Originally Posted by
roverman
I've just booked MAN-JFK-MAN on Aer Lingus, outbound in late April returning mid-May. A good deal at £490pp including checked bag. I had a little trouble convincing my partner that going on Aer Lingus did not involve a change of plane in Dublin. Indeed when you search MAN-NYC a number of options come up via DUB. I am pleased to say that for once it was cheaper to fly direct! But it makes me wonder whether there is a consumer-perception that an 'Irish' airline flying from the UK to USA is not a direct service, which may be losing some market share. I'm pleased that we have this option, and some competition for Virgin, but why could BA not have set up the lower-cost subsidiary instead of Aer Lingus, to fly the MAN services for IAG using the more familiar (in the UK/USA) BA branding?
I believe the plan originally was to base several BA 777-200s at MAN. I think it changed because Aer Lingus had spare aircraft.