Aer Lingus Fleet/Routes Discussion

LiamaDelta · 24-05-2019 12:45PM

adam88 wrote: »

Sorry for this, don’t think it’s deserving of its own thread,,, We ba 321 reg g-medn this morning in Dublin. It has four full sized doors. What’s the deal with that. Through the 321 only had three full doors. Is the cabin different inside it. Full business product ??

Not sure if they've been refitted now, but up to two years ago some of the A321's were ex BMI and they still had the mid-range business cabin. 2+1 across and almost lie flat.

goingnowhere · 24-05-2019 01:46PM

Its been refitted sadly

kevinandrew · 25-05-2019 03:37AM

First A321LR for Aer Lingus now in full colours.

https://www.planespotters.net/photo/955904/d-ayav-aer-lingus-airbus-a321-253nx

St. Ruadán

cson · 25-05-2019 03:01PM

Assuming the German flag on the tail will be removed once its done its testing and reverts to its Irish reg?

Locker10a · 25-05-2019 03:06PM

cson wrote: »

Assuming the German flag on the tail will be removed once its done its testing and reverts to its Irish reg?

Of course

sherology · 25-05-2019 03:17PM

Great to see... Thanks.

kevinandrew · 25-05-2019 04:53PM

On closer inspection, I'm even more confused by the door configuration. It looks like they've deactivated door 3 and activated the second optional overwing exit which would make them the only A321LR customer so far to do this.

This, combined with the online seat map, is a little worrying as it essentially confirms Aer Lingus has opted for a high density door configuration with a half rear galley, three rear toilets and nothing else.

Compared to other operators, this is pretty harsh for passengers and crew alike, for example, TAP has opted for a full rear galley and two toilets + door 3 and a single toilet just behind business class. Air Transat has gone for a full rear galley and one toilet + two mid-cabin toilets at door 3 so both airlines have facilities evenly spread and keep a fully functional rear galley, perfect for transatlantic operations.

Of course, the seatmap online could be wrong...

sherology · 25-05-2019 06:29PM

That's what I was thinking... Not necessarily the spaceflex/half-galley, but the inability of crew to have a private area. The current a321 with EI has a couple of toilets before the back door, so the whole rear is curtained off for crew and doors/galley. On a 7hr flight I would assume crew would want privacy during their break moreso than on shorthaul... And passengers the ability to grab a water from somewhere accessible (like the forward door 2 galley on the a330), without annoying the resting crew.

It's kind of a shorthaul layout on a longhaul operation.

With EI unions, I can't imagine the online layout is 'approved'... Then again... It's a lease... Maybe the lessor wanted the spaceflex layout for future flexibility.

Time will tell.

Shamrockj · 25-05-2019 08:20PM

kevinandrew wrote: »

On closer inspection, I'm even more confused by the door configuration. It looks like they've deactivated door 3 and activated the second optional overwing exit which would make them the only A321LR customer so far to do this.

This, combined with the online seat map, is a little worrying as it essentially confirms Aer Lingus has opted for a high density door configuration with a half rear galley, three rear toilets and nothing else.

Compared to other operators, this is pretty harsh for passengers and crew alike, for example, TAP has opted for a full rear galley and two toilets + door 3 and a single toilet just behind business class. Air Transat has gone for a full rear galley and one toilet + two mid-cabin toilets at door 3 so both airlines have facilities evenly spread and keep a fully functional rear galley, perfect for transatlantic operations.

Of course, the seatmap online could be wrong...

Turkish Airlines operate the A321NEO which is basically the same as the LR minus extra fuel tanks with doors 3 deactivated and the 4 over wing exits currently.

I honestly cant see them opting for the toilets in the rear of the aircraft configuration. There wouldn't be enough space for all the catering on a transatlantic flight. Plus the 757 has a full galley and it's even less passengers but I could be wrong.. we will find out!

Skidfingers · 27-05-2019 04:47PM

I'm flying to LA next week with Aer Lingus. Does anyone know what the WiFi is like on the flight or have had any experience with it? I've heard a few people saying it doesn't work.

jesus_thats_gre · 27-05-2019 05:09PM

It's rubbish basically - based on 7/8 flights.

NH2013 · 27-05-2019 05:47PM

Yeh, its only good for emails and some light browsing, not great for websites with a lot of images (insta/facebook etc) and definitely no good for streaming. Fine if you want to get some work done while in the air and send off emails but that's about it.

