shannon flights. Would the aircraft not make more money out of Dublin or elsewhere?

It would be impractical to use them elsewhere as they're only available for short periods between the arriving and departing transatlantic flights, once the A321's head off to the US the A320 has to be back in Shannon to operate Heathrow.

sherology

cson wrote: »

Booking a stopover is definitely not an intuitive experience on the website. Unless you can do it easily online, as you could with WOW and Icelandair, then folks won't bother calling in to do it - or indeed even be aware its an option.

That was my thinking EI-wide... Average Joe wouldn't think of it as an offering... If Failte Ireland (is that what they're called) sponsored a 'why not spend some time in Ireland' screen as part of the booking... EI may be able to direct folks to their package holidays and earn commission from F-Ireland for their effort... All routes, not just SNN.

Anywho... Just a thought... Not about fleet so l'll shurrup

Van.Bosch

JCX BXC wrote: »

It would be impractical to use them elsewhere as they're only available for short periods between the arriving and departing transatlantic flights, once the A321's head off to the US the A320 has to be back in Shannon to operate Heathrow.

I suppose the wider (unpopular) question is could the aircraft make more money in Dublin if it was there full-time and you dropped all SNN short haul flying.

JCX BXC

Van.Bosch wrote: »

I suppose the wider (unpopular) question is could the aircraft make more money in Dublin if it was there full-time and you dropped all SNN short haul flying.

Which aircraft exactly, the A320?

In essence, that's a question of whether the Heathrow route is strong enough.

Shn99

Van.Bosch wrote: »

I suppose the wider (unpopular) question is could the aircraft make more money in Dublin if it was there full-time and you dropped all SNN short haul flying.

Aer Lingus wouldnt have the aircraft in SNN if it would.

LXFlyer

Van.Bosch wrote: »

I suppose the wider (unpopular) question is could the aircraft make more money in Dublin if it was there full-time and you dropped all SNN short haul flying.

I think the fact that they re-established the route after abandoning it answers that question.

cson

Van.Bosch wrote: »

I suppose the wider (unpopular) question is could the aircraft make more money in Dublin if it was there full-time and you dropped all SNN short haul flying.

You're looking at it from the prism of O&D traffic ex SNN.

This is absolutely a play to gain share in the North American -> Europe transatlantic market. It's one of the most price sensitive markets in the aviation world and a stopover in SNN on the way to BCN or CDG, if priced right, would be palatable to travelers from North America. I'd hazard the A320s on SNN-BCN/CDG will be ~2/3s transfer traffic.

HTCOne

A condition of the Government selling their shares to IAG was SNN-LHR not be touched for 7 years, so if the aircraft has to be there most of the day anyway, may as well get an extra sector out of it.

Locker10a

HTCOne wrote: »

A condition of the Government selling their shares to IAG was SNN-LHR not be touched for 7 years, so if the aircraft has to be there most of the day anyway, may as well get an extra sector out of it.

They could technically run it on a W pattern, I could be wrong but I think this is how BHD-LHR is operated.
I hope SNN operations continue to be successful and grow and it proves an efficient mini transfer point for JFK/BOS - to UK and Europe

HTCOne

Locker10a wrote: »

They could technically run it on a W pattern, I could be wrong but I think this is how BHD-LHR is operated.
I hope SNN operations continue to be successful and grow and it proves an efficient mini transfer point for JFK/BOS - to UK and Europe

There’s a CC base but no Pilot base in SNN so a W pattern might not make financial sense in having to move CC around on top of Flight Crew. Pilots are bussed / taxied down. Having 3 based aircraft of 2 different types justified a CC base but not Pilots. Now that all 3 based frames will be the same type rating, a pilot base might be justified again. If it’s something pilots want, they should certainly push for it.

cson

Be a lot cheaper to live in Shannon anyway for a pilot.

Jamie2k9

SNN-LHR is a strong performer as are all LHR routes. Another hub carrier at SNN would likely put it under some pressure. Interesting to see what if anything IAG do with slots in future but as LHR expects a new runway the risks have somewhat reduced.

Something more interesting to discuss here soon!

On a side not guess nothing of significant was discussed at Capital Markets Day yesterday relating to EI?

Jack1985

Factual background;

EI Cabin Crew bases - DUB, ORK, SNN and BHD.
EI Flight Deck bases - DUB and ORK.

