Aer Lingus Fleet/Routes Discussion

Jack1985 · 27-02-2019 10:27PM

Are you sure it was RJH? I believe that's the frame sold to a company in Canada where the aircraft currently is..

Shn99 · 27-02-2019 11:37PM

RJI, apologies

cson · 27-02-2019 11:55PM

kevinandrew wrote: »

Hope so. It had been confined to the IAD route for months, which tells you everything you need to know about the yields to IAD but recently it's had more varied missions with it turning up anywhere between YYZ and MIA.

The EI time ex IAD is horrendous, 5pm vs the 10pm UA offer.

You basically don't sleep on the Europe bound flight, and arrival into Dublin is typically 5am which means you can't check into a hotel room, plus you'll be knackered and want to sleep.

That's aside from having to take a half day to make the flight vs UA's late departure.

UA 10pm-10am is ideal.

alancostello · 27-02-2019 11:58PM

cson wrote: »

The EI time ex IAD is horrendous, 5pm vs the 10pm UA offer.

You basically don't sleep on the Europe bound flight, and arrival into Dublin is typically 5am which means you can't check into a hotel room, plus you'll be knackered and want to sleep.

That's aside from having to take a half day to make the flight vs UA's late departure.

UA 10pm-10am is ideal.

The earlier arrival is however much better for connecting onwards. UA isn't prioritising for connecting traffic.

Locker10a · 27-02-2019 11:59PM

cson wrote: »

The EI time ex IAD is horrendous, 5pm vs the 10pm UA offer.

You basically don't sleep on the Europe bound flight, and arrival into Dublin is typically 5am which means you can't check into a hotel room, plus you'll be knackered and want to sleep.

That's aside from having to take a half day to make the flight vs UA's late departure.

UA 10pm-10am is ideal.

But surly EI’s 5am arrival is the most ideal for onward connecting traffic who’ll be in time for most of the first wave of Euro departures.

Jack1985 · 28-02-2019 12:02AM

EI's Long Haul program is scheduled to maximize options for connections. EI101/119/129 etc are examples of this... lunchtime departure westbound, early arrival eastbound. Once a route can support a double daily rotation, the schedule typically improves as connections can be easily accommodated.

Shamrockj · 28-02-2019 12:20AM

cson wrote: »

The EI time ex IAD is horrendous, 5pm vs the 10pm UA offer.

You basically don't sleep on the Europe bound flight, and arrival into Dublin is typically 5am which means you can't check into a hotel room, plus you'll be knackered and want to sleep.

That's aside from having to take a half day to make the flight vs UA's late departure.

UA 10pm-10am is ideal.

The majority of EI's east bound flights operate at this time. It maximises connections. I personally find the jet lag not as bad either as you can go to bed when you land for a few hours

Noxegon · 28-02-2019 01:06AM

cson wrote: »

UA 10pm-10am is ideal.

We have a different definition of ideal.

I’d like a 10am-10pm flight so I can go to bed when I land!

basill · 28-02-2019 12:39PM

You will probably get something similar to that when the 321NEOs arrive and add additional capacity to the East Coast during peak times. 103 etc. Watch this space though as no one knows what their detailed plans for the new aircraft are.

Van.Bosch · 28-02-2019 02:00PM

Quarterly results for IAG show 8 A321LR neo groupwide In 2023, so if EI is taking 12 they must still be options.

cson · 28-02-2019 03:11PM

alancostello wrote: »

The earlier arrival is however much better for connecting onwards. UA isn't prioritising for connecting traffic.

Locker10a wrote: »

But surly EI’s 5am arrival is the most ideal for onward connecting traffic who’ll be in time for most of the first wave of Euro departures.

Jack1985 wrote: »

EI's Long Haul program is scheduled to maximize options for connections. EI101/119/129 etc are examples of this... lunchtime departure westbound, early arrival eastbound. Once a route can support a double daily rotation, the schedule typically improves as connections can be easily accommodated.

