Aer Lingus 747s - did they consider an alternative?

[Una Due Tfc]

Originally Posted by Mooncrest

I'm starting to think that, for Aer Lingus, the 747 was a status aeroplane to begin with but they grew to quite like it and made the best possible use of its versatility, capacity and attractiveness as a leasing aeroplane (along with its other Boeings). I'm sure there must have been opportunities in the early to mid 1970s for the company to purchase the TriStar or DC10 but they stuck faithfully with their their three jumbos. And, as was often the case with Aer Lingus, if they didn't have work for their aeroplanes, they would lease them to out to another carrier and make money from them that way.

Indeed, Aer Lingus pioneered aircraft leasing. One Tony Ryan was instrumental in developing their aircraft leasing arm when he worked there, before going on to found Guinness Peat Aviation, ultimately selling that to General Electric to form GECAS, oh and in between that he founded a little know airline called Ryanair. He died a billionaire in 2007.

[SpringHeeledJack]

Don't forget that in the 70's EI did a lot of lease work - it wasn't just the 747's, but the 737's and 707's were often leased out during this period as well.

I remember that they had a United Airlines 737 flying for them in the 70's for a year or so and I think that this was to fill in a gap of lease that went on for too long of one of their own 737's. Does anyone remember this situation ?

[Mooncrest]

Originally Posted by SpringHeeledJack

I remember that they had a United Airlines 737 flying for them in the 70's for a year or so and I think that this was to fill in a gap of lease that went on for too long of one of their own 737's. Does anyone remember this situation ?

I don't remember but I wonder if it was the aeroplane that ended up with Britannia as G-AZNZ ? That was a -222.

[TCU]

Originally Posted by Skipness One Foxtrot

Caledonian, the post merger British Airtours was the airline. I loved the Aer Lingus / Cally hybrid with full EI colours and the lion rampant logo.

There are some super photo's online of G-BBAF resplendent in full Aer Lingus colours

[jensdad]

Originally Posted by Geordie_Expat

If memory serves (which is questionable these days), I do believe that an Aer Lingus 747 was the first 747 to land at Edinburgh after the new airport/runway opened, mid-70s, bringing fans to the Six Nations game.

An Aer Lingus 707 also operated the first transatlantic flight from our local as well, taking a church choir (from somewhere in South Tyneside I think) to the states

[Liffy 1M]

Originally Posted by SpringHeeledJack

I remember that they had a United Airlines 737 flying for them in the 70's for a year or so and I think that this was to fill in a gap of lease that went on for too long of one of their own 737's. Does anyone remember this situation ?

That was EI-ASK, ex-N9066U, which was leased in for two summers: 1974 and 1975. In both cases it retained part of the United livery, as seen in the images linked below.

Flickr Slideshows (Photostreams)

Flickr Slideshows (Photostreams)

[Captain Capstan]

Originally Posted by Mooncrest

I don't remember but I wonder if it was the aeroplane that ended up with Britannia as G-AZNZ ? That was a -222.

NZ came from United direct to Britannia.

[WHBM]

Originally Posted by Peter47

I don't know if Aer Lingus was part of ATLAS or KSSU, they certainly did a lot of third party maintenance work but it may have been that the the small fleet size was not such a problem..

I believe that outside support for their 747s beyond the considerable Dublin abilities came from BA at Heathrow.

Accounts of "off season" leasing out are around, but a number of the leases actually crossed the Aer Lingus peak season as well.Of the original pair, one was leased out full time from 1973 to 1981, initially to a Thai operator and then one with BA for years as G-BDPZ from 1976 onwards. When the Thai aircraft was due a major check the other one was sent over for a month in Spring 1975 - they really did have a surplus of capacity. They did indeed also do Hadj runs, chartered to more local carriers such as Air Algerie.

The widebody Heathrow runs have long, occasionally, been arranged at short notice, the hourly flights from Dublin might be disorganised by fog, they can't do the BA approach at Glasgow/Edinburgh of saying "well, there's a train", so by midday a 747 (and in more recent times of course an A330) would be a packed-out substitute for rwo or three delayed flights.

[dixi188]

Remember seeing 2 Aer Lingus 747s at Birmingham for the Cheltenhan Gold Cup in Feb. '88 or '89.

[BACsuperVC10]

Aer Lingus

I seem to remember they used to used 747s over the Christmas period on DUB-LHR years ago on some flights.

[goofer]

Originally Posted by BACsuperVC10

I seem to remember they used to used 747s over the Christmas period on DUB-LHR years ago on some flights.

Still no better way from SNN to DUB or BFS.
Unbeatable smiles per mile!

[Landflap]

Glad they didn't go for an alternative. In the glory days of successful Staff Travel, got from UK to JFK in their 707. Off to Barbados & back to JFK with a local mob. Aer Lingus Rep told us that there was no-chance of return to UK as all flights fully booked. Even pointed to one Colleen who had bedded down in the terminal for previous three nights. Miracles do happen ; Same Rep runs over while Girlfriend and I ponder limited options and tells us how lucky we are. Seven "O" had gone tech but a 74 was being diverted from somewhere into JFK to run the service back to Dublin. All of us sub-loaders" " on " & many in First/business, loadsa walkabout room and grins splitting most faces.