Aer Lingus Fleet/Routes Discussion

goingnowhere

VG31 wrote: »

British Airways offer business class from Dublin to Ibiza. It was really cheap last summer, even cheaper than Ryanair!

That wasn't even proper business class on the E190.

If EI do use the LR on EU routes they would be the only airline in Europe (except Aeroflot?) to offer proper business class service

VG31

goingnowhere wrote: »

That wasn't even proper business class on the E190.

It's standard business class for Europe. It's still very good value.

goingnowhere wrote: »

If EI do use the LR on EU routes they would be the only airline in Europe (except Aeroflot?) to offer proper business class service

Turkish Airlines do as well and S7 Airlines (although that might be a bit of a stretch).

JCX BXC

Scaremongering really, we've 4 757's to be replaced at a minimum!

Cloudio9

goingnowhere wrote: »

No problem shifting biz class to Orlando, seen it full in Summer season. Its a marketing issue, offer a full business class product at a reasonable cost and you will find takers for Malaga

I wouldn’t assume all those seats were sold. More than likely bumping up people from an oversold economy.

California Dreamer

Cloudio9 wrote: »

I wouldn’t assume all those seats were sold. More than likely bumping up people from an oversold economy.

Not something that EI really do!

This is one airline that is protective of their business class product.

Cloudio9

California Dreamer wrote: »

Not something that EI really do!

This is one airline that is protective of their business class product.

They do it all the time. I have benefitted many tines.

Van.Bosch

So the original order was for 7 A321LR’s, in recent interviews Rutter is talking about 8, and I have seen it reported that the order was made last week. I assume this is an increase of 1 and that there are now 15 in order?

LXFlyer

goingnowhere wrote: »

That wasn't even proper business class on the E190.

If EI do use the LR on EU routes they would be the only airline in Europe (except Aeroflot?) to offer proper business class service

How are you defining “proper business class”?

goingnowhere

LXFlyer wrote: »

How are you defining “proper business class”?

2+2 seating, with recline on a A320/737, proper catering

No EU airline offers this on domestic/intra EU flights narrow body

You can grab proper business class LHR-HEL and LHR-MAD from time to time but that is 777/350

Irish Steve

I've just moved a significant number of posts from this thread, which is for Aer Lingus Fleet discussion, into a separate thread Aer Lingus Terms and conditions, please don't use this thread for non fleet related posts

Tenger

Some vids on travelextra Ireland YouTube channel of EI COO talking at the Philly route announcement last Wednesday.

kevinandrew

Tenger wrote: »

Some vids on travelextra Ireland YouTube channel of EI COO talking at the Philly route announcement last Wednesday.

I mentioned one of them on the previous page regarding the talk of A321LR's on European routes and Aer Space making a comeback. 

Interestingly he talks about about this being a "phase one" announcement of 2018 expansion and he hopes to be back in the not too distant future with details on additional expansion. There was briefly talk of a second transatlantic route but was ruled out due to aircraft availability but there was that Privilege 777 showing in the booking engine for next summer, that could free up an A330 for another route if needed?

IrishYamm

So appart from the PHL announcement, am I right to say the following:

Aer Space product on the Short Haul to be launched in 2018 (according to M. Rutter)

EI joining OneWorld alliance in Q2 2018 (just a rumour that I heard. Any hearing on this?)

New uniform design for the airline crew in 2018/2019

Retrofit of all inflight entreteinment screens for all fleet (like the ones in GAJ, FNH, FNJ)

Anything to add / any comments on these plans for 2018?

A319er

Add 321LR x8 , one extra added
Further T/atl annoucment coming ....

IrishYamm

A319er wrote: »

Add 321LR x8 , one extra added
Further T/atl annoucment coming ....

There is no ac at the moment (even after the new 330) for a second announcement TA route....

L1011

3 days tech cover on the 330s if they want to live really dangerously

Bussywussy

EDY now has the mood lighting fitted...

kevinandrew

IrishYamm wrote: »

A319er wrote: »

Add 321LR x8 , one extra added
Further T/atl annoucment coming ....

There is no ac at the moment (even after the new 330) for a second announcement TA route....

The Chief Operating Officer did say at the announcement that it could be considered phase one with a phase two expansion announcement potentially at a later date. There may be no aircraft of their own but it's not like Aer Lingus is shy when it comes to hiring in aircraft, the 767 could make a return, the Privilege Style 777 that "accidentally" appeared in the schedule could make a comeback, freeing up one of their own aircraft. 

I'm of the opinion that PHL and the frequency increases are enough and it's unlikely we'll see anything else added but the current lack of aircraft for next summer doesn't make it impossible, there's ways around it.

AoifeOCaa

kevinandrew wrote: »

The Chief Operating Officer did say at the announcement that it could be considered phase one with a phase two expansion announcement potentially at a later date. There may be no aircraft of their own but it's not like Aer Lingus is shy when it comes to hiring in aircraft, the 767 could make a return, the Privilege Style 777 that "accidentally" appeared in the schedule could make a comeback, freeing up one of their own aircraft. 

