Pushed back at 13.36, tech aircraft but after a long time decided to offload passengers and allocate the YYZ aircraft.

Aer Lingus will apparently introduce a new premium product on short haul routes, named 'Aer Space' it will feature an empty middle seat, free snacks/drinks and priority boarding/baggage. Expected to be rolled out towards the end of the year according to Mike Rutter.

Let's hope that as a economy passenger I am allocated a seat in the same row as someone that has paid for "aer space". Get me a bit more room without paying the premium

It sounds as if they are just bringing in what most other Euro carriers market as short haul business class, which I thought EI did away with years ago.

I imagine it'll be a separate cabin with a curtain between normal economy and Aer Space. If someone wants the middle seat free then they pay to travel in the Aer Space cabin otherwise you risk having someone next to you.

It won't be a separate cabin with a curtain divider - if it was then APD would be doubled. It's all to do with the takeover/merger (however it is described) into IAG as OneWorld members must have a European "business" offering. This is simply the way round it - differentiation between those in cattle class and those not - middle seat and free refreshments - thats it!

It sounds like that would be hard to manage onboard though without some kind of divide. Unless EI make it so that someone on Aer Space can sit in, for example, rows 1-6 and those without Aer Space in 6 onwards but that still means there are technically 2 different cabins onboard with 2 levels of service.

Like someone suggested earlier. I could buy the cheapest ticket going and someone else may decide to buy the highest Aer Space fare. Without separate cabins, If that person sits next to me then we both get the benefit as their fare ensures no one next to them. They don't need to call it Business but much like every other Euro Carrier I've seen, Aer Space is essentially business class. Same seats as Y class, middle seat blocked and free catering.

Was planed regardless of OW and IAG.

It will be row specific so no confusion.

Going back to the days when the 321's had Mid Galleys they were regularly filled with Premier Pax using a crew back then of 8.

The 321's now have 5 CC on-board, so I wonder do they plan on leaving this unchanged.

AMS today
 

EI A332 EWR ops DubAmsDub today to bring home pax from prev xxld A320 x2
Due bad weather, winds in AMS , is it that bad? BRU jammed with diverts !

'One World....must have a European Business class offering'.

Unsure about that, Air Berlin for instance? 'ZG

H1 Results
 

EI posted loses of 13.9 million (9.9 million H1-14), revenue was up over the same period but exchange rates damaged them heavily during the period.

Q3 is the big one and expected to see a good improvement over last year.

Also conformation of the Aer Space product and possibility of B752 been fitted out with new J class.

http://corporate.aerlingus.com/media...tion_FINAL.pdf

Re equipping the 752 business cabin?
I thought the 752 was to exit service in early 2017.
Hardly worth it.

Probally stay until they get the 321LR, a forth 752 is planned to be part of the 2016 fleet.

EI-EIDW - re your post on the 21st. Do you have any recollection of how EI handled the YYZ flight after its aircraft was reallocated to 103? Or was 103's fixed in time for on-time/not completely outrageously delayed departure? These don't seem like great numbers and reflect the delays I experienced when taking 128/129 in the winter.

It operated but around 4.5 hours late, the 752's going tech like that since they commenced EI op's is very very rare.

Part of the problem with the outbound punctuality is it generally uses gate 421/423 which stands were specifically aligned to handle 3 752's together and the last US 752 is at 12.55 however it's can be delayed often for a whole string of reasons if that flight is departing upstarts at those gates. It does changes gates which help but to be honest don't do a lot, late connections play a small role also.

Just one of those flights that's schedule is very tight, IAD is also s tight schedule.

Air Canada have been poor this year also, lunchtime flight regularly delayed and a lot more than EI.

New Routes
 

Next month 2 routes will finally be announced and while WC is confirmed, the short list appears for the EC to be:

East Coast - Philadelphia, New York-Newark, New York-La Guardia, Miami and Bradley international

Bradley international have offered EI $5 million to provide a daily service which would open up Europe, DL dropped AMS in 2009.

West Coast - Las Angles

Extra capacity will also be provided on existing service if they receive the second 2 A333 and 1 B752

In recent weeks IAG have converted options into firm orders for 3 A333, 8 A350 (delivery from next year for A333 anyway up to 2021) as well and 20 A320 NEO for delivery in 2020-2021.

I expect lots will be in EI colors and note these exclude the Iberia fleet order for long haul craft and of course BA don't operate the A333.

We are unlikely to hear from IAG until November for EI plans so may not be confirmed until then.

Unless it's a Saturday only service, LaGuardia-DUB would be illegal under US law. 6 days a week there is a distance restriction of 1500miles on services from La Guardia, only exception allowed being Denver

LGA- as mentioned, the perimeter rule prevents this!
EWR- United has 2 flights per day, and EI is unlikely to spilt it's NYC operations. After operating 3 daily JFK this summer from DUB, I can't see them adding EWR!

PHL and MIA are most likely! I think it'll be MIA! 3 or 4 weekly LAX and 3 weekly MIA on a 330. The extra 757 will be used for the 3rd JFK flight!

I'd be very disappointed if the new routes turned out to be duplicates of those offered by other carriers. There are plenty of big areas of the US unserved from Ireland – such as Texas.

Bradley Int'l would be an interesting choice –*I can't see much outbound traffic from Ireland, but the other way?

There's a few financial firms nearby with offices in Dublin. However, I do suspect its a pipe dream - whether the 5M bucks apparently on the table is enough of a bribe to prove it doesn't work over a summer season or two is another question.