Would you book Aer Lingus this far in advance?

ncmc

Have just seen some good value flights to Orlando for late August next year. I am a little bit wary of booking Air Lingus flights so early with the way things are going with them! Would people on here book flights with them this early? I don't want to risk leaving it for a few months and then risking the price going up.

gandalf

Personally I would check out alternative airlines as well just in case, if there isn't a major price difference I would book with them. I wouldn't risk Aer Lingus at the moment given their recent history.

ncmc

There isn't a huge price difference, but AI are the only ones that fly direct, very tempted at the thought of not having a bothersome changover!

rossie1977

its always best to book mid summer flights to the usa as far in advance as possible because come march those flights will be stupidly expensive.

my last couple of trips to the states with AL i booked 6-7 months in advance and got great deals

Our man in Havana

AL may not be around in 6 to 8 months time.

Victor

Aren't Aer Lingus bonded?

Why are you going to Florida in the hurricane season?

geecee

I seem to remember reading that Aer Lingus were one of the most cash rich airlines in europe? (for their size)
And that they were one of the most desirable "jewels"for a take over by one of the bigger european airlines.... and hardly likely to go broke?

Or did i dream that?

BuffyBot

I don't know where you got that impression...


OP, I personally don't think Aer Lingus will just go *poof* and disappear with your cash.

Savman

BuffyBot wrote: »

OP, I personally don't think Aer Lingus will just go *poof* and disappear with your cash.

I dunno, stranger things have happened. It's an airline in obvious trouble tbh.

rossie1977

Savman wrote: »

I dunno, stranger things have happened. It's an airline in obvious trouble tbh.

in the first six months of 2008 revenue grew by 10% from last year and passenger numbers were up 10% but fuel costs rose by 50% which meant they incurred a loss, with oil back down to $70 i would expect AL to post much better results for the final quarter of 2008, anyway we know that if they did get in trouble the government would bail them out :cool:

Victor wrote:

Why are you going to Florida in the hurricane season?

hurricanes are rare enough in orlando though, only one since the 1960s has hit the city

Bluetonic

rossie1977 wrote: »

anyway we know that if they did get in trouble the government would bail them out :cool:

Thats against EU law.

Our man in Havana

Since when has that stood in the way?

rossie1977

Bluetonic wrote: »

Thats against EU law.

tell that to Alitalia

datk

When the airlines went bust a few months ago all the news reports said anyone who booked with credit cards were fine it was only those who paid cash or by debit card who'd have problems getting their money back.

Bluetonic

rossie1977 wrote: »

tell that to Alitalia

So the EU Commission is biased and corrupt, but do you really think they would let state aid from the much beloved throughout the EU Irish government rescue Aer Lingus?

Bluetonic

datk wrote: »

When the airlines went bust a few months ago all the news reports said anyone who booked with credit cards were fine it was only those who paid cash or by debit card who'd have problems getting their money back.

I don't think the issue at hand here is losing the money (who in their right mind pays for flights with cash these days?) The issue is booking the flights and next August the airline not being in existence and therefore having to book alternative flights at a much higher price.

If the OP wants to have a bit of fun and cover some of the potential excess new flights would cost why not short Aer Lingus on the ISE. Not a guaranteed hedge but a probable risk coverer.

penexpers

rossie1977 wrote: »

in the first six months of 2008 revenue grew by 10% from last year and passenger numbers were up 10% but fuel costs rose by 50% which meant they incurred a loss, with oil back down to $70 i would expect AL to post much better results for the final quarter of 2008, anyway we know that if they did get in trouble the government would bail them out :cool:

Problem is they have most of their fuel hedged at a higher price.

i71jskz5xu42pb

Victor wrote: »

Aren't Aer Lingus bonded?

No I don't think so, I'm pretty sure it's only travel agents that are bonded.

OP if you are really worried about Aer Finglas going bust book though an ITAA bonded travel agent (you'll generally have to pay a service fee the agent)

http://www.clubtravel.ie/ do Airline Failure insurance for an extra €5 - don't ask me what this gets you over the ITAA bonding (other than a €5 shaped hole in your wallet).

Beware of generic travel insurance though. This sometimes only covers when the airline cancels a flight as opposed to the airline going bust. Tricksy insurance hobbitses, always keeping it from us.

And book it on a credit card as an extra level of insurance.

All that said I'd be willing to bet money that Aer Lingus will still be operating this time next year (either standalone or as part of a bigger airline).

BuffyBot

..and let's bring this back on topic in 3..2...1..

brettmirl

I'd be more worried about them being on strike rather than them going bust to be honest!

Slice

Yea, you never know when there'll be a strike with AL but as for going bust... that's really unlikely. They have a really good balance sheet as a result of the flotation and if you can count the Government and Ryanair amongst your major shareholders you're pretty much sorted.

alpha2zulu

If you book with a credit card,book with a bonded travel agent and/or have decent travel insurance theres nothing to worry about.
Aer Lingus arent disappearing anywhere soon.
There are plenty of other big names on both sides of the pond that are in a much more perilous state than EI.

Bluetonic

alpha2zulu wrote: »

If you book with a credit card,book with a bonded travel agent and/or have decent travel insurance theres nothing to worry about.

As I said already...

I don't think the issue at hand here is losing the money (who in their right mind pays for flights with cash these days?) The issue is booking the flights and next August the airline not being in existence and therefore having to book alternative flights at a much higher price.