Aer Lingus Fleet/Routes Discussion

Comhrá

0lddog wrote: »

Mr O'Leary has a 737-700 that can be fitted out nice ?

The Vatican couldn't take the risk......it could be running three hrs. late or even inexplicably cancelled at short notice.

0lddog

Comhra wrote: »

The Vatican couldn't take the risk......it could be running three hrs. late or even inexplicably cancelled at short notice.

Just like home for the Argentinian

Bussywussy

Would be some waste of an A330

L1011

goingnowhere wrote: »

You want to fly a head of state in an all Y A320?

Our own has no issues doing so.

marno21

L1011 wrote: »

Our own has no issues doing so.

Different kettle of fish when it comes to legroom with our head of state though

Locker10a

NewApproach wrote: »

goingnowhere wrote: »

I'd bet on EI-FNG, St Laurence O'Toole, suitably Irish and a new frame in vastly better shape compared to some of the older frames

What does he need a widebody for?

I’d have thought a big part of it would be flying him on the St. Patrick

kona

Bussywussy wrote: »

Would be some waste of an A330

Be a waste of a 320 too. Stick him in the iolar.

Locker10a

kona wrote: »

Bussywussy wrote: »

Would be some waste of an A330

Be a waste of a 320 too. Stick him in the iolar.

It’s probably worth the cost of fuel in publicity and air time when their huge green a330 is showed live on tv as probably a million or two people watch the event

Tenger

Locker10a wrote: »

It’s probably worth the cost of fuel in publicity and air time when their huge green a330 is showed live on tv as probably a million or two people watch the event

Absolutely. EI would be fools not to milk the opportunity for its media impact.
However lets hop they don't have 'overbooking' issues like happened with the charter flight for the rugby final in Bilbao!!!!

Pat Dunne wrote: »

The last time the Vatican Head of State visited Ireland in 1979. He made the then unprecedented move of flying with Aer Lingus (747-148, EI-ASI, St Patrick), from Rome to Dublin and onward from Shannon to New York, having previously travelled exclusively with Alitalia.
.......

My memory of "Flight of the Iolar" may be off but I believe that they had a back-up B747 renamed "St.Patrick" in case -ASI had tech issues.


As for the suggestion about EI-FNG, there have been 3 new A333 deliveries since it arrived. All with suitably Irish names. Although Larry O'Toole is the patron saint of Dublin so not a bad choice.




Ninja Edit: looked up the other names on airframes.org! Larry is actually FNH!
FNG = Colmcille (a Prince of Ulster & descendant of Niall of the 9 Hostage)
GAJ = Carthage (abbot of Lismore)
GCF = Aongus (9th century bishop from Talaght)

Laurence O'Toole; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lorc%C3%A1n_Ua_Tuathail
Colmcille; http://www.monasticireland.com/storiesofsaints/colmcille.htm
Catharge; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mo_Chutu_of_Lismore
Aongus; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%93engus_of_Tallaght

HTCOne

I think it was a 707 on standby in Rome in case the 747 went tech in ‘79

Jamie2k9

I wouldn't expect EI will be flying him from Rome, they would have to cancel 3-4 T/A flights. Preparations would have been known by now and flights removed to make way. The B752 to NOC is most logical, could NOC even handle an A330 on the apron?, fire cover etc

marno21

Jamie2k9 wrote: »

I wouldn't expect EI will be flying him from Rome, they would have to cancel 3-4 T/A flights. Preparations would have been known by now and flights removed to make way. The B752 to NOC is most logical, could NOC even handle an A330 on the apron?, fire cover etc

Knock has handled 747s in the past hasn't it? Should have no issue with an A330 although perhaps there may be an issue were 3 FR 738s to arrive at the same time.

Jamie2k9

marno21 wrote: »

Knock has handled 747s in the past hasn't it? Should have no issue with an A330 although perhaps there may be an issue were 3 FR 738s to arrive at the same time.

In the past I know but its been quiet a while since any wide-bodies have been to the airport. Never been there so not really sure how its set up.

rushfan

I was in the Phoenix Park in '79 when JP2 flew over. It was quite a moment ( albeit when one is an impressionable teen as opposed to an impressionable adult) when the 747 accompanied by Aer Corps aircraft did a flyover prior to landing in Dublin.

Bussywussy

Locker10a wrote: »

It’s probably worth the cost of fuel in publicity and air time when their huge green a330 is showed live on tv as probably a million or two people watch the event

Actually that's true...theyll probably get staff to "volunteer" their time too for free to cut costs further.

Neworder79

marno21 wrote: »

Knock has handled 747s in the past hasn't it? Should have no issue with an A330 although perhaps there may be an issue were 3 FR 738s to arrive at the same time.

