Aer Lingus Fleet/Routes Discussion

Kev11491

EI got a nice little photo op with William and Kate flying over on the A321LR

https://twitter.com/KensingtonRoyal/status/1234840987442307072

vicwatson

Kev11491 wrote: »

EI got a nice little photo op with William and Kate flying over on the A321LR

https://twitter.com/KensingtonRoyal/status/1234840987442307072

Is that EI-LRB or C ? Hardly D?

Noxegon

vicwatson wrote: »

Is that EI-LRB or C ? Hardly D?

It is in fact D — as A, B, and C are not named Finbarr.

vicwatson

Noxegon wrote: »

It is in fact D — as A, B, and C are not named Finbarr.

Ya I knew A wasn’t but wasn’t sure on B or C, so it’s the newest one then.

Thrashssacre

Any short haul European routes that are confirmed to be using wide bodies this summer?

LXFlyer

Thrashssacre wrote: »

Any short haul European routes that are confirmed to be using wide bodies this summer?

Dublin-Faro and Dublin-Malaga

vicwatson

Noxegon wrote: »

It is in fact D — as A, B, and C are not named Finbarr.

Yes it’s first revenue flight

N7777G

Not quite its 1st revenue flight, it operated EI158 out to Heathrow first!

easypazz

Was the plane full of regular punters?

Or were the first few rows sealed off etc. and they board last?

Any details?

sherology

easypazz wrote: »

Was the plane full of regular punters?

Or were the first few rows sealed off etc. and they board last?

Any details?

With the unfamiliar (to most) new uniforms, and nice green dress and coat Kate is wearing, I hope nobody asked her for a toastie and coffee if she walked the cabin

LXFlyer

easypazz wrote: »

Was the plane full of regular punters?

Or were the first few rows sealed off etc. and they board last?

Any details?

It was the regular EI159 from LHR, operated today by EI-LRD, an A321 (brand new) in place of the normal A320.

Kev11491

easypazz wrote: »

Was the plane full of regular punters?

Or were the first few rows sealed off etc. and they board last?

Any details?

Business booked out I think, regular punters down the back

alancostello

kevinandrew wrote: »

Seriously?

Aer Lingus has pretty much doubled its capacity across the atlantic in around five years, it's easily been one the fastest growing and profitable (unlike some) airlines in the market.

Since 2015;

Hartford
Los Angeles
Newark
Seattle
Miami
Minneapolis
Washington

Since 2014;

Toronto
San Francisco

This summer is actually the first time since 2014 that there hasn't been a new city announced but there has been an additional capacity boost across the network, this summer the airline will have 2million seats available across the Atlantic.

Willie Walsh's comments are about the decade ahead and beyond, and he's right. As Heathrow cripples, Dublin and Aer Lingus have an opportunity to grow.

You can look forward to JetBlue arriving, they'll be a great addition just don't expect them to be bringing anything new to the table, it'll be the same old east cost routes with similar fares and a similar service level.

An important thing to remember is that boosting frequencies on existing routes to double (or triple) daily where the market supports it is incredibly wise both financially and operationally, even if not particularly exciting. Beyond maximising profits it's significantly easier to sustain built-up routes like this in the off-season. Instead of curtailing an otherwise daily route to 3 or 4 times a week they can skim down from double (or triple) to single (or double), and aircraft can go for major maintenance without EI having to go sub-daily on routes and have passengers go elsewhere.

The A321LR and A321XLR will further facilitate this, JFK and ORD are prime candidates for a third daily frequency, perhaps even daytime, and not having to make the full step to another A330 is a great way to test the waters (and allows them to scale back to double-A330 or A330/A321 in the off season).

Talk of fleet renewal and mentions of A350s are, realistically, pointless at this stage. A330s and A321s are the future of EI's fleet for at least the next 5-10 years, as the airline grows increases in frequency to existing routes will be key, particularly as LHR can't grow further and demand is funnelled through DUB.

deconduo

Not sure if EI are watching this thread :pac:, but the announcement on my flight today was all earphones - headsets and earbuds - must be out for taxi/take off/landing.

sherology

deconduo wrote: »

Not sure if EI are watching this thread :pac:, but the announcement on my flight today was all earphones - headsets and earbuds - must be out for taxi/take off/landing.

Oh god... Please no more about headphones!!! My little brain isn't able.

sdanseo

Anyone know when LBS and EWR are finishing up?
EIN, EIM, EIK - all in service by start of summer schedule?
DUO, DAA, LAX all staying in service for this summer?

Trying to figure out how many TA aircraft will be in the air at once here. Record was 17. By my reckoning with LBS and EWR both gone, whould be 19 now on the busiest days? Or are they keeping an airframe in reserve?
Or will EWR/LBS continue to fly for the summer making 21?

alancostello

sdanseo wrote: »

Anyone know when LBS and EWR are finishing up?
EIN, EIM, EIK - all in service by start of summer schedule?
DUO, DAA, LAX all staying in service for this summer?

