BrianDromey From Ireland, joined Dec 2006, 2942 posts, RR: 10 Posted (4 months 2 weeks 6 days 3 hours ago) and read 6788 times:
Our hallowed leader seems to be AWOL at the minute - perhaps he is enjoying the fine weather. So to prevent things getting too long I welcome you all to 18/09.
As usual nothing much has changed, FR are taking a swipe at the DAA, EI are 'reviewing' routes, examining business plans and attempting to create a viable carrier for the future. There is a long history of Irish carriers, Im sure eirJet, Translift/TransAer, Aer Turas and Futura Gael are but a few of the names consigned to the history books. Perhaps some of us have fond memories of these past carriers?
Safe flying and enjoy the sunshine.
Next flights: ORK-MAN (WW); MAN-ORK (EI) DUB-HHN-DUB(FR)
OA260 From Greece, joined Nov 2006, 16711 posts, RR: 53 Reply 1, posted (4 months 2 weeks 6 days 3 hours ago) and read 6788 times:
Go raibh míle maith agat Brian.
The other thread got quite long so its a good time to start fresh. Our leader must be enjoying Jersey in the Sun which I have heard is lovely !! Mind you Ireland for the last while has been amazing weather wise and long may it last. Great for spotting trips at DUB/ORK/SNN.
--------
Just in case people missed it from previous thread.
Norwegian will start thrice weekly DUB-OSL from 20th August . Nice to see some new metal in DUB. Operated by B737-300 and fares from €34.50 each way all in. Not bad at all. Just prepare to spend loads when your there LOL...
Olympic Air " Η Ελλάδα ψηλά " - ''Flying Greece Sky High''
OA260 From Greece, joined Nov 2006, 16711 posts, RR: 53 Reply 3, posted (4 months 2 weeks 6 days 3 hours ago) and read 6769 times:
Quoting BestWestern (Reply 2): Oslo is a fantastic city, and really hope that this route works
I have only transited but I have heard its lovely although one of our guides in Tromso said they had a huge drug problem. I was quite surprised. I fell in love with Norway a few years back when I did the Fjords Cruise. My last trip to the Arctic Circle in March was amazing also. Id love to go back to Norway and especially to see Oslo so might try DY.
I see Jet Star are looking at European routes with their A330's. I wonder if they would ever be interested in DUB Via somewhere. They were tipped to be looking into an agreement with EI to offer budget IRL-AUS flights but its now been shelved. I just wonder how far West they intend to go , they are looking at ATH and FCO and say they want to do their own flights rather than tie up with European carriers. That was the reason given for breaking off talks with EI
Olympic Air " Η Ελλάδα ψηλά " - ''Flying Greece Sky High''
Shamrock604 From Ireland, joined Sep 2007, 1070 posts, RR: 6 Reply 4, posted (4 months 2 weeks 6 days 1 hour ago) and read 6729 times:
Quoting OA260 (Reply 3): I have only transited but I have heard its lovely although one of our guides in Tromso said they had a huge drug problem. I was quite surprised. I fell in love with Norway a few years back when I did the Fjords Cruise. My last trip to the Arctic Circle in March was amazing also. Id love to go back to Norway and especially to see Oslo so might try DY.
Norwegians can sometimes be a bit naive when it comes to things like that, and dont often realise the scale of such problems elsewhere in the world. Also, those from outside Oslo tend to be very critical of the capital city (remind you of anywhere????
No offence to Norwegians, it can be a very endearing trait of theirs that they still get shocked at social problems like that.
That said, my first trip to Oslo resulted in me finding a used syringe in the McDonalds in Alte brygge......
Nice city though, not great for shopping, but everything else is pretty tip top.
Kaitak From Ireland, joined Aug 1999, 8537 posts, RR: 34 Reply 5, posted (4 months 2 weeks 6 days ago) and read 6688 times:
Quoting OA260 (Reply 1): Our leader must be enjoying Jersey in the Sun which I have heard is lovely
Actually, no, he's in beautiful downtown Athy, for a 40th birthday party, then heading back to JER on Monday, via LPL. Went to Kilrush airfield today, which is actually quite a charming place; saw an Extra 300 taking off; a few helis too.
Quoting OA260 (Reply 3): Tromso said they had a huge drug problem.
Tromso is very far north, so you get very bright winters and very dark winters and this can play havoc with the system. You will see similar symptoms in Punta Arenas, in southern Chile.
Quoting OA260 (Reply 3): see Jet Star are looking at European routes with their A330's. I wonder if they would ever be interested in DUB Via somewhere
Someone really should, if not Jetstar then Air Asia. We really need to be more forthright and aggressive in developing new tourist markets.