Shamrockj wrote: »

The majority of EI's east bound flights operate at this time. It maximises connections. I personally find the jet lag not as bad either as you can go to bed when you land for a few hours

Alright alright :pac:

Let me clarify; the Europe bound timing is absolutely horrible for O&D.

Van.Bosch · 28-02-2019 03:58PM

Shn99 wrote: »

WX Avro EI RJH flew to Rome FCO today for painting into full cs.

How long does it take to paint an Avro?

micosoft · 28-02-2019 04:23PM

cson wrote: »

The EI time ex IAD is horrendous, 5pm vs the 10pm UA offer.

You basically don't sleep on the Europe bound flight, and arrival into Dublin is typically 5am which means you can't check into a hotel room, plus you'll be knackered and want to sleep.

That's aside from having to take a half day to make the flight vs UA's late departure.

UA 10pm-10am is ideal.

Meh, I take it this week.

Like everything it depends.

For business you do sleep on a lie flat. Arrive and shower revive lounge. In Dublin for meetings at 9am. Works for me and a lot of folk.

Tenger · 28-02-2019 06:52PM

Shn99 wrote: »

WX Avro EI RJI flew to Rome FCO today for painting into full cs.

Can we really call the new livery a "full colourscheme"!!!!

Tenger · 28-02-2019 06:56PM

Van.Bosch wrote: »

Is the first EI A321LR due in July? If so, when would this start on the airbus production line?

Here is a handy link to check every now and then:
https://www.planespotters.net/production-list/Airbus/A321?p=37

I believe the 1st A321LR should be delivered last week of June. As its due to operate DUB-BDL on July 1st. I think it takes 6-8 weeks to assemble an aircraft, open to correction on that.

thedigger96 · 28-02-2019 08:17PM

Van.Bosch wrote: »

How long does it take to paint an Avro?

Due back the 7th

Cloudio9 · 28-02-2019 08:54PM

Tenger wrote: »

Here is a handy link to check every now and then:
https://www.planespotters.net/production-list/Airbus/A321?p=37

I believe the 1st A321LR should be delivered last week of June. As its due to operate DUB-BDL on July 1st. I think it takes 6-8 weeks to assemble an aircraft, open to correction on that.

Is there not a whole lot of crew training involved with a new type in the fleet?

EchoIndia · 28-02-2019 09:37PM

Cloudio9 wrote: »

Is there not a whole lot of crew training involved with a new type in the fleet?

From a crew licensing and training point of view I doubt it is an entirely new type, but no doubt others can clarify.

goingnowhere · 28-02-2019 11:45PM

Its a difference course, due the new engines, fuel system with the extra tanks and the winglets (handling difference). That can all be classroom. Beyond that it's a A320.

EI's A320 crews already have oceanic ops training and use CPDLC so flying TATL won't be a big shift.

I wouldn't be surprised to see a A321 and the aux tanks refitted doing a spin or two to Greenland doing the clearances over HF as the CPDLC is VHF only on the EI A320/1's to get some practice in. Alternatively you just fly over in the jump seat to BOS/JFK/IAD/EWR.

Cloudio9 · 28-02-2019 11:47PM

EchoIndia wrote: »

From a crew licensing and training point of view I doubt it is an entirely new type, but no doubt others can clarify.

Right but I imagine there are differences that require some level of training for pilots, cabin crew, engineering

Locker10a · 01-03-2019 12:02AM

Cloudio9 wrote: »

Right but I imagine there are differences that require some level of training for pilots, cabin crew, engineering

Yes but nothing like a whole new aircraft type! For cabin crew they’ll be a new configuration to learn, new equipment locations, and possibly one a new exit type they’ll have to learn, and that’s about it.
The biggest change/training will indeed be for engineering who’ll be dealing with a brand new type of engine

Cloudio9 · 01-03-2019 12:08AM

Locker10a wrote: »

Yes but nothing like a whole new aircraft type! For cabin crew they’ll be a new configuration to learn, new equipment locations, and possibly one a new exit type they’ll have to learn, and that’s about it.
The biggest change/training will indeed be for engineering who’ll be dealing with a brand new type of engine

Thanks so is it credible they only receive the first aircraft a week or so before it enters revenue service?

