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

I don't disagree with anything you say here.

I just wish that the European market wasn't only about the cheapest possible operation.

Reuters reported yesterday that Airbus is facing a range shortfall for the A321XLR.

Concerns were previously raised over the safety of the new rear centre fuel tank which prompted a redesign including a protective liner and other reinforcements which have added considerable weight to frame. The aircraft was marketed as a 4,700nm airframe but the added weight has knocked off around 200-300nm, in real world operations that puts it closer to having a 4000nm range.

Reuters also report Airbus has even offered deals on the A330neo to some customers.

It seems Airbus has reached the absolute limit of what it can achieve with the A321 airframe in terms of range. I doubt Aer Lingus are particularly thrilled with the news, especially after the A321LR delivery delays and it's poorer than expected runway peformance.

While I doubt Aer Lingus (or any other airline) will be rushing to switch to the A330neo (it serves a totally different role than what airlines intended the XLR for) it could be a good way of getting their hands on new widebodies at knock down prices.

Even with the range penalty, the XLR should still open up a number of new markets for Aer Lingus in the US midwest, Florida and South.

That is entirely anecdotal and is the running commentary in this thread at the moment, results show different I'm afraid and facts matter.

Last time myself and the other half went to Hamburg for a leisure short break the choice was EI departing at 06:15 or Ryanair.

I wouldn't consider Ryanair at that time (all that queuing and standing around in all kinds of locations and weather) and the EI crack-of-dawn flight arriving hours before a hotel room would be available was unattractive to put it mildly.

So, Lufthansa Business Class via FRA outbound and MUC on the return with excellent lounges was the solution - afterall it was meant to be an enjoyable experience, and so it was. For a follow up trip to Berlin, Lufthansa was the winner again. Fewer trips with better service are the way to go for us from now on.

PS for long haul Business Class, I won't consider any airline that involves using EI economy flights to get to or from the airline's hub.

It may well be a good thing that EI doesn't provide Business on short flights because to do so requires consistency and excellence - unfortunately EI has neither of those qualities.

Your point about connecting to EI economy is on the money. I don't do business flights all that often, but I'll be effed if I'n going to follow an eleven hour long haul slog with an EI short haul bus service.

I totally understand and agree with your point given current market economics, but I don't think EI will ever out compete FR (As suggested in my ancient post #3303 on this thread); and I find the assumption that price will always win over quality a bit depressing.

The world changes. I remember a time, pre-FR's dominance, when BA's forward fleet plan was based on the assumption of multiple wide bodies daily from LHR to FRA and elsewhere in Europe. This rapidly changed into buying a lot of 319s and offering convenience and service (to some extent) whilst much of the travelling masses chose to go elsewhere for cheaper fares. There are a lot of uncertainties surrounding aviation at the moment. Demand is increasing (will this last?) despite quite steep price rises, aviation's sustainability performance is ever-more exposed and questioned, pilots are in short supply, global working practices are changing - probably permanently - which has reduced (but certainly not eliminated) business travel, etc.

Given all of this I can see a scenario in a few years time where EI might need to paddle up market again to win premium customers, who may be back as a mainstay of airline economics. If they've committed too much into the current competitive race to the bottom they may struggle to pull themselves up. And if you look at the USA where AA, DL and others still offer blended cabin products in the face of strong competition from Southwest and others, I really can't understand why a 'club europe' style product couldn't work for EI right now and protect some semblance of quality differentiation from FR. As someone else has said today, LH and others offer good connecting products. For me these beat driving to DUB in the middle of the night to catch a first-wave flight, however cheap it might be. I wonder whether data from the (sometimes oddly-priced) Aerspace product exists that would show whether a demand exists for something a little better?

Saw a video online of what I assume to be EI-FNJ based on the seat back with the main seat cushion not attached to the frame whatsoever. Incidentally I flew EI-FNJ back in February when the seat of myself and all the passengers around me were forced into the recline. Based on my interactions with the passengers around me, we were equally unimpressed with the issue. It was throughout the whole aircraft as I was travelling in a party of 2 with someone else sat elsewhere on the aircraft. I was thinking does this not raise a safety issue? People are told multiple times throughout the flight to keep their seat in the full upright position yet if this is not possible what must happen. I can't find the response to my complaint in my emails but it was something along the lines of the issue would be rectified. Shame that I had to see nothing had been done in light of all the positive news surrounding the new neo (which I look forward to flying!) but I do think they need to take a long hard think about which portion of the fleet is still dominant across the overall network and consider what the average customer will be likely to fly on when flying with Aer Lingus.

I have rung EI in advance and they could allocate a seat at the front. But crazy that some fares just cannot do it online - their app and IT system is well behind other airlines.

Agreed... The headrest covers give a good pop of colour to the LRs - shame they don't add them to match the space/preferred/std config.

The seat back is solid Vs. the literature carve-out on NSA/B.

Thanks for the retweet.

I'd prefer if they had universal power outlets instead of USB. Or better still both. My phone charges much, much faster with the power adapter.

Wow, those really are ironing boards

Probably because it's the IAG standard and Aer Lingus would have had little say in the matter. When IAG ordered hundreds of A320neo for its group carriers, it also ordered tens of thousands of super lightweight seats from Recaro, along with other fixtures and fittings from various suppliers.

The ability to bulk buy everything from aircraft to sick bags gives the group huge negotiating power over these supplies but it also means they often go with the bare minimum to keep the costs of these huge orders down and operations as simple and effecient as possible.

It's dull and unimaginative, you'll find these exact same seats on Vueling, Level, Iberia and British Airways, but when you've got hundreds of aircraft to fit out, it's sensible business.

That’s new. I’ve tried calling the EI concierge desk before but they were unable to help on another airline’s ticket. Have a similar flight in a few days time - will give it a go…