Last was 2003, but major runway, turnpad and ILS upgrades since then and fire cover is now Cat 9, so 'technically' no issue bar stand space an airline SOP limits.

Jamie2k9 wrote:

Never been there so not really sure how its set up.

They normally operate 3 Cat-C stands on Alpha, 1R/2L can accommodate Cat D 757/767 charters. Cat E A332 may cause some operational issues but looks like it is only on the ground for 2 hours Sunday morning with a couple of FR and one BE arrivals scheduled.

I'd say 757 if available having operated recent EI transatlantic charters from NOC.

Bravo apron is usually used for VIPs/quick access... G8 summit 763 and Vice President C-17 visit and last year.

Captain_Crash

Tenger wrote: »

However lets hop they don't have 'overbooking' issues like happened with the charter flight for the rugby final in Bilbao!!!

Don't want to be pedantic, but this was because of an aircraft swap and not overbooking. Due to tech issues they had to use an A332 that has a crew rest, meaning 5 less seats.

Chris_5339762

Captain_Crash wrote: »

Don't want to be pedantic, but this was because of an aircraft swap and not overbooking. Due to tech issues they had to use an A332 that has a crew rest, meaning 5 less seats.

...and AFAIK a family who didn't have match tickets anyway decided not to travel and their €800 flight tickets were refunded along with €250 EU261 compensation each and possibly some more goodies so they were actually really happy with the whole thing! Nice little nixer.

Tenger

Captain_Crash wrote: »

Don't want to be pedantic, but this was because of an aircraft swap and not overbooking. Due to tech issues they had to use an A332 that has a crew rest, meaning 5 less seats.

Funny, but EI stated it was due to the Italian ATC leaving an aircraft out of position.

Bussywussy

Tenger wrote: »

Funny, but EI stated it was due to the Italian ATC leaving an aircraft out of position.

The same aircraft operated as was planned...people in the offices missed where the aircraft was a different config as it was new to the fleet and doesnt have a crew rest

Captain_Crash

Bussywussy wrote: »

The same aircraft operated as was planned...people in the offices missed where the aircraft was a different config as it was new to the fleet and doesnt have a crew rest

I heard it was a different aircraft than planned, (I presumed tech but maybe it was ATC as mentioned by another poster). Although I think were in agreement it wasn't overbooking that caused it.

If it was an office issue like you said, then it was a schoolboy error that really shouldn't happen at a large airline.

kevinandrew

I seem to remember there was transatlantic disruption the pervious day, bird strike or hare on the runway I think which caused a few headaches and resulted in an A330 out of position which led to EI-GEY, with its slightly lower seat count standing in for the rugby charter.

Bussywussy

kevinandrew wrote: »

I seem to remember there was transatlantic disruption the pervious day, bird strike or hare on the runway I think which caused a few headaches and resulted in an A330 out of position which led to EI-GEY, with its slightly lower seat count standing in for the rugby charter.

GEY was always planned for it..no aircraft was out of position due to hare strike...only a Malaga trip was lost for that

Locker10a

Bussywussy wrote: »

kevinandrew wrote: »

I seem to remember there was transatlantic disruption the pervious day, bird strike or hare on the runway I think which caused a few headaches and resulted in an A330 out of position which led to EI-GEY, with its slightly lower seat count standing in for the rugby charter.

GEY was always planned for it..no aircraft was out of position due to hare strike...only a Malaga trip was lost for that

So, how many different a330 configurations are there now? And how can the booking engine deal with it all? Surely specific reg’s would have to be assigned to particular routes,for instances of guests booking specific seats etc, how can they guarantee exit row or bassinet seats for example ?

Jamie2k9

Locker10a wrote: »

So, how many different a330 configurations are there now? And how can the booking engine deal with it all? Surely specific reg’s would have to be assigned to particular routes,for instances of guests booking specific seats etc, how can they guarantee exit row or bassinet seats for example ?

5, bookings are capped until closer to departure. Its also rare to have 100% full Y load accross all routes so changes are easy to adjust. BIO mess was total in competence, no excuses.

joeysoap

I thought AL stated that because of an industrial dispute in Italy the day previously aircraft were ‘out of position’

Bussywussy

joeysoap wrote: »

I thought AL stated that because of an industrial dispute in Italy the day previously aircraft were ‘out of position’

They did but it wasn't true unless they also planned to operate an A320/1 down

Jamie2k9

joeysoap wrote: »

I thought AL stated that because of an industrial dispute in Italy the day previously aircraft were ‘out of position’

They could hardly say they screwed up, the excuse used makes the best out of a bad PR situation.

