Aer Lingus Fleet/Routes Discussion

Locker10a

Didn't realise there was issues for spare parts for these a/c !
Forgive my ignorance but why don't EI just strip out the cabin and fit their own standard seats? Of course they would have to buy these, but surly it would be cheaper than constantly chopping and changing aircraft ! Are aircraft seats/refitting cabins that expensive that they'd rather change the whole aircraft !!
And won't the new aircraft have an odd cabin anyway too ?
You mention FNJ, has this presented similar issues ?

A319er

EI do not own the aircraft and were on 4 year lease of which EI had them for EI services for less than 2 years so cost full refurb even if allowed by aircraft owner versus any extra revenue earned is probably zero profit , in short not worth the investment, the 2 aircraft never were intended for EI so let them go !

Locker10a

A319er wrote: »

EI do not own the aircraft and were on 4 year lease of which EI had them for EI services for less than 2 years so cost full refurb even if allowed by aircraft owner versus any extra revenue earned is probably zero profit , in short not worth the investment, the 2 aircraft never were intended for EI so let them go !

Ah ok well that makes more sense, thanks for the info!
I just always wondered why EI flew around odd cabins for what seems to be years without just refitting them! But leasing makes sense as to why they wouldn't.

A319er

EI like all other IAG carriers will move to a common fleet, should happen before
End Trumps second term in office !

Tenger

A319er wrote: »

EI like all other IAG carriers will move to a common fleet, should happen before
End Trumps second term in office !

From reading the IAG presentation at the end of 2015 it certainly gave the impression that all IB, BA and EI A320 deliveries would have standardised seating across the board (Club Europe/premium seats aside)

IB and EI definitely need some sort of shorthaul fleet renewal order in place. However the IAG review of CAPEX levels will have put a hold on any plans that may have been drawn up.

Locker10a

A319er wrote: »

EI like all other IAG carriers will move to a common fleet, should happen before
End Trumps second term in office !

Lovely... It will be 320s with flexi cabins, 180 seats, with the same amount of locker space and more seats, and half galleys with smaller toilets! The Flexi 321s can have a capacity of up to 240Y

Tenger

Dont think that's just an IAG issue. The A320neo have smaller lavs with more (slimline) seats. So I think that may be the future regardless of airline preference if they want to stick with A320's.
And the nature of the industry is that passenger no longer checkin bags due to charges so locker space is a sought after area of real estate.

Locker10a

Indeed, it is the new norm for aircraft and airlines to have this configuration but it's not going to be any nicer for passengers! More seats, less space, less over head locker space=more bags gate checked=slower and more stressful boarding=overall less pleasant experience!
But you're correct, it's the way all airlines are going now, selling those extra 3 or 6 tickets is to mouthwatering for yield managers to refuse

Dardania

Wait until you see IAG do what United are planning, and include a fare class with no access to the overhead lockers.

joeysoap

I was on (new) RY 737 recently and the overhead lockers held a massive amount of stuff. And when closed upwards to the ceiling they even looked slimline. I noticed the cabin crew closed them, as passengers didn't seem to know how they worked. They sort of opened out flat and there was a little switch at the side for closing them.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/travel_news/article-3046954/Boeing-unveils-larger-overhead-luggage-bins-hold-50-bags-budget-flights.html

Pat Dunne

Dardania wrote: »

Wait until you see IAG do what United are planning, and include a fare class with no access to the overhead lockers.

As you would know in advance of purchasing your ticket, that you would have no access to overhead lockers, I really don't see it causing a problem. It basically comes down to, travel light, small bag no bigger than "manbag" size under the seat in front of you, or check anything else into the hold, if you choose to purchase that fare class.

I have a lot of time for how Ryanair policed their baggage policy in the past. If it didn't comply it doesn't go onboard without penalty, simples!

Jamie2k9

Dardania wrote: »

Wait until you see IAG do what United are planning, and include a fare class with no access to the overhead lockers.

They won't do it until Ryanair and Easyjet do.

I kind of support it because the level of hand baggage some bring is ridiculous.

Dardania

Jamie2k9 wrote: »

Dardania wrote: »

Wait until you see IAG do what United are planning, and include a fare class with no access to the overhead lockers.

