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

You would think that in terms of the constituent Airlines of the group, it makes sense to keep each brand fairly type homogenous, if for no other reason due to legacy maintenance and support operations.

Aeroplane maker posts 4 Billion dollar loss three years in a row, so must sell plane with blackened name for a song. They could well be losing on each one, just to keep the factories together and ride the dip. Hardly a vote of confidence, just a deal too good for IAG to refuse right now.

No doubt IAG got a very very good price.

There is a game afoot here as the Airbus negotiating team has the advantage when you have several hundred A32x already. Splitting fleet orders with Boeing will likely get IAG a better position with Airbus for next order.

It might be the case that the airframe will be delivered 'as is' and used for training flights to familiarise crew with the characteristics of this new variant.

During that time it may be repainted and have seats removed/adjusted to better match EIs 174 seat base (just to make it easier on the IT boarding system for the small subfleet)?

A config of 180 would be ideal, with slimline seats it would be spacious enough and wouldn’t have the same issues BA has with legroom down the back due to their varying seat pitch up front. Realistically it’ll be 186 which is seen on Iberia and Vueling, not exactly comfortable but it is the new standard.

The 188 config is essentially the ULCC layout, wouldn’t be in keeping with other IAG carriers so hopefully it’s revised down to a more realistic 186 or 180 as soon as possible.

They may well leave it as is. Does the max not have more seats on the Boeing than the 800 series?

With fuel being so expensive they may just go with keeping large numbers of seats, especially if they are the newer slimline type to maximise potential revenue.

The leap engine on the NEO and the Max is a game changer for many airlines and has come about at just the right time with these high fuel prices. They are extremely efficient when flown at slower speeds. Most airlines are now flying slower these days to save fuel.

Ostrava did the 'conversions' on the ex Aerflot A320's so chance the interiors gets done also

The A321LR cabin is indeed very nice, the styling is simple but looks smart with the green trim in economy. The head rest covers are a little on the cheap side but I like the colour they add. I’d like the A330s follow this styling eventually.

As for the A320neo cabin, I think the continuation of blue leather is likely. The beige/grey on IB/VY can look grubby very quickly and the black is probably reserved for BA. Maybe EI will add some colour via new headrest covers for short haul but I’d say that’s unlikely.

Proper mood lighting, USB ports, power outlets and WiFi will be the things to look out for, they’re considered standard these days so to not include them on a new aircraft type would be a missed opportunity in my opinion.

Difference in the training will be a 5-10 minute video presentation!

I tried to book JFK from SNN for January ‘23 a few weeks but only options offered at the time were via BOS

So BOS is the only year round US route ex SNN?

Interesting to see if AA & DL come back for Summer 23, I imagine AA is contingent on getting the XLR delivered next year as the B788 seems like way too much aircraft for that route.

There’s something like 40 787s waiting to be delivered to AA. The FAA have halted new 787 deliveries for about 18 months now. AA retired their 757s, 767s and A330s during COVID so it is hitting them hard.

To get their Max on the NAT they’s need to be outfitted with CPDLC etc, which I heard costs around $2 million per airframe. No point when they have XLRs on order to operate niche/seasonal routes like SNN.