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

The next A321XLR, EI-XLU, still has its tail in primer but was at least on the move in Hamburg this week.

https://flic.kr/p/2r9fvG9

This aircraft was previously seen stored for a number of months with a white tail and bare fuselage before going in for paint, however it emerged with its tail removed. It was then seen sporting this primer tail which it has had since early April.

Looks like there was a panel on the belly fairing replaced.

The current commercial/brand team are against the idea of any more retro liveries on the fleet so this is unfortunately highly unlikely

Indeed it's a sad time for the avgeek community in general.

For aircraft enthusiasts, the current airline brands are so boring, tasteless and the aircraft too, just don't have any character.

There are a few airlines that do thankfully have attractive liveries, especially Ethiad.

Both liveries are distinctive alright, I just wish they'd paint the engines to match or at least complement the fuselage. The white engines look a little awkward.

It does appear that retro liveries are a fading trend, I'd love to see the 70s green top livery on an XLR but it looks very unlikely to ever happen. Aer Lingus has become incredibly corporate and soulless under IAG, it wouldn't surprise me if nothing at all was planned for the 90th anniversary and all they produce is an uninspired press release, a 20% off seat sale to 'celebrate' and some poorly taken photos on a dull Dublin ramp that'll end up lost in the media centre.