Aer Lingus Fleet/ Routes Discussion Pt 2 (ALL possible routes included)

ciandonn

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123720080#Comment_123720080

That was my first thought as well since it was announced previously years ago, if that is the case though you would wonder why Cancun is also listed since that was only recently announced.

LimaBravoTango

EI-XLU (test reg. D-AZXO) had a taxi check and rejected take-off at Hamburg/XFW today.

Photo: spottingatxfw

cson

There's two XLR left for delivery after this one, right?

LimaBravoTango

Yes, XLW which has been spotted in full EI colours and XLX which hasn’t been spotted yet.

Qaanaaq

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123724037#Comment_123724037

I think i saw something that XLX was spotted in primer recently. Cant remember if it was fully built or not but i do recall some mention of it.

LimaBravoTango

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123724412#Comment_123724412

The only info I’ve got on it is that it’s MSN 12549. XLU and XLW will be delivered in quick succession in September, with XLX expected by year-end, completing the deliveries.

Gary walsh 32

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123722472#Comment_123722472

In the air now on a test flight

LimaBravoTango

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123724742#Comment_123724742

https://www.flightradar24.com/data/aircraft/d-azxo

Qaanaaq

XLX status. In primer under towing with EI tail colours

https://digitalairliners.com/2025/07/25/log-hamburg-finkenwerder-xfw-25-07-2025/

Touristx73

Given the number of long haul flights EI operate do they have scope to add new A330 routes or increase frequencies on existing ones until they get the new Neos in 2028, without tweaking their current schedule?

Tenger

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123731763#Comment_123731763

no

Noxegon

Here's an utterly random question for those who know such things. I travel to Seattle fairly regularly, and according to my personal flight log every single trip I've taken on that route has been on EI-DUO.

A quick look at FR24 suggests that this is the frame used on Seattle virtually all of the time, while every other route in North America sees a variety of different aircraft. Anyone know why?

goingnowhere

-200 is used on SEA, DUO has crew rest fitted so can make the trip, GEY does not

Tenger

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123740964#Comment_123740964

As above, Crew rest is required on all West Coast flights. EI have 6 A330 with this fitted.
So straight away you are down to 6 possibilities from the fleet of 13 in Dublin.

DUO and DAA each have a similar but still unique cabin config compared to the other A330s. Denver and Seattle are short enough that the return route can be operated within a 24 hour timeframe. By assigning DAA and DUO (respectively) to these 2 routes allows EI to have consistency in their passenger seating.

SFO and LAX cannot be operated within 24 hours. Thus for a daily route you need 4 airframes. 2 ready to depart even as the Eastbound flight is close to home. For reservations purposes you want the same cabin on this route all the time. Thus EI have to assign 4 identical airframes to these 2 routes, using the highest capacity A333s also helps the bottom line.

Similarly, when GEY was in operation it usually operated the Toronto route.

KB77

Hey guys,

Hope you are all doing great,

Quick enquiry, my friend works in Cork airport and he said theres a rumour going around of a 4th aircraft next summer, anyone here know anything about it

TheBrownBird32

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123744113#Comment_123744113

There is a Reddit user who did an AMA about Cork airport last year who correctly predicted EI launching GLA, BIO and BOD over 2 months before they were all announced.

They recently posted a new AMA where they’re saying that a 4th aircraft is in talks with Lisbon and Madrid being looked at.

Also saying that Emerald are looking at basing an aircraft for S26 with new routes to Southampton, Jersey, Leeds and Gatwick

https://www.reddit.com/r/cork/s/vlwSawvkbU

KB77

Thank you