"What are we going to do tonight, Brain?" "Same thing we do every night, Pinky. Try to take over the world".
Shamrock321 From Ireland, joined May 2008, 727 posts, RR: 0 Reply 6, posted (4 months 2 weeks 5 days 20 hours ago) and read 6594 times:
Bad day for EI longhaul again. EI104 was delayed about 3 hours last night due to NYC weather which resulted in alot of passengers missing connection, the queue at the transfer desk was unreal! I heard someone mention about 180 transfer passengers !
So this morning AGP and FAO flights were A330s which resulted in the AGP flight being delayed 3 hours and that has had a knock on effect for the 109/108 today.
Perhaps using the A330s on more than 1 European flight isnt such a good idea.
Shamrock604 From Ireland, joined Sep 2007, 1070 posts, RR: 6 Reply 8, posted (4 months 2 weeks 5 days 19 hours ago) and read 6544 times:
Quoting COEI2007 (Reply 7): On the plus side, up to 180 transfer pax off EI104 is good to hear of!
Indeed it is, and shows the potential of the T/A routes to generate transfer business. Now if EI could just get their act together harmonising their other T/A routes to faciliate connections.
I am hoping T2 is the key which unlocks this potential fully.
OA260 From Greece, joined Nov 2006, 16711 posts, RR: 53 Reply 9, posted (4 months 2 weeks 5 days 18 hours ago) and read 6508 times:
Lufthansa fares well in turbulent times
THESE ARE turbulent times for airlines, but May, at least, appears to have been a strong month for Lufthansa, which increased traffic on its Dublin to Frankfurt route by 4.5 per cent year on year.
Marianne Sammann, Lufthansa’s general manager for the UK and Ireland, paid a flying visit to Dublin this week and told me that the airline carried 21,247 passengers between the cities in May.
“This was very encouraging for us,” Sammann said, adding that fares are under pressure.
“The average price is very much down,” Sammann added. “[but] we are still operating profitably.”
While Lufthansa has achieved a healthy 75.5 per cent load factor on its flights from Dublin in the year to date, sales volumes have declined by 20 per cent.
BestWestern From Ireland, joined Sep 2000, 5052 posts, RR: 62 Reply 10, posted (4 months 2 weeks 5 days 17 hours ago) and read 6494 times:
Quoting OA260 (Reply 9): While Lufthansa has achieved a healthy 75.5 per cent load factor on its flights from Dublin in the year to date, sales volumes have declined by 20 per cent.
Well, they have dropped Munich, Hamburg and Berlin - so sales volumes would fall.
Does God get peeved if you dont use a capital 'g' ?
A RYANAIR Boeing 737 captain involved in a serious incident during a thunderstorm near Rome was psychologically unfit to fly and his co-pilot, who had no experience of flying in bad weather, could not navigate the aircraft properly, an inquiry by Italian air accident investigators has found.
The captain, a Polish national, had attended the funeral of his infant son only a few days previously and told investigators he didn’t take extra leave because he feared losing his job.
and hopefully EI can make some money on the atlantic...
Procrastinating may prove costly for travelers with a yen to see the world this summer.
Since Wednesday, airfares from Chicago to many cities in Europe have skyrocketed for flights taken through mid-August, the prime summer travel period for American families with school-age children.
Economy-class tickets to Frankfurt, Germany, more than doubled, to $1,149 round trip, during a 48-hour stretch, according to BestFares.com. Meanwhile, fares to Athens, Dublin, London, Paris and Rome have risen by anywhere from 45 percent to 78 percent.
Does God get peeved if you dont use a capital 'g' ?
''The Irish Airline Pilots Association said the IAA, which regulates Ryanair, should take part of the responsibility for the incident. “This serious incident focuses attention on a particular corporate culture in Irish aviation,” said association president Evan Cullen. “The very fact that an individual at the front line of a safety critical industry, is operating in fear of losing his job so soon after the death of his child raises serious concerns about the ability of the Irish Aviation Authority to regulate this industry.”
Olympic Air " Η Ελλάδα ψηλά " - ''Flying Greece Sky High''
Irish251 From Ireland, joined Nov 2004, 675 posts, RR: 2 Reply 14, posted (4 months 2 weeks 5 days 8 hours ago) and read 6418 times:
Quoting BrianDromey (Thread starter): There is a long history of Irish carriers, Im sure eirJet, Translift/TransAer, Aer Turas and Futura Gael are but a few of the names consigned to the history books. Perhaps some of us have fond memories of these past carriers?
Club Air comes to mind as well. This was set up by Club Travel and operated a handful of leased Boeing 727s, always in improvised colour schemes. For a while they also operated between DUB and LTN on the Virgin scheduled services (which had previously been flown with Viscounts).
