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

Not arguing that fact.

Again I was answering the question “will they announce an order at the same time”.

no chance, and I was correct.

Oh wow... There's a kick in the nuts... It's seasonal at least.

Ouch that’s quite a reaction ! At least A330-200 X4 a week is relatively low risk schedule and will switch to A321NEOXLR when it arrives and EI can compete better.

They never announced it only filed for slots. Launching it the same day as ei is certainly a reaction, DL is known for it.

Preclearance is going to be a **** show next summer. Its already bursting at the seams before this capacity comes online. The stand situation too is going be horrendous, there'll be a lot of time spent waiting for a gate on the 7-10am arrivals.

They do compete for different traffic, but I think it's a stretch to say that DL won't affect EI.

There will be an effect on P2P. The scale of it is debatable – but anyone with SkyTeam status will likely prioritise DL.

The security check has changed somewhat which helps get you into the actual queue for immigration

A lot of this is the US CBP's fault, the self service machines disappeared and they did wonders to move things along. No MPC support either (only helpful for US citizens)

A walking route to the south gates would also help. Departing and arriving you seem to have to go around the houses on a bus.

The outbound to south gates is fine, the return with the sightseeing tour could be fixed by some traffic management to allow the bus to turn right and run contra flow to the drop off. They are called bus lanes...

Hand luggage is put in hold free of charge, unlike Ryanair who charge to put it in the hold as well as charging to bring it on the plane.

There is an option to pay a small fee with aerlingus to bring your cabin bag on board also.

EI in my experience tend to be better than Ryanair in punctuality and comfort.

I will say, last week I was on 330 to Malaga, in the business class seat and air host refused to give the earphones to use in flight entertainment. Transatlantic flight only she said they are for. I have previously received them on the Faro flight. After paying 90 euro for the seat, I was less than impressed with that.

I’d take the free 10kg Aer Lingus offer as hold luggage any day over paying to carry it around the airport and then trying to find space for it once on board. I find it allows for a much more relaxed experience at the airport, particularly during security and boarding.

I have an upcoming flight with Ryanair and they want €20 each way to carry on a 10kg bag or €27 to check it in. Aer Lingus will check it in for free or €9.99 to carry it on.

It’s one of the few advantages now but it’s a big one for me.

Headphones aren’t provided on short haul because for hygiene reasons they have to be removed at the end of the flight. Short haul flights don’t get cleaners on at the outstation and there just isn’t the time available for crew to scour every seat pocket to take out used headphones on such short turnarounds.

You’ll find that a 330 or 321 will often have some spare ones lying around and some crew will hand them out if they find them, but it’s not supposed to be done. Anyway you can connect your phone to the screens and use your own headphones via your phone.

Malaga and Faro on A330 does get cleaned at the outstation

They don’t, cleaners come in and empty the bins that’s it! They’ll take any empty bottles/wrappers left of top of the seats by crew when doing a walk trough but they’re in and out so quick they’d be gone before anything substantial is gathered up for them, they don’t come in with hoovers or go into seat pockets etc.