Aer Lingus Fleet/Routes Discussion

Dreamliner XWB wrote: »

Are any of the EI fleet set to be retired soon? I think some of them 320's should go. Just out of curiosity, when will the first 350's be delivered?

Aer Lingus doesn't tend to replace aircraft purely on an age basis but on a number of factors which include age, operational cost, lease renewals and maintenance checks. Some aircraft have left the fleet despite being relatively young, one such example is EI-DVF which was factory fresh in 2007 but was returned to the lessor in 2013, barely 6 years old but easily replaced by a cheaper lease. EI-DET was also just 6 years old when it left the fleet while EI-CVD was much older, it was delivered in 2001 and left in 2012. 



If an airline has a lease coming up for renewal it makes perfect sense to explore the options of finding a cheaper lease somewhere else before committing again to the current lease. This can often result in the airline getting an aircraft the same age or slightly older but the low lease costs make up for the age. Aer Lingus will hopefully see some of the IAG order for A320neo's but as with everything in IAG, they'll have to prove there's a business case for them over BA, Iberia and Vueling. 

The A350s aren't coming...at least not anytime soon. Aer Lingus will have to settle for new build A333s for the next few years but I think there will come a time when Aer Lingus will require a larger transatlantic machine than the A333 and the A350 will be back in the spotlight.

Aer Lingus have 9 A350-941XWB's with options on a further 6. They are on the 'orders and deliveries' list and not the production list.
BA have one A350-1041on the production list but not started yet. It is ordered by IAG. I have a feeling maybe IAG have changed it's airlines order books. At least the Aer Ligus order has not been cancelled.

kevinandrew wrote: »

The fact IAG haven't cancelled the order suggests to me that they're either holding onto them until the time is right for Aer Lingus (when EI management can prove a business case for them) or that they have plans to move them to Iberia or British Airways in the short term.


Either way it's likely Aer Lingus will receive the aircraft eventually but not at the current timescale we're all aware of. IAG purchasing power allows flexibility in this department.


My view is IAG continuing to top up Aer Lingus with A333s over the coming years when growth requires. The A321LR will allow additional routes and frequencies on current east coast routes allowing the "DUBHUB" to reach its potential. Once certain routes are maxed out, like JFK, BOS, ORD and possibly SFO, we'll see the need for more capacity and that's when the A359 will show its worth. Realistically this will be from 2020 onwards all going well economically/politically.


The A339neo is sure to be a fine aircraft but capacity wise it's not much different to the current A333 so would be a wasted investment, especially when you consider Aer Lingus have already evaluated it and decided it didn't have much of an advantage over the A359.

Even if they are being deferred (more likely they would go to BA/IB) I would expect that to be confirmed by now.

I wonder with the commencement of level, will they prefer to give the A330 slots to that and maybe leave the A350 & A321 with EI?

In about 500 flights in over 12 or so years, I've just had my first Go Around, on EI-CVC at BHX
To say I'm chuffed is an understatement!!

Slightly OT I know, but still,

Captain_Crash wrote: »

Congrats, I have a similar number, but a diversion is my only claim to fame.

Had a diversion last January. Stuck on a plane in the desert for 5 hours is not pleasant

Was about 800ft when the runway in MAN was closed for treating due to a sudden snow flurry, and I've had landing gear indicating unlocked landing before but that's in a similar number of flights. Now my next will be doomed... We are miles off topic though!

AndyBoBandy wrote: »

In about 500 flights in over 12 or so years, I've just had my first Go Around, on EI-CVC at BHX
To say I'm chuffed is an understatement!!

Slightly OT I know, but still,

Had one in a Leeds flight about 5 years ago. Was going to a match at Elland Road when the pilot announced she wasn't allowed to land as there was fog on the runway, and something about having to see all of it. 150 out of 189 said prayers to St Anthony that we wouldn't be diverted to Doncaster (or anywhere) and miss the match. I counted 3 flyovers of the same areas before we landed.

Only had the single go around in 200+ flights, coming into Madrid seems like ATC messed it up and we ended up too high. You go up quick alright.

The go around wasn't really the highlight, the PTU seemed to be running constantly on the ground only stopped once the engines spun up beyond taxi thrust.

Had numerous shaky approaches into 28 in Dublin, were you assumed it would end up going around but never happened

Tenger wrote: »

IAG investor presentation last November had B787 and A350 deliveries shown as "to be confirmed" under their future fleet section.

I find it interesting that any marketing blurb about the new Iberia Premium Economy states that they were have it on 16 A350's. Their original order was for less than 10. Of course this increase could be due to the activation of options attached to their original order rather than a redirection of the EI order for 9 airframes.

Yeah, perhaps it's genuinely not confirmed yet. could be variables such as Level at play.

Did anyone ever see delivery dates for the 2018 deliveries? If early then you would expect seats to go on sale soon wherever they end up.

The shamrock on DUO tail is completely wrong 😀

duskyjoe wrote: »

Throw a pic so,some of DUOs tail....I'd be interested to see what your talking about

The stem on the shamrock is off compared to rest of fleet