Aer Lingus Fleet/Routes Discussion

EI321

kevinandrew wrote: »

EI-EIM, the newest A330, is currently awake in Brussels. It’s appeared on FlightRadar24 but with no callsign at the moment.

Preparing to move?

Its being flown to Malta to have seats fitted. Interested to know if they will be the same as the A321neos.

vicwatson

Gone off FR now

kevinandrew

Possibly just warming it up, ready for its move in a day or two?

sherology

Aviation2K16 wrote: »

Does anyone know when EI-LRD will arrive? SNN-JFK resumes on the 13/02 so the 2nd A321LR will be needed in SNN.

Sean Doyle (CEO) said February in an article last week complaining about how he late deliveries were affecting their expansion plans.

kevinandrew

EI321 wrote: »

Its being flown to Malta to have seats fitted. Interested to know if they will be the same as the A321neos.

Been told they will have the same colour scheme but doubt they’ll have the same seats because the A321neo is fitted with a variation of Collins Aerospace ‘Pinnacle’ seat which is marketed as a narrow body product.

I’d guess the A330 will continue with the newer Recaro seat which is found on the latest A333s and other IAG carriers like Iberia’s A330/A350s and British Airways’ A350s.

Aviation2K16

sherology wrote: »

Sean Doyle (CEO) said February in an article last week complaining about how he late deliveries were affecting their expansion plans.

I just read that now. Thanks.

Tenger

Regarding the next 2 A333s. Quoted elsewhere that the Business class seats will get fitted while in Malta.

BonnieSituation wrote: »

Can anyone tell me why the tail has just "VK" or "VN" etc when the full reg is "DVK/DVN"?

In addition the aircraft are usually referred to by staff by the last 2 letters, as in Alpha XRay, Victor India, PapaGolf, etc.


On an aside CPD was always nicknamed PapaDrop.
The old 146s had nicknames in a similar vein;
Can't Leave Hanger
Can't Leave Ground
Can't Leave Ireland

Cloudio9

Tenger wrote: »

The old 146s had nicknames in a similar vein;
Can't Leave Hanger
Can't Leave Ground
Can't Leave Ireland

Bring Another Engine

L1011

Two of the first gen ATRs stobart had picked up similar theme nicknames here - BYO and CBK. Bring Your Own (replacement coach transfer, or similar) and many variations of Bolloxed and Knackered

rivegauche

https://www.aviation24.be/maintenance-repair-overhaul-mro/sabena-technics/a-brand-new-maintenance-hangar-and-a-confirmed-strategy-for-sabena-technics/

I can't read the identifier on that plane but it is an Aer Lingus plane in the old livery at an MRO in Bordeaux.
Is this a major check which can't be carried out somewhere more local?

kevinandrew

rivegauche wrote: »

https://www.aviation24.be/maintenance-repair-overhaul-mro/sabena-technics/a-brand-new-maintenance-hangar-and-a-confirmed-strategy-for-sabena-technics/

I can't read the identifier on that plane but it is an Aer Lingus plane in the old livery at an MRO in Bordeaux.
Is this a major check which can't be carried out somewhere more local?

Aer Lingus has been sending aircraft for maintenance in Bordeaux for quite a few years now, probably over a decade. They also use Etihad’s Abu Dhabi facilities as well as facilities in Dublin. Cost and availability are likely the biggest factors.

The aircraft in question is EI-DAA, it was the first aircraft to enter Sabena Technics new hanger.

rivegauche

19 year old plane.

Jack1985

rivegauche wrote: »

19 year old plane.

Ryanair have 737's dating back to Jan 2003 operating at a minimum nearly 6 sectors per day with much higher cycles.

Once aircraft are maintained well they have plenty of years to give.

Noxegon

rivegauche wrote: »

19 year old plane.

Not all that old.From my DB I can tell you that I flew on P-885 and age 32.4, PH-BFC at 26.3, and EI-CJX at 23.2.

P-885 is probably not a good reference point for aircraft age – but I've also been on N152DL which is 29.3 and still flying.

0lddog

rivegauche wrote: »

19 year old plane.

Only a teenager !

Long time 'friend of the forum' EI-STA is in her twenties

( https://flyinginireland.com/aircraft.php?Registration=EI-STA )

Anyone know if ASL sold here or is the re-reg on foot of some leasing arrangement ?

California Dreamer

Went to Klas Jet

Karl8415

Just browsing though the Internet and they have her down as in storage, where ever that is

kevinandrew

EI-DAA returned from maintenance in Bordeaux this evening, after exactly a month away.

smurfjed

Heard a EIN callsign in Saudi Airspace last night, heading to/from maintenance I believe.

Tenger

smurfjed wrote: »

Heard a EIN callsign in Saudi Airspace last night, heading to/from maintenance I believe.

3 of them planned yo go down to Abu Dhabi this year for MX.
A mate was flight crew on a ferry flight last year. Said he got "are you lost?" over the RT from BA crew!!!

EchoIndia

smurfjed wrote: »

Heard a EIN callsign in Saudi Airspace last night, heading to/from maintenance I believe.