Shamrock604 From Ireland, joined Sep 2007, 1070 posts, RR: 6 Reply 16, posted (4 months 2 weeks 5 days 7 hours ago) and read 6406 times:
Quoting OA260 (Reply 13): ''The Irish Airline Pilots Association said the IAA, which regulates Ryanair, should take part of the responsibility for the incident. “This serious incident focuses attention on a particular corporate culture in Irish aviation,” said association president Evan Cullen. “The very fact that an individual at the front line of a safety critical industry, is operating in fear of losing his job so soon after the death of his child raises serious concerns about the ability of the Irish Aviation Authority to regulate this industry.”
Without wishing to stir up any negative feelings, the feeling within the industry is that FR have the IAA in their pockets.
It seems sometimes that only EI, RE and WX really have to follow the rules.
Yes, FR is a great Irish success story, but the perception and reality must always be that it is regulated to a world class standard. If not, if something does go badly wrong for FR one day, it will be game over, and another huge reputational knock for Ireland that will be quickly seized on by certain parties in countries that seem to consider themselves superior in this area........ I guess you can all figure out who I mean......
Irish251 From Ireland, joined Nov 2004, 675 posts, RR: 2 Reply 17, posted (4 months 2 weeks 5 days 7 hours ago) and read 6403 times:
Quoting OA260 (Reply 15): Quoting Irish251 (Reply 14):
This was set up by Club Travel and operated a handful of leased Boeing 727s, always in improvised colour schemes
Do you mean the one in Abbey Street, Dublin??
Yes. At the time the company's main focus was on package holidays to the sun. The style of titling on the aircraft was the same as that of the travel agency.
Shamrock321 From Ireland, joined May 2008, 727 posts, RR: 0 Reply 19, posted (4 months 2 weeks 5 days 6 hours ago) and read 6379 times:
Good news about LH and DUB, Im flying with them in 2 weeks time DUB-FRA-DUB for the German GP, not that I can really afford a holiday at a time like this! Got 6 weeks minimum notice to redundancy during the week.
COEI2007 From Ireland, joined Jan 2007, 1656 posts, RR: 7 Reply 20, posted (4 months 2 weeks 5 days 6 hours ago) and read 6366 times:
EI has a full page ''We've bettered the rest'' advertisement on page 5 of the Sunday Independent Business section. Think its the first time I have seen an advertisement for Business, so hopefully a good sign of more to come!
EIDAA From Ireland, joined Oct 2006, 709 posts, RR: 21 Reply 21, posted (4 months 2 weeks 5 days 6 hours ago) and read 6355 times:
Just sitting in the T5 Concorde Lounge in LHR. I had a good flight on EI-CVC this morning on the EIN154. Just wondering if any of our in house EI crew members were on that flight?
Shamrock604 From Ireland, joined Sep 2007, 1070 posts, RR: 6 Reply 22, posted (4 months 2 weeks 5 days 6 hours ago) and read 6331 times:
Quoting COEI2007 (Reply 20): EI has a full page ''We've bettered the rest'' advertisement on page 5 of the Sunday Independent Business section. Think its the first time I have seen an advertisement for Business, so hopefully a good sign of more to come!
Now, EI need to revamp the website if they are going to make a concerted effort to get high yield traffic. It still looks cheap (better than the red dot.. but still not what it could be...)
I dont think I need to mention what needs to happen with Gold Circle....
ClassicLover From Ireland, joined Mar 2004, 3806 posts, RR: 23 Reply 25, posted (4 months 2 weeks 5 days 6 hours ago) and read 6326 times:
Quoting Shamrock604 (Reply 22): I dont think I need to mention what needs to happen with Gold Circle....
Imagine a programme where you could earn points from credit card purchases... a programme where you should shop at Tesco and earn points... a programme where every flight, regardless of how cheap went towards earning status... where hire car rentals earned points...
Wait, that's most good frequent flyer programs! C'mon EI, step it up
I choose to fly oneworld, as a member of Qantas Frequent Flyer.
BestWestern From Ireland, joined Sep 2000, 5052 posts, RR: 62 Reply 26, posted (4 months 2 weeks 5 days 6 hours ago) and read 6492 times:
Quoting ClassicLover (Reply 25):
Imagine a programme where you could earn points from credit card purchases... a programme where you should shop at Tesco and earn points... a programme where every flight, regardless of how cheap went towards earning status... where hire car rentals earned points...
I have a bmi mastercard. I think Delta still do a skymiles credit card for Ireland.
Both are with MBNA
Does God get peeved if you dont use a capital 'g' ?
