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

Where is the extra LR coming from that is being rumoured here? Its not on the order book currently

Cork which returns to 3 based units (1x A20N, 2x A320) for Winter 23/24 as was the case last year, will remain so for Summer 2024 (+1 based unit on S23). Would expect some frequency increases and some new/returning routes.

That's a tough one, when I was flying to Shannon from Chicago this summer, a woman sitting beside me had her friend miss her flight due to a late connection, and they put her on a flight to Heathrow with a connecting flight to Shannon.

It'll reduce options a bit at least.

Not unexpected but seems a bit sudden all the same, to presumably end all reciprocal benefits between the two carriers in a week without any public announcement is surprising, particularly when you consider Aer Lingus’ previous lack of agility when it comes to change.

I do wonder if this finally indicates some movement from Aer Lingus within the JV, they’ve been part of it for quite some time but from a passenger point of view you wouldn’t know it.

That’s listed as a -271NX which suggests it’s Pratt & Whitney powered. Aer Lingus currently operate the -253NX with the LEAP-1A engine.

It could be a mistake, wrongly listed for Aer Lingus or possibly even a short term stop gap until the first XLR arrives. I believe it was originally expected in summer but has been delayed until just before the winter schedule. Not a huge delay to be fair but still.

Not short notice at all. EI was taken over by IAG a decade or more ago and they applied for entry to the AA-BA-IB-FI joint business arrangement re transatlantic routes a long time ago. I think it’s 2 or more years since it was approved.

Just to put my two cents out there, Vueling operates some P&W neos, perhaps once this one’s stint with EI is done, it can be transferred over to VY? It’s not a huge issue I don’t think, the old 757 fleet did have 3 P&W and 1 RR engined planes.

So far that's been the most likely thing possible imo but assuming it's not an LR though.

Why go to the trouble of putting a business cabin and seats with more generous pitch + IFE then a short while into the future transfer it over to a LCC like Vueling. Where as if it's an ordinary A321 with around 220-235 seats it probably can be transfered over without doing too much to the cabin for it's next user.

Then again why bother though, just get some A321s of your own in that case.

757 different engines are irrelevant. They were only wet leases and not operated or maintained by EI.

I'm sure more will come to light over the next few weeks.

The Aer Lingus UK fleet is maintained as part of the parent company fleet in any case.

Oh I’m blue with envy. Maybe some excitement building B4…. Or should I say, B6 the announcement*

*I’ll get my coat

JetBlue have a much nicer product overall, same economy seat but they have a rather low seat count and a much nicer business seat. The soft product is vastly superior to anyone across the Atlantic right now.

So far JetBlue has positioned itself as a boutique alternative to the big carriers, that shows no sign of changing and in London at least they haven’t exactly made waves, more of a ripple.

It’ll be different in Dublin with it being a smaller market and new entrants having more of an immediate impact upon arrival but I don’t think Aer Lingus will be quite as concerned as some believe.

Manchester would be more of an issue for Aer Lingus should JetBlue show an interest there, the JFK route would become oversaturated and BOS would be off the cards for good.

Agreed, its not just about seats cargo is a big issue as well

Looks like B6 will use the regular A321NEO so the older business class hard product which is the exact same as EI's bar the door, thats going to struggle with range and rules out any cargo at all. Fewer seats than EI's LR.

Good news is some competition will drive prices down in J as EI has been getting a bit greedy recently. Always enjoyed the B6 product in the US, best Y experience out there well it was until they stuffed in more seats in Y

The standard A321neo also don’t have ovens in the aft galley so JetBlue is working on a new menu to still provide quality food option for these flights.

BOS-CDG will use an A321LR with 24 ‘Mint’ suites.

The product Dublin (and Edinburgh) will see is still very good but potentially less competitive than originally expected. With Aer Lingus taking XLR’s soon, supposedly retrofitting a new economy class on some older A330s, and exploring a new business class seat, it’s an interesting time from a passenger experience point of view.

Looks like ei nsd going to be fitted with seats ready for delivery

Wonder if ei nsd will go straight to cork