They won't do it until Ryanair and Easyjet do.

I kind of support it because the level of hand baggage some bring is ridiculous.

In time, I can see overhead locker being a perk to allow quicker departure and hold luggage being the "free" default with a queue at collection belt.

joeysoap

Pat Dunne wrote: »

I have a lot of time for how Ryanair policed their baggage policy in the past. If it didn't comply it doesn't go onboard without penalty, simples!

Agree with that, IMO gone too far the other way now.

Jamie2k9 wrote: »

They won't do it until Ryanair and Easyjet do.

I kind of support it because the level of hand baggage some bring is ridiculous.

Agreed with that too.

EJ have two different sizes of cabin bags, if it fits underneath the seat you are guaranteed to take it on board, if it's 'normal' size cabin bag it can be taken off you at the gate (not voluntary). Also with EJ - strictly one cabin bag, no weight limit, (duty free allowed from most airports)

Overall I prefer Aer Lingus policy, and I really appreciate the way they allow you to check in a cabin size bag for free if you ask. (I have never been refused, even by handling agents)

Locker10a

joeysoap wrote: »

I was on (new) RY 737 recently and the overhead lockers held a massive amount of stuff. And when closed upwards to the ceiling they even looked slimline. I noticed the cabin crew closed them, as passengers didn't seem to know how they worked. They sort of opened out flat and there was a little switch at the side for closing them.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/travel_news/article-3046954/Boeing-unveils-larger-overhead-luggage-bins-hold-50-bags-budget-flights.html

The new bins on newer 737s don't actually increase the baggage capacity at all, they just appear larger, but cases must still be stowed lieing flat. So they fit the same as the old ones or airbus equivalent

Locker10a

Dardania wrote: »

Wait until you see IAG do what United are planning, and include a fare class with no access to the overhead lockers.

EasyJet more or less do this now, the upsell "speedy boarding" as allowing first access to overhead locker space. Non speedy boarders may be forced to have their bags gate checked

joeysoap

Locker10a wrote: »

EasyJet more or less do this now, the upsell "speedy boarding" as allowing first access to overhead locker space. Non speedy boarders may be forced to have their bags gate checked

RY were at that craic for a while - first ninety only guaranteed, ie take out PB to guarantee on board bag. With EJ they guarantee that a smaller bag gets on board but its your only bag, not an additional bag.

56x45x25cm including handles and wheels
45x36x20cm to qualify for easyJet's cabin bag guarantee and to fit your bag under the seat in front of you

Locker10a

joeysoap wrote: »

Locker10a wrote: »

EasyJet more or less do this now, the upsell "speedy boarding" as allowing first access to overhead locker space. Non speedy boarders may be forced to have their bags gate checked

RY were at that craic for a while - first ninety only guaranteed, ie take out PB to guarantee on board bag. With EJ they guarantee that a smaller bag gets on board but its your only bag, not an additional bag.

56x45x25cm including handles and wheels
45x36x20cm to qualify for easyJet's cabin bag guarantee and to fit your bag under the seat in front of you

Ryanair still enforce the policy of 90 bags in the cabin and the remainder tagged. This will never change, allowing more bags on just causes delays as they simply don't fit, the flow of boarding is slowed down and push back delayed due to having to offload bags.

EasyJet have done away with the "guarentee bag" as this policy wasn't working, people did not adhere to it and it was too difficult to police so it's gone.

https://youtu.be/j6mdDo_gU_0

The battle with cabin baggage is here to stay unfortunately, I find the best thing to do is just hand over my bag at the gate! It actually makes boarding the aircraft so much less stressful. If it's a thing that you want a quick as possible exit the other side then you're going to have to pay for some form of priority boarding. It's simply they way things are now! Even Lufthansa and BA etc who traditionally didn't charge for luggage are now having these same issues with hand baggage

The_Wanderer

Here is a radical idea?

Don't charge for hold luggage! I always put my bag in the hold. To see what some people attempt and usually succeed in bringing onboard sometimes amazes me.

Tenger

The_Wanderer wrote: »

Here is a radical idea?