OA260 From Greece, joined Nov 2006, 16711 posts, RR: 53 Reply 27, posted (4 months 2 weeks 5 days 5 hours ago) and read 6486 times:
Quoting ClassicLover (Reply 25): a programme where every flight, regardless of how cheap went towards earning status...
They need to really think hard about what they actually want and what they actually want to offer the client. All fares should earn points. ( even on a reduced scale) similar to other airline programs.
Another thing is that the Aer Lingus website should offer a system that allows you to select a points earning fare if you are willing to pay a bit more than the rock bottom to get points.
Olympic Air " Η Ελλάδα ψηλά " - ''Flying Greece Sky High''
EI320 From Ireland, joined Dec 2007, 955 posts, RR: 0 Reply 28, posted (4 months 2 weeks 5 days 5 hours ago) and read 6504 times:
Quoting COEI2007 (Reply 20): EI has a full page ''We've bettered the rest'' advertisement on page 5 of the Sunday Independent Business section. Think its the first time I have seen an advertisement for Business, so hopefully a good sign of more to come!
It's a nice advertisement, it's the first time I've seen the traditional logo used in a long time.
Quoting ClassicLover (Reply 25): Imagine a programme where you could earn points from credit card purchases
ClassicLover From Ireland, joined Mar 2004, 3806 posts, RR: 23 Reply 29, posted (4 months 2 weeks 5 days 5 hours ago) and read 6481 times:
Quoting OA260 (Reply 27): Another thing is that the Aer Lingus website should offer a system that allows you to select a points earning fare if you are willing to pay a bit more than the rock bottom to get points.
I agree - Jetstar has it like that.
It shows the lowest fare, the lowest fare to earn Qantas points and the J class fare - all in three easy to read columns. It's a smart way to do it. On Qantas itself, every fare earns points regardless... any flight under 1,000 miles will earn you 1,000 points, which is nice too.
I choose to fly oneworld, as a member of Qantas Frequent Flyer.
OA260 From Greece, joined Nov 2006, 16711 posts, RR: 53 Reply 30, posted (4 months 2 weeks 5 days 5 hours ago) and read 6477 times:
Quoting ClassicLover (Reply 29): all in three easy to read columns. It's a smart way to do it. On Qantas itself, every fare earns points regardless... any flight under 1,000 miles will earn you 1,000 points, which is nice too.
BMI also have that. Even Olympic which I would call a bad FF program have decent lounges and agreements and a proper miles based system that 99% of all fares earn miles.
Points are so old and out of date. Its so kindergarten.
Olympic Air " Η Ελλάδα ψηλά " - ''Flying Greece Sky High''
Aer Lingus From Ireland, joined May 2000, 1416 posts, RR: 0 Reply 32, posted (4 months 2 weeks 5 days 5 hours ago) and read 6454 times:
Quoting EI320 (Reply 28):
It's a nice advertisement, it's the first time I've seen the traditional logo used in a long time.
Does anyone else think that blanket just ruins the advert? It looks like it came from someone's Oxegen tent at some point. Or from another perspective it looks like someone fell asleep in a dentists chair with a spotlight over it. its all very clinical looking.
Also would you not be seriously peeved if, having seen that advert, you suddenly find yourself on EI-JFK or DUB?
ClassicLover From Ireland, joined Mar 2004, 3806 posts, RR: 23 Reply 33, posted (4 months 2 weeks 5 days 5 hours ago) and read 6440 times:
Quoting Shamrock604 (Reply 31): Just wanted to inject some D4 into the debate.....
haha
Quoting Aer Lingus (Reply 32): Also would you not be seriously peeved if, having seen that advert, you suddenly find yourself on EI-JFK or DUB?
Well, you still get the Premier Class service... so on a day flight it might not be so bad. However if you were expecting to sleep on the overnight to Ireland, you'd be a bit peeved.
I choose to fly oneworld, as a member of Qantas Frequent Flyer.
OA260 From Greece, joined Nov 2006, 16711 posts, RR: 53 Reply 34, posted (4 months 2 weeks 5 days 5 hours ago) and read 6444 times:
Quoting Aer Lingus (Reply 32): Also would you not be seriously peeved if, having seen that advert, you suddenly find yourself on EI-JFK or DUB?
They should be careful as they give the impression that all A/C have this product. The lack of an ** saying ( not on all A/C) could lead them to being sued.
Olympic Air " Η Ελλάδα ψηλά " - ''Flying Greece Sky High''
ClassicLover From Ireland, joined Mar 2004, 3806 posts, RR: 23 Reply 35, posted (4 months 2 weeks 5 days 4 hours ago) and read 6435 times:
Quoting OA260 (Reply 34): They should be careful as they give the impression that all A/C have this product. The lack of an ** saying ( not on all A/C) could lead them to being sued.
