Originally Posted by
Una Due Tfc
The Transatlantic market ex Ireland was extremely peaky, in Summer all 3 747s were full, However during winter, only two 747s were needed, with the 3rd often leased out to the above mentioned, or LAN Chile, or Air Jamaica.
That about sums up really the EI 747's.
EI were amongst the first along with most major National airlines such as KLM & BOAC to order their first 747 for early delivery in 1970 but was delivered in 3/1971. The airline's 2nd jumbo came shortly after.
Massive oil price hike in 1973 and the 747's proved for EI an expensive bird to fly.
EI leased one to Air Siam (both 747's went to Air Siam but not at the same time) and for East African Airways for the LHR FRA NBO run.
A while later it went on a long lease to BA and BCAL (aka Paddy Zulu)
Both were also used on IT holiday charter flights to the Med and the Canaries, as well as the EI Transatlantic flights from DUB & SNN to BOS & JFK, plus trooping flights for the US.
The first Aer Lingus 747 was registered EI-ASI and was leased to Air Siam in 1973
EI-ASJ was the second to join the fleet, arriving around a month later, from 1974 it spent periods on lease to East African, Air Siam, British Airways and British Caledonian Airways.
They both stayed with Aer Lingus until 1995.
In 1979 EI-BED was obtained from LH a 747-130, and saw leases with Air Algerie. Air Jamaica, Qantas, and LAN. Sold 1994.
The fourth 747 to fly for Aer Lingus was a very brief stint indeed. Leased from Alitalia a 747-143 in 1976, I-DEME operated for less than a month with the Irish carrier, suggesting it was covering one of the others undergoing maintenance or out on lease.
Seems not until 1994 did Airbus seem to get EI to take A330's.