A333 EI-EAV Dublin-Abu Dhabi.

smurfjed

the poor controllers stuck with Echo India November rather than Shamrock or Lingus, but I was quite surprised when I heard it as he was given a frequency change.

I will miss eavesdropping on other aircraft when CPDLC is introduced this summer.

Cloudio9

smurfjed wrote: »

the poor controllers stuck with Echo India November rather than Shamrock or Lingus, but I was quite surprised when I heard it as he was given a frequency change.

I will miss eavesdropping on other aircraft when CPDLC is introduced this summer.

Do the crew not identify themselves as shamrock ?

GM228

Cloudio9 wrote: »

Do the crew not identify themselves as shamrock ?

+1, I would have thought the ICAO telephony designator would be used, though they are not mandatory.

smurfjed

No idea, I only checked in on that frequency as they were assigned a different frequency, so only heard one call.

Tenger

Cloudio9 wrote: »

Do the crew not identify themselves as shamrock ?

Shamrock is the normal call sign, but at times (not 100% and going on old memory) they use the full designator when entering new ATC region.

HTCOne

smurfjed wrote: »

I will miss eavesdropping on other aircraft when CPDLC is introduced this summer.

When it works....

smurfjed

When it works....

LOL, around here it will make a lot of sense as it will avoid “punctuation errors” and spelling of “waypoints”.

Shamrock is the normal call sign, but at times (not 100% and going on old memory) they use the full designator when entering new ATC region.

We do the same, enter new airspace and call the 3 letter callsign, if the controller knows the airline name and responds with that, we will stick with the name.

Karl8415

Just looking at EI- DAA inbound from lax it's over Greenland at its flying at 29,000 ft, I've never seen them that low considering their still approximately 3 hrs from Dublin and there doesn't seem to be anything nearby that impead him from climbing

Dardania

Karl8415 wrote: »

Just looking at EI- DAA inbound from lax it's over Greenland at its flying at 29,000 ft, I've never seen them that low considering their still approximately 3 hrs from Dublin and there doesn't seem to be anything nearby that impead him from climbing

Looks like all of the westbound flights there are at 310 and above, so maybe they need to go below?:

https://flightplandatabase.com/nav/NATS

EchoIndia

Karl8415 wrote: »

Just looking at EI- DAA inbound from lax it's over Greenland at its flying at 29,000 ft, I've never seen them that low considering their still approximately 3 hrs from Dublin and there doesn't seem to be anything nearby that impead him from climbing

It was at FL370 over Canada and descended for the oceanic portion.
https://flightaware.com/live/flight/EIN144/history/20200208/0425Z/KLAX/EIDW/tracklog

trellheim

that not mess with fuel burn or were the jet streams down low ?

smurfjed

I’m guessing, but the possibility exists that he doesn’t have the required equipment working to allow him enter the NAT-HLA airspace or RVSM airspace.

kevinandrew

No doubt the rough weather over the Atlantic this week has caused a few irregularities. The EI141 to Miami yesterday took one of the most southerly routes I’ve ever seen it do.

Currently Runway 16 is in use at Dublin, both A321LR‘s departed off it on their way to Newark and Hartford.

cson

Dardania wrote: »

Looks like all of the westbound flights there are at 310 and above, so maybe they need to go below?:

https://flightplandatabase.com/nav/NATS

There's a massive jetstream over the North Atlantic right now; I imagine its schedule management - I think the ground speed would be supersonic equivalent up there at the moment.

https://twitter.com/capitalweather/status/1225505967623802880

sherology

Dardania wrote: »

Looks like all of the westbound flights there are at 310 and above, so maybe they need to go below?:

https://flightplandatabase.com/nav/NATS

Jet stream is super fast tonight so may be due to various less-insane headwinds at those attitudes.

Keep an eye on return times tonight... Throttle down and ride the winds.

*Inbound... Sorry misread your initial post.

Aviation2K16

The return times were faster than normal last night. EI-LRC operated BOS-SNN in 4hr 40 mins. Other Inbound flights got back to DUB a lot faster than normal as well.

trellheim

Its money in the bank tho if you stay up high surely and fly for a shorter period,

Comhrá

Jet stream is super fast tonight so may be due to various less-insane headwinds at those attitudes.

Keep an eye on return times tonight... Throttle down and ride the winds.

*Inbound... Sorry misread your initial post.

A glance at the N.Atlantic on FR24 gives an idea of the strength of the jetstream.

Aviation2K16

Has EI-LRD had any test flights or anything yet? 1 of the A321LR seems to be split between SNN / DUB for the next 3 weeks until it arrives.

kevinandrew

Aviation2K16 wrote: »

Has EI-LRD had any test flights or anything yet? 1 of the A321LR seems to be split between SNN / DUB for the next 3 weeks until it arrives.

No flights yet. It was spotted in XFW last week and looked like it was being moved to the flight line. Once the first flight is completed, delivery follows very quickly, usually within a week.

Karl8415

Just been watching the 104 Ei-ELA and its definitely been pushed home tonight, currently at 650kts,he also seems to be taking a more direct route instead of hugging the coast for the first portion as they normally do.