It does on the web site though, in the "We've bettered the rest" page linked off the front page... it says -
*Sleeper Seats are available on seven out of nine A330 aircraft
I choose to fly oneworld, as a member of Qantas Frequent Flyer.
They might just want to "cover up" the fact that the seat isn't fully flat.
Quoting OA260 (Reply 34): he lack of an ** saying ( not on all A/C) could lead them to being sued.
Quoting Aer Lingus (Reply 32): Also would you not be seriously peeved if, having seen that advert, you suddenly find yourself on EI-JFK or DUB?
Quoting ClassicLover (Reply 33): However if you were expecting to sleep on the overnight to Ireland, you'd be a bit peeved.
Sorry for the confusion, the bottom of the advert got cut off, it did specify that that only 7 out of 9 A330's had the seats.........My negligence here could get EI into trouble
COEI2007 From Ireland, joined Jan 2007, 1656 posts, RR: 7 Reply 37, posted (4 months 2 weeks 5 days 4 hours ago) and read 6436 times:
Quoting ClassicLover (Reply 35): Quoting OA260 (Reply 34):
They should be careful as they give the impression that all A/C have this product. The lack of an ** saying ( not on all A/C) could lead them to being sued.
They might just want to "cover up" the fact that the seat isn't fully flat.
Thinks its part of the new ''Business'' class, instead of the green blankets they have, I think they will introduce the blue duvet's, as seen in the picture. They are far better and more comfortable for sleeping
Shamrock350 From Ireland, joined Mar 2005, 5285 posts, RR: 17 Reply 38, posted (4 months 2 weeks 5 days 4 hours ago) and read 6409 times:
Quoting EI320 (Reply 28): It's a nice advertisement, it's the first time I've seen the traditional logo used in a long time.
Thanks for getting the advert. Great to see them finally advertising Business Class and I like that they've used the traditional logo, don't think the .com logo would have worked quite as well.
TravelExec From Spain, joined Dec 2007, 340 posts, RR: 0 Reply 43, posted (4 months 2 weeks 5 days 1 hour ago) and read 6272 times:
Quoting Kaitak (Reply 5): Flights to Oz: Someone really should, if not Jetstar then Air Asia. We really need to be more forthright and aggressive in developing new tourist markets.
There is already a one stop route with Etihad... I've done a DUB-AUH-MEL, and it is so easy you might as well have the same flight number
Quoting Shamrock321 (Reply 6):
EI delays: So this morning AGP and FAO flights were A330s which resulted in the AGP flight being delayed 3 hours and that has had a knock on effect for the 109/108 today.
Friday night'e EI588 DUB-AGP was delayed by 90 minutes as well. The pilot was blaming poor a/c rotation...
Quoting Shamrock604 (Reply 31): Gold Circle: Just wanted to inject some D4 into the debate..... Wink
Makes sense... D4 likely has the highest proportion of GC members of any area in the country...
Neutral From Ireland, joined Nov 2007, 164 posts, RR: 0 Reply 45, posted (4 months 2 weeks 5 days ago) and read 6232 times:
Nice to see the TK A340 flying into Dublin was this flight a once off or do they (TK) beef up the aircraft if demands needs it on the Dublin -Istanbul route.
Tonymctigue From Ireland, joined Feb 2006, 981 posts, RR: 8 Reply 47, posted (4 months 2 weeks 4 days 22 hours ago) and read 6151 times:
Quoting COEI2007 (Reply 7): On the plus side, up to 180 transfer pax off EI104 is good to hear of!
It is good to hear that EI has managed to attract that many connecting passengers. Goes to show that its agreement with JetBlue was a good move. 180 is more than half the capacity! Now, if they could just unplug the other end of the tunnel at DUB, they could really be onto something. From my recent experience flying domestic with US based carriers, EI's short haul product is as good as what is out there bar the lack of Business class, which of course was only removed because it wasn't being used. I have no doubt though that if EI did ever manage to get a decent spoke and hub network between Europe and the USA/Far East going with good high yielding business travelers, then we will see a business class option reintroduced.
Well I'm back in ORD waiting for a connecting flight to BOS and thank god, nice and sunny with no thunderstorms unlike last time. I flew to ORD from SEA very early this morning. I've been awake since 3:00AM. I have a four hour layover and another two and a half hours to BOS. Unfortunately, I've already exhausted all the possibilities for amusing myself at ORD the last time I was here just over a week ago so I don't know what they hell I'm going to do.Only two and a half hours left now though.
