Aer Lingus Fleet/ Routes Discussion Pt 2 (ALL possible routes included)

Thanks all.

I am planning a trip to Cayman and it is a nightmare to get to/from (always 2 stops). On the way home JetBlue have a flight to JFK which would connect nicely with Aer Lingus but unfortunately not bookable. Shame.

If EI were to outsource the ground handling to either Swisspprt or Sky handling, Do those companies not have issues with staffing levels.

Was talking to a lad I use to work with he was telling me that the company had switched ground handling companies(Obviously costs) but the SLA between the companies is a joke suppose to be a minimum of 12 staff to load unload plane and normally they have 3/4.

I notice that the LRs aren't operating any SH in the morning apart from Heathrow. I'm sure they were operating some other routes a while ago or at least there appeared to be a plan for them to do that, has something changed?

I am sure that my eyes are just playing tricks with me but did I see an EI 332 on the ramp earlier today about 1400 (Wednesday)

Bummer:

The article suggests the XLR wasn’t due until late 2023 anyway, assuming Aer Lingus were in place for one of the earlier delivery slots, a delay into Q1 2024 wouldn’t be terrible, as long as it doesn’t slip further.

I think many of us presumed the first XLRs would be in service by summer 2023 but it appears that was never the official plan.

Are the A320 Neo’s for growth or replacements do we know?

So it be the end of cva cvb and cvc the rest still have a few years

I saw on one of the EI facebook pages that the first 320Neo will be EI-NSA

So will the out right own the new a320

Was there any talk rumors or otherwise of a return of the 9am EI flight to JFK?

There was a plan for a 7am departure to BOS on the NEO before Covid. The 103 was the flight number for the early 757 in 2014

07:50am

10:20am into JFK

I have heard Denver is in the plans for this autumn.

At least 3 of the 4 Smartavia A320neos are already built and either fully or partially painted so will only need a fresh coat of white and green, possibly a cabin refit if that’s on the agenda but I’d doubt it as the 180 config they already have seems appropriate for Aer Lingus.

The first isn't due until Q3 so could be a few weeks yet.

Keeping an eye on the test registrations might be of interest;

F-WWBK

F-WWTR

F-WWDH

F-WWBD

Any flights or movements around Toulouse will pop up on Flight Radar.

I doubt BDL is in the immediate plans but there’s scope for its return in the future.

The current transatlantic fleet is pretty much covered so something would have to be cut or more aircraft needed to bring BDL back into the network and even then there may be more attractive destinations at the top of the wish list.

Aer Lingus did however have a cosy set up at BDL, there was plenty of cash involved and other incentives. While the route was steadily maturing and the incentives were winding down, a relaunch would likely involve renegotiation with Bradley and the State of Connecticut. Aer Lingus would want a brand new incentives package while BDL would probably argue both parities should pick up where they left off.

One thing is for sure, with 6 A321XLRs due from 2024 and 3 aircraft assigned to the fledgling Aer Lingus UK, there’s lots of aircraft to juggle in the near future.