Bussywussy

2 A330s coming next year I heard from 2 sources,one said ex Qatar one said brand new :-)

duskyjoe

Where will they park them? Even now heavy stand availability is at an absolute premium during peak hours at Dub Therein lies the question- will they be based elsewhere outside of the republic ?

john boye

Bussywussy wrote: »

2 A330s coming next year I heard from 2 sources,one said ex Qatar one said brand new :-)

Just out of interest, how long are Airbus likely to continue to produce the A330 CEO once the NEO is fully in production? Just until all outstanding orders are fulfilled?

Bussywussy

duskyjoe wrote: »

Where will they park them? Even now heavy stand availability is at an absolute premium during peak hours at Dub Therein lies the question- will they be based elsewhere outside of the republic ?

Ha I know...which makes the rumour less believable...unless later departure or early departure times

Jamie2k9

Bussywussy wrote: »

2 A330s coming next year I heard from 2 sources,one said ex Qatar one said brand new :-)

I suspect new, I can't see EI wanting to build up a fleet of A332 when operating 300s is better commercially. That is if QR are not phasing out A333.

Surely there will be possibly be replacements, EWR lease ending?

Bussywussy

Jamie2k9 wrote: »

Bussywussy wrote: »

2 A330s coming next year I heard from 2 sources,one said ex Qatar one said brand new :-)

I suspect new, I can't see EI wanting to build up a fleet of A332 when operating 300s is better commercially. That is if QR are not phasing out A333.

Surely there will be possibly be replacements, EWR lease ending?

One is due to be a replacement...1 new and 1 used might make sense

Tenger

Jamie2k9 wrote: »

I suspect new, I can't see EI wanting to build up a fleet of A332 when operating 300s is better commercially. That is if QR are not phasing out A333?

Perhaps EI might get a good deal on the lease of older A330s. Quite a few are phasing out their A330ceo’s for A350s or A330NEO’s.

Arciphel

Is there any way to see what plane is going to be covering a route on a certain day? Trying to see what aircraft is flying to SFO on Sunday ;-)

HTCOne

Tenger wrote: »

Perhaps EI might get a good deal on the lease of older A330s. Quite a few are phasing out their A330ceo’s for A350s or A330NEO’s.

The QR A333s are all older lower MTOW versions AFAIK, so not capable of West Coast or potential routes to Texas or DEN I’d guess.

On a side note I heard that VIM A332 was supposed to be taken on lease by EI but after the engineers got a good look at it they recommended against taking it on.

Jamie2k9

Arciphel wrote: »

Is there any way to see what plane is going to be covering a route on a certain day? Trying to see what aircraft is flying to SFO on Sunday ;-)

Sunday should be an A333 and there is only 2 that can run it (GAJ or GCF)

goingnowhere

Technically 4 can make the run, but only 2 have the crew rest

Arciphel

Jamie2k9 wrote: »

Sunday should be an A333 and there is only 2 that can run it (GAJ or GCF)

Cool, I've been on GAJ before but never GCF

Bussywussy

goingnowhere wrote: »

Technically 4 can make the run, but only 2 have the crew rest

All the 300s can do it and have done before but generally are weight restricted and no crew rest.

Bussywussy

goingnowhere wrote: »

Technically 4 can make the run, but only 2 have the crew rest

All the 300s can do it and have done before but generally are weight restricted and no crew rest so not really viable..

goingnowhere

The latest 4 are not weight restricted but only 2 have crew rest

EI-EWR can make it to LAX/SFO with ease but has no crew rest

flange888

@Jaimie2K9 pm'd you

Bussywussy

goingnowhere wrote: »

The latest 4 are not weight restricted but only 2 have crew rest

EI-EWR can make it to LAX/SFO with ease but has no crew rest

Correct, FNH/FNG are demodified from 242T to 233T machines and also the structure is able to be modified for lower deck crew rest

adam88

goingnowhere wrote: »

The latest 4 are not weight restricted but only 2 have crew rest

EI-EWR can make it to LAX/SFO with ease but has no crew rest

Is it hard or possible to add crew rest. Afaik it’s a pod that’s added to the cargo hold

Bussywussy

adam88 wrote: »

Is it hard or possible to add crew rest. Afaik it’s a pod that’s added to the cargo hold

yes its easily installed/removed and tested...however you can't just add it to an aircraft not set up for it, it would require serious modification electrically, structurally and pneumatically

Pat Dunne

adam88 wrote: »

Is it hard or possible to add crew rest. Afaik it’s a pod that’s added to the cargo hold

Couple lengths of 4x2, some chipboard sheeting and a few screws and away with you

Bussywussy

Pat Dunne wrote: »

Couple lengths of 4x2, some chipboard sheeting and a few screws and away with you

Do NOT forget the speedtape....

Locker10a

Anyone know the reason behind the disruption to some LGW services today? And why titan were called in to operate ?