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

The first A321XLR for Aer Lingus, test reg D-AZXY, is currently on its 7th test flight. I’m guessing Airbus need as much data as possible as they push for entry into service, I believe the first delivery to Iberia has slipped by a couple of weeks again.

It also probably isn’t ideal for Airbus to have an aircraft considerably further along in production and testing compared to the one they’re actually supposed to deliver first.

The first one for Iberia, test reg D-AVYR, doesn’t appear to have flown at all yet.

It’s hard to tell from the photos of EI-XLR but it doesn’t appear to have its cabin fitted yet. Usually the business class seat is visible in a few of the windows but that doesn’t seem to be the case yet.

As for the aircraft otherwise being ready, it’s impossible to tell but it’s obviously much further ahead in production and testing than the actual first delivery, Iberia’s EC-OIL, which has yet to even have an engine run.

The amount of test flights EI-XLR has had is interesting though, this is possibly because it’s the first production aircraft but not the first one to be delivered so they’re making the most of it for data and additional certification purposes while they can.

EC-OIL had an engine run and taxi test today.

Nashville is one of the routes.

it was due to start in 2019, then there was delays with aircraft deliveries and was pushed back until 2020 hit and then Covid hit.

https://www.irishtimes.com/business/transport-and-tourism/aer-lingus-postpones-launch-of-dublin-montreal-route-1.3814182

Probably not Raleigh anymore since it's close to CLT where AA already operate to

I kind of already know the answer to this but with more aircraft and more North American routes, does this not leave EI very exposed should things go tits up in the US with a potential return of Trump, the general American economy and all. EI could be left with a hell of a lot of aircraft should the US catch a cold.

CPT was talked about in 2003, the short lived service to Dubai in 2006. I would have thought that HKG with connections with CX would have been a good move.

If they keep adding US flights will they need to expand the short haul network to meet demand?

Maybe beef up the network for the 2nd wave of flights coming in from the US?

*I realize all the above will be influenced by the cap

It's possible but in small amounts. At the moment they will have to reduce short haul flying to be able to expand on long-haul. Having said that, it's not impossible to make some small but strategic moves. Example is Rome being increased to 3 times a day with an overnighting aircraft which seems to have been successful.

They don’t have any aircraft orders after the forthcoming XLR’s so who knows. Growth doesn’t always have to be new routes. A lot of expansion has been existing routes being increased over time.
I think there is a lot of room to expand on existing routes, you could see a 3rd daily flight to JFK and BOS at some stage possibly and a second daily on either SFO or LAX was discussed at one point.