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

IAG’s management should have a serious think about what their airlines are trying to be. In my view this applies particularly to EI who seem to me to be focused on either trying to compete with FR in Europe, or on cheap TA flights. For the former, go on to FR24 and apply a filter to only show FR aircraft Europe-wide. Then do the same for EI. See the difference?

EI has to compete with FR to a degree, but at the disproportionate flight volumes, I would suggest that product differentiation might be as important as price. I would love to see a return to UK/European business class of some sort, whether it’s the sliding curtain and mid-seat block-out per Aerspace or BA Club, or a better hard product per AA/DL.

I fear a ‘compete with FR’ mindset has influenced decisions on the A321LR layout where as others have commented validly above, the urge to squeeze in the maximum possible economy seats detracts from the customer experience. This may be fine if you’re after european bucket-and-spade routes, but not TA in my view. It’s not good for the pax-ex or crew.

There’s some implied criticism of the A321 above. The plane is fine, I had yet another very pleasant flight on the 111 last week with absolutely no complaints. The mainstream US carriers are backing the plane to replace their 757s, some with exciting cabin configuration plans, for example AA’s 50 XLRs will have 20 business class ‘Flagship suites’ and 12 premium economy seats as well as their ‘main cabin’ offering. I’m sure others will compete.

I think this is the market EI’s 321LRs and XLRs need to be in, whether in competition, or particularly in collaboration (with AA?). Sell ‘cheap’ TA tickets by all means, but also offer and focus on the better, differentiated products.

I really hope EI think carefully about the configuration of their XLRs and get it right (whether aligned with my view or otherwise). (And please, for those of us that travel long haul too often, join Oneworld in some way shape or form soon…!)

In a perverse way you could have people flying indirect to avoid preclearance!

Just a thought about PE, and I say this knowing nothing at all.

EI operate their 330 flights with 8 crew. 2 in the front and 6 down the back.

I know Prem Economy is not a wholly seperate cabin but would you not need at least 1 or more crew to look after PE. Would 4 be enough for all the remainder of the economy cabin?

So that might put off the beancounters to have to pay someone else per flight?

3rd in J works in economy too and starts in Economy (drinks service) before heading to Business so technically its 2 and a half in J!

EI don't really have PE, they just have 'preferred' seats, so there's no increase in service to give.

I know this. The question was raised about EI introducing a hard Econ+ product and I was just spitballing.

Flew myself with CO to EWR in the late 90’s on a 757 (and 764). Up until 9/11 very few airlines flew them across the ditch, CO might have been the only one infact, but not long after the line closed they became a common sight.

I agree fully. The aerspace brand and service offering on X rows of seats at the front, in a 2-2 hard-product (preferably; 'plush/embellished' economy seats if not) would be full. Why... People are paying for front rows, bags, food, lounge access etc. currently... Wrap it up and give it/them bit of exclusivity.

Doesn't need to have oodles of legroom, but a different seat indicates 'differentiation'. No need for a curtain... it's pretenious... hard-product and service.

Eurobusiness is a joke and so is semi-dying. Price 'aerspace' for the route-profile/customer profile, with avios/same-day upgrades if lightly filled.

Plenty of well-to-do people in Ireland (and those dubhub'ing) that literally can't spend their money (not me). Help them. EI management don't seem to have faith in it's ability to be a great boutique airline.

The Belfast based aircraft positioned into Cork last night -

looks like last of AGP flights for the season are being operated by Cork aircraft vs Dublin all summer, hence 3 aircraft operating temporarily and then back to 2

I've just checked my travel log –– I have 48 flights recorded over the last three calendar years.

Aer Lingus appears four times in that list, and three of those were transatlantic. The other was operated by Emerald.

For purposes of comparison, Ryanair appears 19 times.

Stobart Air were good from Cork, but I wouldn't want Emerald I don't think. Their on-time performance is still absolutely woeful. And its not just "the usual problems", its them too.

Well STK are gone so you are SOL there. Some service is better than no service. I would 'expect' that they will use the winter schedule to sort things out and start afresh when the summer schedule starts next year.