I'm of the opinion that PHL and the frequency increases are enough and it's unlikely we'll see anything else added but the current lack of aircraft for next summer doesn't make it impossible, there's ways around it.

Do you think Oneworld and Aerspace will arrive in 2018?

L1011

AoifeOCaa wrote: »

Do you think Oneworld and Aerspace will arrive in 2018?

At this stage, with them finally adding a TATL Oneworld hub I'm starting to think it is finally coming.

Oneworld themselves are likely to want to replace AB as a European member although any markets AB alone served aren't being served by EI

Tenger

L1011 wrote: »

...........
Oneworld themselves are likely to want to replace AB as a European member although any markets AB alone served aren't being served by EI

I guess Germany is the next obvious market for Level?

L1011

Tenger wrote: »

I guess Germany is the next obvious market for Level?

And/or Vueling you'd imagine. Current Level flights are IB coded, dunno if it'll still be oneworld after getting it's AOC

There are also suggestions of Meridiana being built up via Qatar (and IAG buying in) to become a new oneworld carrier to replace AZ as the hometown airline for Italy.

AoifeOCaa

L1011 wrote: »

At this stage, with them finally adding a TATL Oneworld hub I'm starting to think it is finally coming.

Oneworld themselves are likely to want to replace AB as a European member although any markets AB alone served aren't being served by EI

it has been so quiet regarding the oneworld alliance etc even from the management. that's why i am wondering.

Jamie2k9

L1011 wrote: »

At this stage, with them finally adding a TATL Oneworld hub I'm starting to think it is finally coming.

Oneworld themselves are likely to want to replace AB as a European member although any markets AB alone served aren't being served by EI

PHL has nothing to do with O/W. Yes it makes sense but was always going to happen without or without O/W.

There has been "no" attempt between EI/AA to even set up a code share. It does not require a JV which probably won't happen with EI.

AoifeOCaa

Jamie2k9 wrote: »

PHL has nothing to do with O/W. Yes it makes sense but was always going to happen without or without O/W.

There has been "no" attempt between EI/AA to even set up a code share. It does not require a JV which probably won't happen with EI.

So OneWorld won't happen either, you think?

kevinandrew

Joining an alliance is a very complex and expensive process, Aer Lingus did just fine without it for all these years and I'm wondering if management are yet to be convinced it's worth it. 



Publicly Aer Lingus left OneWorld due to its focus on the low fares model which didn't fit the OneWorld product but the biggest reason was the high costs of adjusting their IT systems to accommodate JAL and Royal Jordanian, two airlines they'd see very little revenue from and I don't think much has changed within the alliance to entice Aer Lingus back. Since leaving they've maintained relationships with BA, Qantas and Cathay while forging new ones with United, JetBlue and Etihad. The relationship with American Airlines is difficult, Aer Lingus dropped them in favour of a much more extensive partnership with United (a leading Star Alliance member) which appears very successful overall. 



Willie Walsh stated recently that American didn't understand the way Aer Lingus did things, that probably says more about American than it does about Aer Lingus. It would take a lot of work on both sides for everything to fit into place, it was a year ago Walsh said the two carriers would start cooperating again, still no sign which speaks volumes in my opinion.



Personally, I see an equal amount of pros and cons for OneWorld membership. I'm less convinced on the transatlantic joint venture.

Jamie2k9

AoifeOCaa wrote: »

So OneWorld won't happen either, you think?

I actually do eventually however I'm not so sure how enthusiastic EI are about nor how much influence they have over the decision.

Personally I think having to drop United and Air Canada partnership is a very big deal and the impact of such a move on some routes. Not even O/W and AA co-operating can offset it. JetBlue can surrive O/W re-entry.

HTCOne

Jamie2k9 wrote: »

I actually do eventually however I'm not so sure how enthusiastic EI are about nor how much influence they have over the decision.

Personally I think having to drop United and Air Canada partnership is a very big deal and the impact of such a move on some routes. Not even O/W and AA co-operating can offset it. JetBlue can surrive O/W re-entry.

I thought AC were in OW?

But with their current model they have the highest profit margin of any IAG airline, circa 30%....double BA. That's being driven entirely by TATL. It's hugely risky for them to change it and I can totally understand and agree with them dragging any heels.

AoifeOCaa

HTCOne wrote: »

I thought AC were in OW?

But with their current model they have the highest profit margin of any IAG airline, circa 30%....double BA. That's being driven entirely by TATL. It's hugely risky for them to change it and I can totally understand and agree with them dragging any heels.

Air Canada is a star alliance member.


Regarding the aer space, as mentioned by Rutter on the video, launching in 2018, I am really surprised. Thought this wasn't enough profitable to bring a case on this matter. It will be interesting to see if this REALLY happens.

L1011

HTCOne wrote: »

I thought AC were in OW?

Star - those two partnerships were why people thought an independent EI might actually join Star; particularly after BMI ceased to be and they lost coverage in the UK and Ireland as a result.