Taken from the Aer Lingus website:

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We are introducing a paid bar service in the economy cabin across all routes from the end of December 2003. Details are as follows:

27 December: Charge for alcoholic drinks only on all transatlantic flights. (Soft drinks complimentary).

28 December: Pay bar on all European routes - there will be a charge for all food and drink (with the exception of tap water).

30 December: Pay bar on London & UK Provincial routes - there will be a charge for all food and drink (with the exception of tap water).

Full details and prices are available in an information leaflet in all seat pockets.
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Somewhat disappointing. Given the months of silence on the topic, I had hoped they would at least continue the current service on European flights (free OJ/water/tea/coffee with biscuits or sandwiches).

I guess we can also conclude there is no attempt at Alliance integration (British Airways recently announced it was upgrading European economy service). Furthermore, it seems Aer Lingus is not worried about its competitiveness on transatlantic flights (so no PTVs - except on EI-DAA in the near future).

Jeremiah