Tenger · 01-03-2019 03:18AM

Cloudio9 wrote: »

Thanks so is it credible they only receive the first aircraft a week or so before it enters revenue service?

I’m thinking it is as it’s merely a new iteration of an existing type.
I’m guessing some EI engineers are already getting training on the new engine, or at least planned to do so in April/May.
Flight crew wise, as stated above EI already have oceanic comms so no need to get familiar with that. I’m sure some procedures are changed with the extra fuel tank. I’m guessing a bit of sim time will meet requirements for familiarisation?
Cabin crew; I saw an article online a couple of weeks ago about EI signing a contract for a “door trainer” to be installed in their training facility. I assume this covers any required training. It would make sense for the interior setup (apart from the business class seats) to mimic the existing A321LR setup.
Ground crew; it’s the same as existing A321s so no need to change ground ops handling procedures.

Jamie2k9 · 01-03-2019 10:17AM

Tenger wrote: »

Here is a handy link to check every now and then:
https://www.planespotters.net/production-list/Airbus/A321?p=37

I believe the 1st A321LR should be delivered last week of June. As its due to operate DUB-BDL on July 1st. I think it takes 6-8 weeks to assemble an aircraft, open to correction on that.

Isnt the first due late April/May?

Bussywussy · 01-03-2019 10:38AM

Jamie2k9 wrote: »

Isnt the first due late April/May?

I heard first 2 weeks of June

Idbatterim · 01-03-2019 10:48AM

Walsh: right jets will drive Aer Lingus growth

https://www.independent.ie/business/irish/walsh-right-jets-will-drive-aer-lingus-growth-37866264.html

Tenger · 01-03-2019 11:03AM

Jamie2k9 wrote: »

Isnt the first due late April/May?

Im not 100%. Going on online articles and 2nd hand info from EI mates.
Q2 was original plan but Im led to believe that delayed till latter part due engine delays. ('Q2' being April-June)

Schedule shows July 1st as first A321LR revenue flight. Could well be planned to operate before then though. Just not set in stone on schedule.

Shamrockj · 01-03-2019 11:42AM

https://www.irishtimes.com/business/transport-and-tourism/aer-lingus-evaluating-15-destinations-for-new-north-american-routes-1.3809575?mode=amp

Not sure if this has been posted already. 15 routes are being shortlisted once the aircraft arrive. Lots coming this year and next so I'm sure we will see plenty happening.

basill · 01-03-2019 07:16PM

For flight crew there will be a short ground school course to cover differences and brush up on Oceanic Procedures from what I understand and no additional sim training required. Ordinary line pilots (OLPs) are unlikely to see the aircraft for months as it will be necessary to secure initially the route approvals and then training the trainers. Then they will tag along on a trip and sign off the OLPs - in essence a bit of a line check.

There may well be some changes for ground ops as I was under the impression that with the additional fuel tanks (essentially upstanding bladders/plastic tanks) that the standard ULDs will no longer fit in the holds. Hence Airbus is providing a flooring system that covers the rollers to prevent damage but it will require manual loading of bags.

Nothing has been published as yet for how its all going to operate and I wouldn't expect to see anything till much closer to the time.

alancostello · 01-03-2019 07:36PM

basill wrote: »

There may well be some changes for ground ops as I was under the impression that with the additional fuel tanks (essentially upstanding bladders/plastic tanks) that the standard ULDs will no longer fit in the holds. Hence Airbus is providing a flooring system that covers the rollers to prevent damage but it will require manual loading of bags.

Nothing has been published as yet for how its all going to operate and I wouldn't expect to see anything till much closer to the time.

As far as I'm aware you can still use containerised luggage with the ACTs, the problem is that you don't have as much capacity as you would if you bulk load.

Aer Lingus Fleet/Routes Discussion

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