AmricanShamrok From Ireland, joined May 2008, 1254 posts, RR: 0 Reply 48, posted (4 months 2 weeks 4 days 22 hours ago) and read 6129 times:
Quoting Tonymctigue (Reply 47): I don't know what they hell I'm going to do.Only two and a half hours left now though.
Walk through the terminals! You could take the ATS (which is great for spotting too) to get to each. You could to to the O'Hare Hilton too - there's a few gift shops and plane-related souvenirs on the ground floor (entrance is in the corridor between terminals 1 & 2). I don't know, I never get bored at ORD!
COEI2007 From Ireland, joined Jan 2007, 1656 posts, RR: 7 Reply 50, posted (4 months 2 weeks 4 days 22 hours ago) and read 6123 times:
Quoting TravelExec (Reply 43): Friday night'e EI588 DUB-AGP was delayed by 90 minutes as well. The pilot was blaming poor a/c rotation...
EI588 leaves at 6.20 ( I think). I operated on the a/c that was operating EI588 the other day, and it had been delayed on an early BCN rotation, which led to us being delayed, and ultimately led to AGP being delayed! Great fun!
Quoting Tonymctigue (Reply 47): It is good to hear that EI has managed to attract that many connecting passengers. Goes to show that its agreement with JetBlue was a good move. 180 is more than half the capacity! Now, if they could just unplug the other end of the tunnel at DUB, they could really be onto something. From my recent experience flying domestic with US based carriers, EI's short haul product is as good as what is out there bar the lack of Business class, which of course was only removed because it wasn't being used. I have no doubt though that if EI did ever manage to get a decent spoke and hub network between Europe and the USA/Far East going with good high yielding business travelers, then we will see a business class option reintroduced.
I think if EI is changing Premier to 'Business class'', a Premium Economy or Business Europe could be introduced, like many a.netters have said with a middle seat free etc. If EI can attract 180 transfer pax of EI104, i'm sure with a the T2 and decent transfer facitlities, EI could attract a good amount of connections
Shamrock350 From Ireland, joined Mar 2005, 5285 posts, RR: 17 Reply 51, posted (4 months 2 weeks 4 days 22 hours ago) and read 6138 times:
Quoting Shamrock321 (Reply 49): The 180 connecting passengers were going onto EI European services. To behonest I dont think the JetBlue agreement is doing amazingly well.
It wouldn't hurt to do a bit more advertising, they've had the same Las Vegas advert on the website for the best part of a year now. Both airlines did say at the first anniversary of the partnership that it was exceeding their expectations and they were carrying around 80 passengers a day so either they had low expectations or it was actually just the usual spin. It was cheap for both airlines to come up with so I doubt they'd be too concerned.
Pilot21 From Ireland, joined Oct 1999, 1203 posts, RR: 2 Reply 52, posted (4 months 2 weeks 4 days 22 hours ago) and read 6141 times:
Quick question to our industry experts.
I've booked an EI, LGW-DUB-LGW flight for August and now need to delay my LGW-DUB flight by a day.
FR have better fares for a 1 way flight from LGW-DUB, so if I ditched my outbound EI ticket and just showed up for the return, would that work - or would EI cancel the return leg?
I know on most airlines they would cancel the return leg, but with EI/FR's each way fare policy, just wondering if the rules have changed?
Aidanoc5793 From Ireland, joined Apr 2009, 105 posts, RR: 0 Reply 53, posted (4 months 2 weeks 4 days 21 hours ago) and read 6137 times:
Quoting COEI2007 (Reply 50): I think if EI is changing Premier to 'Business class'', a Premium Economy or Business Europe
Great idea, EI could achieve higher yields on a few routes like LHR, BRU etc, how about Euro Premier? just out of curiosity does anyone know what EI's biz class was like on European shorthaul before it was removed was like? I read on the RTE archive that EI was voted best Western European Airline in like 2001..so was it really that awesome?
OA260 From Greece, joined Nov 2006, 16711 posts, RR: 53 Reply 54, posted (4 months 2 weeks 4 days 21 hours ago) and read 6130 times:
Quoting Aidanoc5793 (Reply 53): just out of curiosity does anyone know what EI's biz class was like on European shorthaul before it was removed was like?
Yes it was middle seat free with a cabin divider. Hot meals and free champagne. Used to use it alot between DUB-LHR and DUB-FRA. Always was a great service. Shame it went. Also towards the end they took away the Champagne and downgraded the meals. Then all the strikes started and cabin crew looked fed up and unloved...you know the rest. Gold Circle went down the crapper and the GC lounge was joined up with the Business lounge and it looked like a railway station. Lucky I got to experience a few years when it was all at its best. And to think they once offered neck and head massages in the GC lounge. Lovely sandwiches also.