Don't charge for hold luggage! I always put my bag in the hold. To see what some people attempt and usually succeed in bringing onboard sometimes amazes me.

I would fully agree. From a former career working directly in the industry I think bundling checked-in hold baggage into the overall ticket price is a customer friendly manner. Chasing the lowest banner price and adding 'ancilliary revenue' is just playing with figures in some ways.
Follow the Southwest model, "Bags fly for free" (even if you are actually paying for it at some point and their reservations systems is unable to handle bag charges!)

Shannon757

I love the idea of free hand luggage. My only problem is in an emergency you still have people grabbing bags from the overhead bins and carrying them out.



They should only be allowed what can fit in their pockets

flanzer

Slightly OT, but I was on a Thomson flight last weekend, a 737-800, and those newer overhead compartments were installed. It gave the cabin a less claustrophobic feel. The definitely seemed bigger too than the standard compartments we're used to seeing. Novel idea

Locker10a

flanzer wrote: »

Slightly OT, but I was on a Thomson flight last weekend, a 737-800, and those newer overhead compartments were installed. It gave the cabin a less claustrophobic feel. The definitely seemed bigger too than the standard compartments we're used to seeing. Novel idea

Yeah they do improve the cabin and the feeling of space, they are based on the design of the ones designed for the 787, however the 737 cabin is simply not as big , and where in the 787 lockers wheelie cases can fit in on their side, the 737 version doesn't have enough space to do this.

joeysoap

Locker10a wrote: »

Yeah they do improve the cabin and the feeling of space, they are based on the design of the ones designed for the 787, however the 737 cabin is simply not as big , and where in the 787 lockers wheelie cases can fit in on their side, the 737 version doesn't have enough space to do this.

They do give an impression of more space though. When closed the cabin is definitely improved. The crew on the one I was on (original had a problem at Faro, 2 hours late as a result) were experimenting with the lights during the flight. I didn't know a basic 737 had 'mood' lighting. But the Portuguese cabin crew, who had clearly never flown on a 'new' 737 previously had fun playing with the lights and we're getting great response from the passengers. (Different coloured lighting and different places where it appeared to come from , overhead or down the sides. Liked the blue myself but that might have been because of the hour 23:00 leaving Dublin. Returned on a AL 321.

Jamie2k9

Agreed with that too.

EJ have two different sizes of cabin bags, if it fits underneath the seat you are guaranteed to take it on board, if it's 'normal' size cabin bag it can be taken off you at the gate (not voluntary). Also with EJ - strictly one cabin bag, no weight limit, (duty free allowed from most airports)

Overall I prefer Aer Lingus policy, and I really appreciate the way they allow you to check in a cabin size bag for free if you ask. (I have never been refused, even by handling agents)

On a recent trip to London as it was last minute flights were expensive so I didn't take checked baggage but I was livid when i saw what people were taking on board. Next time I will be a lot more generous in what I take.

Charges will become a reality very soon, Wizz Air do it and once fuel starts to creep back up airlines will need to source more revenue and this will be it.

Locker10a

Does anyone know of EI plan on using BA embraers again for extra capacity this year ?
Also are they still returning some a320s to lessors ? What will replace them ?

Bussywussy

Locker10a wrote: »

Also are they still returning some a320s to lessors ? What will replace them ?

Yes and 2 newly leased A320s coming from Slovakia or somewhere.

Locker10a

Bussywussy wrote: »

Locker10a wrote: »

Also are they still returning some a320s to lessors ? What will replace them ?

Yes and 2 newly leased A320s coming from Slovakia or somewhere.

Oh interesting thanks for the reply, I assumed any replacement would involve a/c being changed hands between one of the IAG carriers

billy few mates

Locker10a wrote: »

Oh interesting thanks for the reply, I assumed any replacement would involve a/c being changed hands between one of the IAG carriers

That's what 'smart' would do....:rolleyes:

kevinandrew

billy few mates wrote: »

Locker10a wrote: »

Oh interesting thanks for the reply, I assumed any replacement would involve a/c being changed hands between one of the IAG carriers

That's what 'smart' would do....:rolleyes:

That's what 'smart' normally does but do the other IAG carriers have any spares in summer? Probably not.