Aer Lingus Fleet/Routes Discussion

EchoIndia

Karl8415 wrote: »

Just looking at EI- DAA inbound from lax it's over Greenland at its flying at 29,000 ft, I've never seen them that low considering their still approximately 3 hrs from Dublin and there doesn't seem to be anything nearby that impead him from climbing

It was at FL370 over Canada and descended for the oceanic portion.
https://flightaware.com/live/flight/EIN144/history/20200208/0425Z/KLAX/EIDW/tracklog

trellheim

that not mess with fuel burn or were the jet streams down low ?

smurfjed

I’m guessing, but the possibility exists that he doesn’t have the required equipment working to allow him enter the NAT-HLA airspace or RVSM airspace.

kevinandrew

No doubt the rough weather over the Atlantic this week has caused a few irregularities. The EI141 to Miami yesterday took one of the most southerly routes I’ve ever seen it do.

Currently Runway 16 is in use at Dublin, both A321LR‘s departed off it on their way to Newark and Hartford.

cson

Dardania wrote: »

Looks like all of the westbound flights there are at 310 and above, so maybe they need to go below?:

https://flightplandatabase.com/nav/NATS

There's a massive jetstream over the North Atlantic right now; I imagine its schedule management - I think the ground speed would be supersonic equivalent up there at the moment.

https://twitter.com/capitalweather/status/1225505967623802880

sherology

Dardania wrote: »

Looks like all of the westbound flights there are at 310 and above, so maybe they need to go below?:

https://flightplandatabase.com/nav/NATS

Jet stream is super fast tonight so may be due to various less-insane headwinds at those attitudes.

Keep an eye on return times tonight... Throttle down and ride the winds.

*Inbound... Sorry misread your initial post.

Aviation2K16

The return times were faster than normal last night. EI-LRC operated BOS-SNN in 4hr 40 mins. Other Inbound flights got back to DUB a lot faster than normal as well.

trellheim

Its money in the bank tho if you stay up high surely and fly for a shorter period,

Comhrá

Jet stream is super fast tonight so may be due to various less-insane headwinds at those attitudes.

Keep an eye on return times tonight... Throttle down and ride the winds.

*Inbound... Sorry misread your initial post.

A glance at the N.Atlantic on FR24 gives an idea of the strength of the jetstream.

Aviation2K16

Has EI-LRD had any test flights or anything yet? 1 of the A321LR seems to be split between SNN / DUB for the next 3 weeks until it arrives.

kevinandrew

Aviation2K16 wrote: »

Has EI-LRD had any test flights or anything yet? 1 of the A321LR seems to be split between SNN / DUB for the next 3 weeks until it arrives.

No flights yet. It was spotted in XFW last week and looked like it was being moved to the flight line. Once the first flight is completed, delivery follows very quickly, usually within a week.

Karl8415

Just been watching the 104 Ei-ELA and its definitely been pushed home tonight, currently at 650kts,he also seems to be taking a more direct route instead of hugging the coast for the first portion as they normally do.

HTCOne

trellheim wrote: »

Its money in the bank tho if you stay up high surely and fly for a shorter period,

Turbulence can be a factor. A strong jet stream normally means severe clear air turbulence (CAT) around the edges. It isn't uncommon for an aircraft to suddenly "fall out" of the jet stream as it veers and people on board to be injured.

ekellyie

Hi all,

https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/business/aer-lingus-to-curtail-short-haul-expansion-961064.html

I noticed this year a change in EI's schedule to Alicante, during high season, they're operating every second day and only from May-Sept. Last year, they operated from the end of March to October and every day during high season. Is this a result of them curtailing their short haul expansion as shown in the linked article?

I only ask as I'd use this route in slightly low season like April or October.

kevinandrew

EI-EIN had its first flight today. Currently out over the Bay of Biscay.

https://aibfamily.flights/A330/1951

Locker10a

ekellyie wrote: »

Hi all,

https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/business/aer-lingus-to-curtail-short-haul-expansion-961064.html

I noticed this year a change in EI's schedule to Alicante, during high season, they're operating every second day and only from May-Sept. Last year, they operated from the end of March to October and every day during high season. Is this a result of them curtailing their short haul expansion as shown in the linked article?

I only ask as I'd use this route in slightly low season like April or October.

Got to say I’m very surprised by this! Normally these bucket and spade type routes are a real winner for EI in summer

kevinandrew

ekellyie wrote: »

Hi all,

https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/business/aer-lingus-to-curtail-short-haul-expansion-961064.html

I noticed this year a change in EI's schedule to Alicante, during high season, they're operating every second day and only from May-Sept. Last year, they operated from the end of March to October and every day during high season. Is this a result of them curtailing their short haul expansion as shown in the linked article?

I only ask as I'd use this route in slightly low season like April or October.

It's operating at six weekly for peak summer (JUN, JUL, AUG) and five weekly either side (MAY, SEP) and it runs from 18 March to 30 September.

Wouldn't pay much attention to that article, the headline is entirely misleading as noted in the very first line when it states Aer Lingus owner IAG was curtailing short haul growth, not Aer Lingus specifically. It also fails to detail any specific Aer Lingus route reductions, largely because there are none that are out of the ordinary.

Considering Aer Lingus is adding SNN-CDG/BCN and DUB-BDS/AHO/RHO this summer, I'd say they've comfortably grown on short haul. Some routes, particularly seasonal ones, will always see adjustments year on year.