Quoting Shamrock321 (Reply 49): Does anyone know what happened to LX401 today, its just left 8 hours late! Very un-Swiss like!
Thats mad must have been tech as I never heard of a LX flight 8 hours delayed out of DUB.
Olympic Air " Η Ελλάδα ψηλά " - ''Flying Greece Sky High''
COEI2007 From Ireland, joined Jan 2007, 1656 posts, RR: 7 Reply 55, posted (4 months 2 weeks 4 days 21 hours ago) and read 6122 times:
Quoting OA260 (Reply 54): Yes it was middle seat free with a cabin divider. Hot meals and free champagne. Used to use it alot between DUB-LHR and DUB-FRA. Always was a great service. Shame it went
Very easy to bring it back. I'm sure the likes of LHR, BRU, FRA and some other routes would fill a few Business seats if they were there!
Aidanoc5793 From Ireland, joined Apr 2009, 105 posts, RR: 0 Reply 56, posted (4 months 2 weeks 4 days 20 hours ago) and read 6065 times:
Quoting OA260 (Reply 54): Yes it was middle seat free with a cabin divider. Hot meals and free champagne. Used to use it alot between DUB-LHR and DUB-FRA. Always was a great service. Shame it went. Also towards the end they took away the Champagne and downgraded the meals. Then all the strikes started and cabin crew looked fed up and unloved...you know the rest. Gold Circle went down the crapper and the GC lounge was joined up with the Business lounge and it looked like a railway station. Lucky I got to experience a few years when it was all at its best. And to think they once offered neck and head massages in the GC lounge. Lovely sandwiches also.
Thanks a lot dude!!!! What a shame EI seemed totally awesome back then. I wish they would bring back some of the biz flights and the brilliant We're not just an airline, We are Aer Lingus slogan
Those words actually take me back to the good days. That ad was amazing and there was a great feeling to the company back then. ( from a passengers view ) anyway.
Aer Lingus still have the look they just need the FF program and in flight product to match::
The look is actually something that has saved them and their living off their historic reputation among the Irish people. Its slipping fast though on Longhaul. Europe is still ok but unless drastic measures are taken to make longhaul something to stop corporates going to the USA Via LHR AMS etc.. then it needs fast action.
I have recently seen some pics of Premier meals and I have to say the layout and delft are lovely but the food could do with more attention to detail.
Would staying in Oneworld have made any difference?? Who knows. Aer Lingus have a habbit of letting products and other airlines pass them by. An arrivals lounge at DUB for Business Class passengers in transit from Europe to USA and v.v. would have been an asset also. Showers/business center, these are all basic needs for your corps. The current state of affairs means that you are better to go to Starbucks than the lounge.
Olympic Air " Η Ελλάδα ψηλά " - ''Flying Greece Sky High''
Aidanoc5793 From Ireland, joined Apr 2009, 105 posts, RR: 0 Reply 59, posted (4 months 2 weeks 4 days 19 hours ago) and read 6004 times:
Quoting OA260 (Reply 58): Would staying in Oneworld have made any difference?? Who knows. Aer Lingus have a habbit of letting products and other airlines pass them by. An arrivals lounge at DUB for Business Class passengers in transit from Europe to USA and v.v. would have been an asset also. Showers/business center, these are all basic needs for your corps. The current state of affairs means that you are better to go to Starbucks than the lounge.
Well said OA260. Have you ever considered becoming CEO of EI??:D You have great idea's well done.
Shamrock350 From Ireland, joined Mar 2005, 5285 posts, RR: 17 Reply 60, posted (4 months 2 weeks 4 days 18 hours ago) and read 5999 times:
Aer Lingus was a very different airline back in the late 90s, I remember on some flights walking through what would seem like an endless Premier Class to the tiny economy cabins where we used to sit well behind the wing on those 737s and there would still be the smell of cooked breakfasts lingering from the flight before. I also remember the cabin crew talking about the Gold Circle Club which would have just been relaunched around that time, TAB points and the magazines which would be Cara, Sky Shopping and Cirrus.
It was great but if it had stayed that way would Aer Lingus still be around today? I don't think it would be. The current short haul product is good, it isn't anything particulalrly special but fares remain low and service is consistently good which is what most people seem to be looking for these days. Aer Lingus offer great value for money on short haul so the need for a business class on a few select routes really isn't there and would probably cause more confusion about what Aer Lingus offer, to me it is clear that Aer Lingus is low cost on short haul and full service on long haul but even that seems to mean an "identity crisis" for some.
