Aer Lingus - 5

[Jamie2k9]

According to EI timetable for Winter

DUB - LHR - 13 daily (EI) (A320 & A321)
DUB - LHR - 4 daily (BMI) (A319)

ORK - LHR - 4 daily (A320)

SNN - LHR - 3 daily (A320)

BFS - LHR - 3 daily (A320)

I think SNN or DUB will get the incresed flights rather than BFS.

[Just a spotter]

I accept that I am wading out well beyond my depth here; but I would have through that any existing VS slot pairs would be optimised (as closely as can be done at LHR) for turning around a widebody, and wouldn't be overly suitable for maximising the usage of an A320/A321 on a short haul operation. Unless of course, VS are jiggling slots to create new pairs that are better suited as sub lets.

JAS (now paddling back to the shallow end)

[airbourne]

According to Jamie's figures, thats 23 slot pairs EI have at heathrow.

According to this old newspaper article, EI own 23 slot pairs:

Aer Lingus's Heathrow slots worth €700m - Irish, Business - Independent.ie

So why are they leasing?

BUT, if memory serves me correctly, was there some talk a while ago about EI leasing a pair of slots to Continental?

[ayroplain]

Aer Lingus aircraft

Got a call from a relative today. She was looking to book flights DUB to Malaga in October. When she clicked on the flight no. the designated aircraft is described simply as a "3P0". I checked it out and, indeed, this is what is shown on the flights I looked at. Anyone any idea what this means?

[Kavs8]

3PO = A330-300, 32Y = A330-200.

---------------------------------

Slots, Aer Lingus own 23 slots using them to their capacity.

(This Summer) - DUB (12), ORK (4), BFS (4), SNN (3) = (23)
(This Winter) - DUB (12), ORK (4), BFS (3), SNN (3) = (22)

I cant see them expanding at LHR (Europe) , even though they would force BA to slash prices!

[Jamie2k9]

According to EI booking system & winter timetable.

13 daily - DUB - LHR (All Year)

[ayroplain]

Thanks, Kavs8.
A bit odd that. Wonder why they are not designated "Airbus Industrie A330" or "Airbus Industrie A333" or similar considering all the other aircraft get the full treatment, i.e. "Airbus Industrie A320".

[Noxegon]

I also wonder if it's really economical to use an A330 on the DUB/AGP run. But I guess they know what they're doing...

[airbourne]

Im open to correction, but there is time to send the A330 that comes in from JFK at 5am on a run down to Malaga. The 104 gets in at 5am, then goes down to Malaga, returns and then operates the 109 back to JFK.

[nivsy]

Flights by EI A330 have been regular at AGP (Malaga) for a number of years now during he summer season. Also looks quite pretty actually on final approach over the sea.


Nivsy

[EI Premier]

A330 Agp

Indeed, the A330 from the EI104 is almost always the A330 sent to AGP. Sometimes, it can also be the A330 from the early Boston arrival.

Regarding the utilisation of the A330 on the DUB-AGP-DUB route - it absolutely makes sense for EI and when loads are strong - at 70% or more, this route makes very good money.

The Premier cabin sold on this route as Y for example generates positive ancillary revenue contributions, potentially up to €1,400 each way.

Doing some analysis, you can see quite quickly how EI can easily make €4000 - €5000 of a Profit on this route on the basis of strong demand.

EI Premier

[potkettleblack]

Airbus originally designed the A330 for these high density relatively short route segments. Its a perfect fit. Across AsiA and the ME there are numerous examples of this.

[Bearcat]

slightly side tracking.....remember in 94 when air inter used the 330's in 94 on the CDG-TLS run? these were the days before any no one even dreamt the 330 would have been such as performer in time to come. when aer lingus put the orders in for 330's then, airbus were nearly doing cartwheels of joy down the corridors of their offices such was the importance of the order......aer lingus then did the etops proving flights. a lot of apu's were calved doing that period turning them on/off at altitude. a330 is an amazing aircraft and has been a very important choice for aer lingus re continuity of atlantic ops in dark times....loads i hear are very good these days on the pond?? prem whats the story here?

[Kavs8]

Beautiful EI A320!

Just after a wash and boarding at T2 dont you just love EI A320's! http://www.asmirnov.org/blog/wp-cont...gus_dublin.jpg

[riptack]

Alliance

Anymore news on EI joining an alliance?

[Callsign Kilo]

Are EI celebrating some sort of anniversary soon? I heard news of a 320/321 being painted in the 1960s 'Aer Lingus International' scheme. Would look very smart indeed

[840]

75 years next year, but it would seem a bit premature.

[Stevek]

Aer Lingus will have a retro jet next year. Using the scheme from the 70's as far as I recall.

Third one down. Picture courtesy or Tigerbears Flickr.

[Kavs8]

Aer Lingus gearing up for alliance?

A few improvments to the website, through the booking process now changed into three categorys, ''Low'' , ''Best'' & ''Flexi'' - Short Haul & ''Low'', ''Best'' & ''Business'' - Long Haul. Also EI introducing Business class services (previously not used on MCO flights) to Orlando from 21st September 2010. They really are changing their stance from ''Low Fares way better''

[840]

I don't see this "Best" option on short-haul and I looked at a number of routes (DUB-LHR, DUB-CDG, ORK-LHR, ORK-AMS).

What is it? The minimum level of flight that awards Gold Circle points?

I always felt they could generate a bit of extra revenue by offering that as an option.