Trying to figure out how many TA aircraft will be in the air at once here. Record was 17. By my reckoning with LBS and EWR both gone, whould be 19 now on the busiest days? Or are they keeping an airframe in reserve?
Or will EWR/LBS continue to fly for the summer making 21?

LBS has been gone since November, you’re thinking of CJX. Which as mentioned a few posts ago leaves 30/4. 19 sounds right if there are no further retirements beyond EWR.

MJohnston

deconduo wrote: »

Not sure if EI are watching this thread :pac:, but the announcement on my flight today was all earphones - headsets and earbuds - must be out for taxi/take off/landing.

And they say communism doesn't work! Equality for all.

Tenger

sdanseo wrote: »

Anyone know when LBS and EWR are finishing up?
............

Trying to figure out how many TA aircraft will be in the air at once here. Record was 17......

LRA, LRB, LRC, LRD,
LAX, DAA, DUO, GEY
DUZ, EAV, EDY, ELA,
FNG, FNH, GAJ, GCF,
EIM, EIN,

Thats 18 airframes noted above. There is another A330 to be included.
? over when EIK enters service and replaces EWR.
? is when will CJZ leave, expectation is the end of April as MSP is upguaged to A330 from May 1/2.
Maybe it will line up nicely, EIN replaces an A332 on LAX route, allows that -200 to cover MSP route, which allows CJX and EWR to retire around the same time?

The ongoing situation may change EI planning, but Im not sure that they can change imminent leases or deliveries at short notice. Deferring the sencond tranche of A321LRs looks like a lucky move.

Hotblack Desiato

MJohnston wrote: »

And they say communism doesn't work! Equality for all.

Except for the apparatchiks up the front, of course!

MJohnston

Hotblack Desiato wrote: »

Except for the apparatchiks up the front, of course!

Four legs good, two legs better, comrade.

ohigg84

Tenger wrote: »

LRA, LRB, LRC, LRD,
LAX, DAA, DUO, GEY
DUZ, EAV, EDY, ELA,
FNG, FNH, GAJ, GCF,
EIM, EIN,

Thats 18 airframes noted above. There is another A330 to be included.
? over when EIK enters service and replaces EWR.
? is when will CJZ leave, expectation is the end of April as MSP is upguaged to A330 from May 1/2.
Maybe it will line up nicely, EIN replaces an A332 on LAX route, allows that -200 to cover MSP route, which allows CJX and EWR to retire around the same time?

The ongoing situation may change EI planning, but Im not sure that they can change imminent leases or deliveries at short notice. Deferring the sencond tranche of A321LRs looks like a lucky move.

I thought that the new A330s plus the ex-Qatar A333 were merely for increased frequencies as opposed to expansion.


Surely it is impractical for EI to dispose of EWR considering the lease finance must be low given the aircraft's age. At this stage EI, could own the aircraft outright like LAX!



EWR is also impeccably maintained, like all the other 330s in the EI fleet, even if it is 20, it could fly for a few more years.


I do understand that the LAX and SEA routes are going daily, and that the A333 will go to LAX ops. (Only GAJ/GCF/EIM/EIN).

Locker10a

If it’s of interest to anyone, EI-GHK which was on lease to Flybe is back in Dublin and operating Aer Lingus Regional flights this morning. It’s the first time Stobart have deployed jets on EIR routes.

Van.Bosch

Locker10a wrote: »

If it’s of interest to anyone, EI-GHK which was on lease to Flybe is back in Dublin and operating Aer Lingus Regional flights this morning. It’s the first time Stobart have deployed jets on EIR routes.

Very interesting - you’d hope EI we’re quick to use any spare aircraft and fill some gaps left by Flybe.

IngazZagni

Is there not a union agreement that doesn’t allow jets to be used for the Aer Lingus Regional brand with Stobart contracts? Or perhaps it only allows a very small number of flights.

Locker10a

IngazZagni wrote: »

Is there not a union agreement that doesn’t allow jets to be used for the Aer Lingus Regional brand with Stobart contracts? Or perhaps it only allows a very small number of flights.

I don’t think it’s going to be a long term thing... yet

California Dreamer

IngazZagni wrote: »

Is there not a union agreement that doesn’t allow jets to be used for the Aer Lingus Regional brand with Stobart contracts? Or perhaps it only allows a very small number of flights.

I am sure the STK crews are happy to be working as opposed to sitting at home not getting paid like their IOM brethern!

Lapmo_Dancer

You’re saying Stobart have unilaterally stopped paying their crews in the IOM? I wasn’t aware that Stobart was a flight-pay only operation, I assumed they had salaries with yearly pay scales.

Locker10a

Lapmo_Dancer wrote: »

You’re saying Stobart have unilaterally stopped paying their crews in the IOM? I wasn’t aware that Stobart was a flight-pay only operation, I assumed they had salaries with yearly pay scales.

All stobart employees earn a salary and then duty allowance on top of that

Deatr

IngazZagni wrote: »

Is there not a union agreement that doesn’t allow jets to be used for the Aer Lingus Regional brand with Stobart contracts? Or perhaps it only allows a very small number of flights.

Nothing to do with jet or turboprop it’s to do with number of seats, nothing over 100 afaik!.