HTCOne

trellheim wrote: »

Its money in the bank tho if you stay up high surely and fly for a shorter period,

Turbulence can be a factor. A strong jet stream normally means severe clear air turbulence (CAT) around the edges. It isn't uncommon for an aircraft to suddenly "fall out" of the jet stream as it veers and people on board to be injured.

ekellyie

Hi all,

https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/business/aer-lingus-to-curtail-short-haul-expansion-961064.html

I noticed this year a change in EI's schedule to Alicante, during high season, they're operating every second day and only from May-Sept. Last year, they operated from the end of March to October and every day during high season. Is this a result of them curtailing their short haul expansion as shown in the linked article?

I only ask as I'd use this route in slightly low season like April or October.

kevinandrew

EI-EIN had its first flight today. Currently out over the Bay of Biscay.

https://aibfamily.flights/A330/1951

Locker10a

ekellyie wrote: »

Hi all,

https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/business/aer-lingus-to-curtail-short-haul-expansion-961064.html

I noticed this year a change in EI's schedule to Alicante, during high season, they're operating every second day and only from May-Sept. Last year, they operated from the end of March to October and every day during high season. Is this a result of them curtailing their short haul expansion as shown in the linked article?

I only ask as I'd use this route in slightly low season like April or October.

Got to say I’m very surprised by this! Normally these bucket and spade type routes are a real winner for EI in summer

kevinandrew

ekellyie wrote: »

Hi all,

https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/business/aer-lingus-to-curtail-short-haul-expansion-961064.html

I noticed this year a change in EI's schedule to Alicante, during high season, they're operating every second day and only from May-Sept. Last year, they operated from the end of March to October and every day during high season. Is this a result of them curtailing their short haul expansion as shown in the linked article?

I only ask as I'd use this route in slightly low season like April or October.

It's operating at six weekly for peak summer (JUN, JUL, AUG) and five weekly either side (MAY, SEP) and it runs from 18 March to 30 September.

Wouldn't pay much attention to that article, the headline is entirely misleading as noted in the very first line when it states Aer Lingus owner IAG was curtailing short haul growth, not Aer Lingus specifically. It also fails to detail any specific Aer Lingus route reductions, largely because there are none that are out of the ordinary.

Considering Aer Lingus is adding SNN-CDG/BCN and DUB-BDS/AHO/RHO this summer, I'd say they've comfortably grown on short haul. Some routes, particularly seasonal ones, will always see adjustments year on year.

Locker10a

kevinandrew wrote: »

It's operating at six weekly for peak summer (JUN, JUL, AUG) and five weekly either side (MAY, SEP) and it runs from 18 March to 30 September.

Wouldn't pay much attention to that article, the headline is entirely misleading as noted in the very first line when it states Aer Lingus owner IAG was curtailing short haul growth, not Aer Lingus specifically. It also fails to detail any specific Aer Lingus route reductions, largely because there are none that are out of the ordinary.

Considering Aer Lingus is adding SNN-CDG/BCN and DUB-BDS/AHO/RHO this summer, I'd say they've comfortably grown on short haul. Some routes, particularly seasonal ones, will always see adjustments year on year.

Fair point but given they’ve pull out of the Belfast sun routes I’d have thought if anything they’d be adding capacity for Dublin to same

sherology

kevinandrew wrote: »

It's operating at six weekly for peak summer (JUN, JUL, AUG) and five weekly either side (MAY, SEP) and it runs from 18 March to 30 September.

Wouldn't pay much attention to that article, the headline is entirely misleading as noted in the very first line when it states Aer Lingus owner IAG was curtailing short haul growth, not Aer Lingus specifically. It also fails to detail any specific Aer Lingus route reductions, largely because there are none that are out of the ordinary.

Considering Aer Lingus is adding SNN-CDG/BCN and DUB-BDS/AHO/RHO this summer, I'd say they've comfortably grown on short haul. Some routes, particularly seasonal ones, will always see adjustments year on year.

Trying to book next winters Gran Canaria flights (bike a lot there) and the summer scheduled flights are showing. Any idea when they load the 'real' winter schedule (Tues/Thurs/Sat)? Don't want to book and have my dates moved by EI when they update the real schedule. Ended up with extra hotel bill last time.

kevinandrew

Locker10a wrote: »

Fair point but given they’ve pull out of the Belfast sun routes I’d have thought if anything they’d be adding capacity for Dublin to same

You would have thought so but additional capacity elsewhere may have been more lucrative.

We've seen Rhodes, Brindisi and Alghero added from Dublin and Paris and Barcelona added from Shannon for next summer, the latter thanks to the A321LR morning operation to LHR freeing up an A320.

sherology wrote: »

Trying to book next winters Gran Canaria flights (bike a lot there) and the summer scheduled flights are showing. Any idea when they load the 'real' winter schedule (Tues/Thurs/Sat)? Don't want to book and have my dates moved by EI when they update the real schedule. Ended up with extra hotel bill last time.

No idea of the exact date but it's usually before Easter. Most airlines appear to be getting later and later with their schedule announcements as the market becomes increasingly seasonal.