Locker10a

kevinandrew wrote: »

It's operating at six weekly for peak summer (JUN, JUL, AUG) and five weekly either side (MAY, SEP) and it runs from 18 March to 30 September.

Wouldn't pay much attention to that article, the headline is entirely misleading as noted in the very first line when it states Aer Lingus owner IAG was curtailing short haul growth, not Aer Lingus specifically. It also fails to detail any specific Aer Lingus route reductions, largely because there are none that are out of the ordinary.

Considering Aer Lingus is adding SNN-CDG/BCN and DUB-BDS/AHO/RHO this summer, I'd say they've comfortably grown on short haul. Some routes, particularly seasonal ones, will always see adjustments year on year.

Fair point but given they’ve pull out of the Belfast sun routes I’d have thought if anything they’d be adding capacity for Dublin to same

sherology

kevinandrew wrote: »

It's operating at six weekly for peak summer (JUN, JUL, AUG) and five weekly either side (MAY, SEP) and it runs from 18 March to 30 September.

Wouldn't pay much attention to that article, the headline is entirely misleading as noted in the very first line when it states Aer Lingus owner IAG was curtailing short haul growth, not Aer Lingus specifically. It also fails to detail any specific Aer Lingus route reductions, largely because there are none that are out of the ordinary.

Considering Aer Lingus is adding SNN-CDG/BCN and DUB-BDS/AHO/RHO this summer, I'd say they've comfortably grown on short haul. Some routes, particularly seasonal ones, will always see adjustments year on year.

Trying to book next winters Gran Canaria flights (bike a lot there) and the summer scheduled flights are showing. Any idea when they load the 'real' winter schedule (Tues/Thurs/Sat)? Don't want to book and have my dates moved by EI when they update the real schedule. Ended up with extra hotel bill last time.

kevinandrew

Locker10a wrote: »

Fair point but given they’ve pull out of the Belfast sun routes I’d have thought if anything they’d be adding capacity for Dublin to same

You would have thought so but additional capacity elsewhere may have been more lucrative.

We've seen Rhodes, Brindisi and Alghero added from Dublin and Paris and Barcelona added from Shannon for next summer, the latter thanks to the A321LR morning operation to LHR freeing up an A320.

sherology wrote: »

Trying to book next winters Gran Canaria flights (bike a lot there) and the summer scheduled flights are showing. Any idea when they load the 'real' winter schedule (Tues/Thurs/Sat)? Don't want to book and have my dates moved by EI when they update the real schedule. Ended up with extra hotel bill last time.

No idea of the exact date but it's usually before Easter. Most airlines appear to be getting later and later with their schedule announcements as the market becomes increasingly seasonal.

LXFlyer

Locker10a wrote: »

Fair point but given they’ve pull out of the Belfast sun routes I’d have thought if anything they’d be adding capacity for Dublin to same

Remember that Belfast was operated using an ASL B737 rather than a company aircraft, so it's not releasing an aircraft per se.

Locker10a

LXFlyer wrote: »

Remember that Belfast was operated using an ASL B737 rather than a company aircraft, so it's not releasing an aircraft per se.

No, but with then new 321 and 330 deliveries I’d have thought there be some extra availability for high demand early morning sun flights. Similar to how the new SNN routes are being facilitated.
In the past EI have leased an extra 320 for summer season, also an option or another deal similar to ASL.

Jamie2k9

With the LR and A330 on FAO the only major changes I see is VIE keeping am, extra BIO am and PRG gets an am schedule.

joeysoap

Was the problem with Belfast city airport not the short runway? Can only fly full to Uk? And lower than full to Portugal/ Spain? Wasn’t this the reason RY. left George Best airport?

sherology

Not fleet related so apologies - are EI staff now wearing the new uniforms... Did I read transition was Feb 6?

Locker10a

sherology wrote: »

Not fleet related so apologies - are EI staff now wearing the new uniforms... Did I read transition was Feb 6?

Yeah they are charged over on Monday

goingnowhere

Saw all 4 variants on the same flight on Tuesday

1. Male shirt/jacket/tie
2. Female dress
3. Female skirt + top
4. Female trousers and top

EI321

Aer Lingus to reconsider transatlantic flights from Cork.

https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/aer-lingus-to-reconsider-transatlantic-flights-from-cork-981347.html

kevinandrew

I think it's really nice in person, the dress looks surprisingly good in 'real world' conditions and the trousers and top combination is very contemporary, reminds me of something Air France would have. The traditional jacket and skirt option is okay but a little boxy on some people.

Apparently some additional features are being held up, the supervisor scarf and ties, new name badges etc. due to the virus outbreak in China.

In fleet news, Air Italy has gone bust meaning there's now a handful of GE powered A332's available. The preferred wide body fleet option for Aer Lingus is the A333 but if these are going cheap, in good condition and readily available, the airline might be interested.

Of course they already have a second hand A333 joining and the rumour of another being looked at so it's likely the A332's may not be required at all.

California Dreamer

kevinandrew wrote: »

Air Italy has gone bust meaning there's now a handful of GE powered A332's available. The preferred wide body fleet option for Aer Lingus is the A333 but if these are going cheap, in good condition and readily available, the airline might be interested.

Which incidentally are all ex-Qatar birds as well.