Also I read recently that Panasonic, the company that manages the internet on board Aer Lingus flights, had a satellite malfunction and burn up in space recently in the last few weeks leaving a large coverage gap over the Atlantic, and significantly reducing speed further in other areas as other satellites take up the slack.

Aer Lingus on board WiFi is all satellite based, which is extremely slow and highly expensive as well, there's no ground based element to it as it's mostly used over the ocean.

Tenger · 27-05-2019 06:56PM

sherology wrote: »

..............
It's kind of a shorthaul layout on a longhaul operation.........
....................Time will tell.

That’s my thought on the A321LR. Cabin flex is designed to give a better seat numbers for the airline. With its smaller galley and smaller toilets allowing more seats.
The ‘fuel tanks’ in the hold reduce baggage and cargo space.
So you have a short haul cabin operating medium/long haul flights of up to 8 hours duration (DUB-ORD), the expected XLR variant will exacerbate this with 4 of those fuel ‘tanks’ in the hold.

I remember working on the A321s when EI got them back in 98/99. Lots of galley space as it was full service back then. Everyone got a tray or a sandwich. EI transatlantic service is a mealtray for each pax in Economy, along with a snack before landing into the US.
From chatting a while back to 2 mates who are still in Aer Lingus, they tell me that the B757 struggles to hold all the catering. I’m guessing the A321LR will have less storage in the galley?

Skidfingers · 28-05-2019 08:48AM

NH2013 wrote: »

Yeh, its only good for emails and some light browsing, not great for websites with a lot of images (insta/facebook etc) and definitely no good for streaming. Fine if you want to get some work done while in the air and send off emails but that's about it.

Also I read recently that Panasonic, the company that manages the internet on board Aer Lingus flights, had a satellite malfunction and burn up in space recently in the last few weeks leaving a large coverage gap over the Atlantic, and significantly reducing speed further in other areas as other satellites take up the slack.

Aer Lingus on board WiFi is all satellite based, which is extremely slow and highly expensive as well, there's no ground based element to it as it's mostly used over the ocean.

Thanks for the reply. It would be mainly Snapchat/Insta/Facebook I'd be using it for. It's best to probably leave it so.

eamo_c · 28-05-2019 09:56AM

Anyone know what plane is flying DUB-IAD today? Will decide whether to use an upgrade voucher if it's not EI-GEY

Shamrockj · 28-05-2019 10:21AM

eamo_c wrote: »

Anyone know what plane is flying DUB-IAD today? Will decide whether to use an upgrade voucher if it's not EI-GEY

It's down as -EWR at the moment

Jack1985 · 28-05-2019 10:59PM

Tenger wrote: »

That’s my thought on the A321LR. Cabin flex is designed to give a better seat numbers for the airline. With its smaller galley and smaller toilets allowing more seats.
The ‘fuel tanks’ in the hold reduce baggage and cargo space.
So you have a short haul cabin operating medium/long haul flights of up to 8 hours duration (DUB-ORD), the expected XLR variant will exacerbate this with 4 of those fuel ‘tanks’ in the hold.

I remember working on the A321s when EI got them back in 98/99. Lots of galley space as it was full service back then. Everyone got a tray or a sandwich. EI transatlantic service is a mealtray for each pax in Economy, along with a snack before landing into the US.
From chatting a while back to 2 mates who are still in Aer Lingus, they tell me that the B757 struggles to hold all the catering. I’m guessing the A321LR will have less storage in the galley?

The below is accurate however by maximising tail space they have deep core ovens and cart stowage space which should actually allow stowage off all catering requirements (unlike the 757 with blocked off overhead bins from 31-32). It just means less manoeuvring space and the risk of pax striking toilet doors or moving carts increases. More movement required to work in the galleys so I’d expect H&S issues to be above average on it. Other airlines with Space Flex have either removed it (Delta) or pointed out it increases their own Cabin Crews workload.

Locker10a · 28-05-2019 11:11PM

Jack1985 wrote: »

The below is accurate however by maximising tail space they have deep core ovens and cart stowage space which should actually allow stowage off all catering requirements (unlike the 757 with blocked off overhead bins from 31-32). It just means less manoeuvring space and the risk of pax striking toilet doors or moving carts increases. More movement required to work in the galleys so I’d expect H&S issues to be above average on it. Other airlines with Space Flex have either removed it (Delta) or pointed out it increases their own Cabin Crews workload.

