The first 4 A350s were originally due next year before deferral, 2018 before they start arriving now. I expect at least some orders could be converted to A330 neos.

I suspect the third JFK departure would be after the second A330, perhaps 6 or 7pm to target more transfer pax from the UK, but obviously that would require US pre clearance to remain open longer.

If it happens I expect it will be around 14.00 and it will grow yield and continue to give them a better competitive advantage over rivals in attracting connecting passengers.

The 757 operation ex DUB to JFK is earmarked as an early morning departure. I'm being told by Lingus friends of mine that it's for a 7:50am departure. There's no 4th 757 for next summer as of yet. Apparently (this is a rumour network) The CRC was told by EI management last week that a 767 is being hired in and planned to cover SNN BOS (hence 757 doing DUBJFK) but maybe that is not the case and it will be covered by EI-EWR.???

My understanding is the early morning flt EI 103 will allow for a day trip return for the business type high yield passenger. Also, is the B767 not in for the upgrading of the business class cabin on the A330's.

Wait, a daytime eastbound flight? That would be fabulously awesome.

I'd like that too, but sadly I don't think that's what's being suggested. I read "day trip" as "arriving in JFK early enough in the day that you can fit in a lunchtime or afternoon meeting and leave for home the same evening."

The challenge for any airline running eastbound day flights is that they essentially sacrifice connectivity at both ends so rely entirely on point-to-point traffic.

Last night EI officially launched their new Business Class service and will include the following:

1 - New Vantage seats that recline into a fully-flat 6’6’’ bed
2 - 16-inch HD entertainment screens with multi-touch capabilities
3 - A new "massage" function in the seats
4 - Built in power points, universal sockets and USB power outlets
5 - Increased stowage space
6 - New business lounge at JFK Airport
7 - New arrivals lounge at Dublin Airport
8 - New pre-dine service available at JFK and Boston airports
9 - Dedicated check-in desks and fast-track security will be available at all airports.
10 - New Menu (changed 4 times a year)
11 - Entertainment content will include "50% more new release movies, and 100% more TV content", according to a release provided by the airline. (gate to gate)

Lie-flat beds, HD screens and touch-button massages... welcome to the new Aer Lingus Business Class - Independent.ie

I think that's why the 757 will suit very well. Lower capacity with enough demand for early morning departure. I can see it working well on such an aircraft. It'll be the only flight into DUB of this type doing daytime eastbound departure.

A colleague of mine was visiting DUB this week and was remarking on a white tailed A330 parked up between Hangars 5 and 6, been there for about a month he said, hardly a 9th A330 for EI?

Nope its EI-EWR parked up at Hangar 6.

Definitely not former EI-EWR as it's still flying in the far East! I suspect white tailed a330 probably EI-EZL, ex Meridiana/Eurofly I-EEZL

Spot on fivejuliet, it's EI-EZL. Is EWR off the cards for S15 now?

Wednesday new route will be announced and confirmed it will not be to Texas. Looking more like IAD now unless they surprise use with DTW or somewhere similar but possibly more 752 operation rather than 330.

EWR is not needed until May.

The front right hand door off EI-EZL is actually on EI-DUO at the moment.

I suppose SFO will be announced daily too. So EI-EWR when it does come in will be split between MCO and YYZ maybe? YYZ being a mixture of 757 and 330? With maybe a 757 doing some of the BOS flights freeing up another 330 for......MIA? I really like the idea of MIA with the pre-clearance, the immigration queues there are the main thing that puts me off going through MIA when I'm in that part of the world. Have they leased EI-EZL too? How many more 757s are they getting? Putting a 330 to IAD against United would be a bit of a risk surely?and seeing as they are codeshare partners, I thought going back there was unlikely? Is EI103 definitely coming back (without the SNN stopover this time obviously)? Definitely with a 757? Questions questions questions....

SFO is already on sale daily I think.

There is 6 free slots in the 2015 t/a schedule. At most 5 will be available for a route. Whatever new route is announced it won't be daily. If the 752 is replaced by 332 to YYZ that leaves 4 weekly 752 slots and 2 weekly 330 which at least one of those 330 will not be in operation.

MIA could possibly be ruled out. If they were to go into IAD with a 4 weekly 752 service it should be sustainable with UA also operating and flights times could offer a lot of better connections as both sell connections to Europe on the existing service.

Given that its more less confirmed as East Coast it is highly likely the 752 will be in charge of the new route as the 332 seat maps were listed on YYZ for a while before being removed however 332 is still scheduled. With SFO going daily they may keep 1 extra 330 slot available to allow recovery of schedules.

So 4 weekly 752 or 332 is the big question! Provided only 1 aircraft joins the fleet.

Washington it is 4 weekly.

DUB-12.45-IAD-15.35
IAD-17.20-DUB-05.30

Also 3rd daily 752 service to JFK confirmed.
DUB-07.50-JFK-10.20
JFK-12.00-DUB-23.40

Shannon gets a 767 based for 12 peak weeks of the summer while the 752 does the extra DUB-JFK. SNN-BOS will see the increased capacity only.

Over all an extra 14 weekly return flights peak season with 7 weekly outside of this.

The new 0750 departure to JFK is apparently only for the peak June-July-August period. Will US preclearance open earlier for it, or will it not have preclearance?