EI May Resume Flights to CA

LOccitane

Aer Lingus May Resume Flights to California:

http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0815/aerlingus-business.html

As has been expected for some time, EI now seem increasingly likely to re-start flights to the US West Coast. Whilst four locations are being mentioned as being looked at, I think that we can realistically focus upon SFO and LAX.

This would be a positive development in many respects.

LOccitane

FreudianSlippers

I think of SFO and LAX, SFO is a better option. I'd imagine though that EI would have demand for service to SEA as well.

pauraic1990

Here the link to the Irish Time article about restating the flight to the west coast.
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/finance/2011/0815/1224302449729.html

BuffyBot

SFO is a United hub, so with their codeshare agreements it would make the most sense

L1011

Do they have the a/c for this? Thought the entire 330 fleet was used now with the existing routes when you include MAD-IAD.

lord lucan

MYOB wrote: »

Do they have the a/c for this? Thought the entire 330 fleet was used now with the existing routes when you include MAD-IAD.

They could always drop the 139 to BOS and use it's slots for SFO. MAD-IAD is also due to finish in March next year which would free up an A332.

highlydebased

I think as it stands there are currently 3 free rotations in the schedule for next summer, so they could do SFO or wherever with no/little adjustment

Jamie2k9

I think as it stands there are currently 3 free rotations in the schedule for next summer, so they could do SFO or wherever with no/little adjustment

There is only one free rotations in the schedule this suummer. As said above IAD - MAD is finishing.

The Free slot is only on a Wednesday.

highlydebased

Jamie2k9 wrote: »

There is only one free rotations in the schedule this suummer. As said above IAD - MAD is finishing.

The Free slot is only on a Wednesday.

But they're not starting it this summer are they

Jamie2k9

According to media it will start at end of March which is counted as the suummer schedule.

Leejo

Yeah...... next summer

roundymac

According to the Journal.ie Aer Lingus will not be resuming flights to west coast next year. They say that they have looked at them and deceided that they would be lost making.:mad:

David086

Reading the report on Irish Times it sounds like they're desperate to get a route to the West Coast. Could another airline not take it up?

lord lucan

roundymac wrote: »

According to the Journal.ie Aer Lingus will not be resuming flights to west coast next year. They say that they have looked at them and deceided that they would be lost making.:mad:

I can only assume with the price of oil as it is they've figured it would barely break even let alone turn a profit. Tbh i don't see why they don't give a go and advertise their premium product heavily in business circles. EI have always struck me as resting on their laurels when it comes to advertising their product,whether here in Ireland or in North America.

Bearcat

lord lucan wrote: »

roundymac wrote: »

According to the Journal.ie Aer Lingus will not be resuming flights to west coast next year. They say that they have looked at them and deceided that they would be lost making.:mad:

I can only assume with the price of oil as it is they've figured it would barely break even let alone turn a profit. Tbh i don't see why they don't give a go and advertise their premium product heavily in business circles. EI have always struck me as resting on their laurels when it comes to advertising their product,whether here in Ireland or in North America.

Big problem also is flying out there 3 times a week. Terribly inefficient re crew Rostering unless it's 24 hr rotations and that's not going to happen. Also it's heavy crews upfront which drains resources. I don't see it happening it's a massive undertaking with such a small fleet irrespective of the IAD 330 returning on line. What I can see happening is ORD going twice daily during the summer months. Massive yields re freight and flights are very full there.....lots of connecting west coasters!

Can't see the west coast happening for the mo.

seanmacc

Maybe seeing that there is both Immigration and Customs clearance in Dublin now, that they can fly into one of the smaller non-international airports to cut costs. The only downside of that is they may miss out on a few passengers who need to connect on wards

L1011

seanmacc wrote: »

Maybe seeing that there is both Immigration and Customs clearance in Dublin now, that they can fly into one of the smaller non-international airports to cut costs. The only downside of that is they may miss out on a few passengers who need to connect on wards

Would a smaller airport be able to take a 330 or their future 350s? Particularly it being able to get off the ground fully fueled for a return trip.

jackofalltrades

MYOB wrote:

Would a smaller airport be able to take a 330 or their future 350s? Particularly it being able to get off the ground fully fueled for a return trip.

Smaller would just mean it quieter. Stewart International airport in New York for example, only has on average about 94 aircraft movements a day, but still has a runway thats 3,000 ft longer than Dublin airport.

seanmacc

MYOB wrote: »

Would a smaller airport be able to take a 330 or their future 350s? Particularly it being able to get off the ground fully fueled for a return trip.

In LA alone apart from LAX there is Bobe Hope airport, John Wayne Airport and Long Beach. All of which take mainly domestic traffic from the US.

The majority of US airports weather they be international or not have huge runways. The main reason for this was down to the cold war. They wanted to have the ability to land B-52's nearly everywhere if they had to. There is a theory, I'm not sure how true it is though is that the reason Shannon and Knock have big runways was for that reason also.

roundymac

Would'nt call Knock@s runway long @ 2300mts, only 167mts longer than Cork. That was an urban myth that started when Knock was built and is still dragged out in the pub every now and then by people who could'nt tell the difference between a jet and a turbo prop.

Mister Jingles

On the other hand would it work out better financially for EI to start seasonal flights to AUZ/NZ. Especially with the thousands of building jobs being created in Churchtown soon ?

A320

A Qantas or Air NZ once weekly flight from SNN to help Immigration would help

Mister Jingles

A320 wrote: »

A Qantas or Air NZ once weekly flight from SNN to help Immigration would help

The demand is there I reckon. Maybe not for a 747 or A380 type of flight but something along the lines of a 777-200. I know a few people who have went over to that part of the globe. Also know more who are heading over (inc myself pending...). But for EI it's something they could consider.

Hannibal

I've heard off a friend thats cabin crew that there's strong rumours they might be heading to Canada, possibly Vancouver and/or Toronto. Also that the airport they're looking at in California is Chico City, which is about 150 miles north east of San Fran

David086

Why can't a US airline take up the route?