Yeah my old company have that new flex galley, they're notoriously poor quality. Theres pulley systems to bring forward double stowage carts and canisters, but the system is constantly broken. This has caused numerous personal injuries to crew who have to crew into the trolley stowages to physically pull out the behind cart.
Aer Lingus are about to get a rude awakening here when their “looks great on paper/€” actually results in injury and a dispute with crew

Jamie2k9 · 29-05-2019 10:18PM

A321LR showing (April 2020) on DUB-IAD/PHL/BDL and SNN-BOS. Not looked at adjustments over winter.

Jack1985 · 31-05-2019 10:08PM

757 operation update with planned exits from fleet as below as the ASL operations comes to a planned close (subject to change);

EI-LBR 31/10/19
EI-LBS 30/11/19
EI-LBT 30/12/19
EI-CJX 30/04/20

L1011 · 31-05-2019 10:09PM

The oddball staying til last is the bit nobody expected!

goingnowhere · 01-06-2019 05:48AM

CJX was added more than a year after the first three so presumably has more time left before a major check

Tenger · 01-06-2019 12:43PM

Nice one getting those end of service dates.

On a related note does anyone have am image or a link with the planned EI fleet for mid 2020s. Im thinking it was part of an IAG presentation within the last 6 months.
I usually take a screenshot or make a note of those things. (Obviously the A321LR delays werent factored in at that time)

sherology · 01-06-2019 03:49PM

Glad they're replacing 757s and 'then' further growing the fleet with LRs (as opposed to keeping the 757/ASL) operation and growing from this summer. A bit too much wet-lease going on to keep the brand-image. A harmonious fleet and cabin product would alleviate some of the (valid) negativity you see here.

Wonder if they'll ever go all jet and remove the ATRs... As fuel efficient as they are.

kevinandrew · 01-06-2019 04:54PM

sherology wrote: »

Glad they're replacing 757s and 'then' further growing the fleet with LRs (as opposed to keeping the 757/ASL) operation and growing from this summer. A bit too much wet-lease going on to keep the brand-image. A harmonious fleet and cabin product would alleviate some of the (valid) negativity you see here.

Wonder if they'll ever go all jet and remove the ATRs... As fuel efficient as they are.

Huh?

Firstly, the ASL operated 757s are pretty much Aer Lingus in all but operating license, cabin crew are all Aer Lingus, many of the pilots are on secondment from Aer Lingus and the product is completely aligned apart from the wifi availability. Most passengers couldn't tell a 757 from an A321 if one landed in their back garden so that's not a concern.

Aer Lingus Regional by Stobart is again essentially Aer Lingus but with turboprops aka the modern day Aer Lingus Commuter; same on board product, same branding, same uniforms. There is nothing inconsistent about it. Same goes for Aer Lingus by CityJet, it's simply Aer Lingus with an Avro, same on board product, same branding, same uniforms and same standards.

What negativity on here are you referring to exactly? The biggest complaint I've seen in recent months appears to be about EI-GEY and it's business product which ironically has absolutely nothing to do with "too much wet-lease going on" because it's operated by Aer Lingus itself!

Tenger · 01-06-2019 07:52PM

sherology wrote: »

................A bit too much wet-lease going on to keep the brand-image...........

Wonder if they'll ever go all jet and remove the ATRs... As fuel efficient as they are.

As above, I’m not sure on your point. 12 A330s supplented by 4x B757 with close to identical product, then 1 non standard business class on a single A330 but everything else the same.
As opposed to BA with B747s, B777s, A380s with a range of ages and cabin fittings.

As for going “all jet”, I think you made your own question redundant. Why go “all jet” just to look fancy/please spotters while increasing costs at the same time.

Noxegon · 02-06-2019 05:15PM

EI109 cancelled, aircraft tech. Looking at a ridiculously long queue of people trying to get back through passport control.

ohigg84 · 02-06-2019 07:14PM

Noxegon wrote: »

EI109 cancelled, aircraft tech. Looking at a ridiculously long queue of people trying to get back through passport control.

Perhaps GAJ was scheduled to operate it, but it's on the 143 to Seattle now, flight took off almost 1.5 hrs late.

DAA must have gone tech..

rushfan · 02-06-2019 07:41PM

ohigg84 wrote:

DAA must have gone tech..

It was towed to the hangar around 4pm, suggesting it did go tech.

Tenger · 02-06-2019 08:10PM

There’s 300 ppl (and 300 in JFK) looking for rerouting and/or compensation.
That’s a big whack in the budget at the first big weekend of the Summer.

Aer Lingus Fleet/Routes Discussion

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