Belfast City
Crewed using based Cabin Crew (Supplemented by DUB CC via London overnights ex/to-DUB).

Flight Deck operate BHD flights via London overnights ex/to-DUB. There is some ad-hoc positioning by road duties for DUB CC and FD.

Shannon
All flights crewed by based Cabin Crew (Supplemented where required by DUB/ORK* CC via positioning by road duties).

Flight Deck, DUB crew currently operating SNN flights via London overnights ex/to-DUB (including NEO) supplemented by Cork FD (including NEO ops) with overnighting in SNN. There is also some ad-hoc positioning by road.

*Currently to cover A320 services only.

Aviation2K16

Jack1985 wrote: »

Factual background;

EI Cabin Crew bases - DUB, ORK, SNN and BHD.
EI Flight Deck bases - DUB and ORK.

Belfast City
Crewed using based Cabin Crew (Supplemented by DUB CC via London overnights ex/to-DUB).

Flight Deck operate BHD flights via London overnights ex/to-DUB. There is some ad-hoc positioning by road duties for DUB CC and FD.

Shannon
All flights crewed by based Cabin Crew (Supplemented where required by DUB/ORK* CC via positioning by road duties).

Flight Deck, DUB crew currently operating SNN flights via London overnights ex/to-DUB (including NEO) supplemented by Cork FD (including NEO ops) with overnighting in SNN. There is also some ad-hoc positioning by road.

*Currently to cover A320 services only.

The SNN crew will still crew the transatlantic flights? I presume they move over to the A321LR from the 757?

Conor84

cson wrote: »

You're looking at it from the prism of O&D traffic ex SNN.

This is absolutely a play to gain share in the North American -> Europe transatlantic market. It's one of the most price sensitive markets in the aviation world and a stopover in SNN on the way to BCN or CDG, if priced right, would be palatable to travelers from North America. I'd hazard the A320s on SNN-BCN/CDG will be ~2/3s transfer traffic.

Barcelona will be pretty much all local traffic as connections won't work ex USA with 0540 and 0600 arrivals from New York and Boston but Barcelona departs at 6am as this is the overnighting A320 aircraft. Paris departs at 7am so that would work for connections.

I wonder how many connections are made from LHR for the Shannon transatlantic flights when compared to the numbers on these routes via Dublin?

sherology

Locker10a wrote: »

They could technically run it on a W pattern, I could be wrong but I think this is how BHD-LHR is operated.
I hope SNN operations continue to be successful and grow and it proves an efficient mini transfer point for JFK/BOS - to UK and Europe

Me too... No queues for... Well anything... Your next gate is... Over there CBP has no Q... Hope it works... Could be the solidifier SNN needs to make euro-routes viable

kevinandrew

Jamie2k9 wrote: »

On a side not guess nothing of significant was discussed at Capital Markets Day yesterday relating to EI?

Absolutely nothing. It was fairly light on detail for all the airlines outside of their financials but Aer Lingus in particular had little to no mention.

At least BA got a slide to itself on the roll out of its new club seat...

Jack1985

Aviation2K16 wrote: »

The SNN crew will still crew the transatlantic flights? I presume they move over to the A321LR from the 757?

Conversion training has been well under way since July of this year with a new cabin mockup installed in the Aer Lingus Training Academy. To facilitate the retirement process the IAA has allowed Cabin Crew to operate on the A320, A321LR and B757 for a period of 9 months.

Locker10a

Jack1985 wrote: »

Conversion training has been well under way since July of this year with a new cabin mockup installed in the Aer Lingus Training Academy. To facilitate the retirement process the IAA has allowed Cabin Crew to operate on the A320, A321LR and B757 for a period of 9 months.

Are you not allowed 3 types anyway!?
It would make sense to have a pilots base in SNN again now, surely it would cost less than the constant overnighting of pilots and sending them in taxis to/from Dublin

Aviation2K16

Jack1985 wrote: »

Conversion training has been well under way since July of this year with a new cabin mockup installed in the Aer Lingus Training Academy. To facilitate the retirement process the IAA has allowed Cabin Crew to operate on the A320, A321LR and B757 for a period of 9 months.

Thanks for this information. Agree with the above post. It would make sense to have a pilot base in Shannon now since it has 3 Airbus based.