A new frequent flyer programme would benefit the entire airline, short haul and long haul. It must be over 10 years since Gold Circle was last properly updated, to say that it is now outdated is putting it lightly. The lounges have been in decline for years, the transformation into a low cost airline was an excuse back in 03/04 but not now. Aer Lingus really need to get their act together on how they reward and look after loyal passengers and of course the problems that face long haul. At the moment I get the feeling that they are blaming everything on the economy and are just waiting for that to improve instead of actually taking action to do something about the struggling long haul business. They've spent the money on new cabins and aircraft so now they need to spend money on simple things like pillows and blankets for every passenger, amenity kits, better meals and better timed flights.
Aer Lingus is already half way there to being a great airline, built up a strong route network, have great staff and a young fleet so those finishing touches need to be made now, just in time for when things do start to pick up so Aer Lingus can take advantage of that.
All we can do is hope that some of these things are being done behind the scenes, the new advertising of Business Class and rumoured changes to the product looks promising but I suppose we'll just have to wait and see.
OA260 From Greece, joined Nov 2006, 16711 posts, RR: 53 Reply 61, posted (4 months 2 weeks 4 days 18 hours ago) and read 5995 times:
Quoting Aidanoc5793 (Reply 59): Well said OA260. Have you ever considered becoming CEO of EI??:D You have great idea's well done.
No I wouldnt want the job there is too much politics still in EI management and it needs ripped out and new blood pumped in. ( sorry if your reading guys).
I would ::
Make a lounge with 4 showers/Free Wifi/10 computer internet stations ( sponsored by Eircom or BT) / Sandwiches / Two Nespresso machines for coffee/ 10 sleeper style lounger chairs in a screened off area ( quiet area) . / Get rid of the bus stop chairs ( sell them to Bus Eireann). / Put leather sofas and chairs back and install 2 ladies and 2 Gents toilets.
Rebrand Gold Circle with a brand new look. All fares except the bottom two earn miles. It does pay off and attract loyalty in the end. / As Classiclover said team up with Dunnes or Tescos and allow points to be converted to FF miles. / Also Marriott-Hilton and Jurys hotels. / Once you reach 1000 miles do what BMI do and have a Green Plus card that gets you a meal deal on Shorthaul flights. Sell membership after 1000 miles earned for EUR700 a year but this is only for access to EI lounges and not partner lounges. ( that would pay for alot of the new enhancements. ).
Launch an Aer Lingus credit card for the UK and Irish market with Ulster Bank or BOI which normal everyday people can avail of and earn miles with their purchases.
Bring back all fares into the CRS systems ( Europe ) because Aer Lingus lost alot of business to LH LX US CO AF BD you name it . They dont need to pay comissions anymore just sell them as Nett. Some Star carriers are even realising this and bringing them back
( even web fares).
Nothing wrong with the crew or the uniforms so leave well alone.
Cara Magazine is also good so leave that also.
IFE is fine on all the upgraded cabins and new aircraft.
USA flights ::
Upgraded meals in Y similar to VS and BA.
Ice cream 4 hours into flight. Afternoon tea 1hr 50 mins before landing. Snack stations with chesse savouries and preztzels. Every passenger gets a amenity kit with basic items in it. Each seat has pillow and blanket on before passengers board.
On USA-DUB flights proper dinner upgraded and hot breakfast on arrival on all USA flights. Self service snack stations. Last 5 rows on the A330 preffered seating for parents and families allowing others to have quiet areas without screaming kids.
Business Class
----------------------
Limo within a 50 mile radius of DUB/USA destinations. Arrivals lounge in DUB with continental breakfast and showers.
Lieflat horizontal seats ( I know its too late now ) lol...
Pre dine option at JFK. Quick dine option onboard.
Triple miles on full C fares ( not J ) .
On demand snack service , sandwiches and wraps. Hot chocolate/Latte/Cappuchinos etc..
Gift onboard . Leather document holder or something along those lines changed every month.
Gate to gate private transfers if your inbound flight is delayed and you are connecting to another Aer Lingus flight with less than a 40 min connection.
Off peak 21 day advance purchase J class specials €1000 return to USA. Companion fares 2 for €1500 but no Limo service and no lounge access. No refunds No changes. 50% Miles.
A good revenue booster without having to offer the perks other than the onboard service and seat/bed which would normally go empty at low season.
MISC
--------
Launch mobile phone boarding card and online check in for all stations. Pre order in flight duty free shopping online and have delivered onboard.
I would also install inflight internet and charge for it in Y class and free in J class.
Show connecting gate info on IFE . Also install drop down PTV's on all A321/A320 like Swiss have.
Olympic Air " Η Ελλάδα ψηλά " - ''Flying Greece Sky High''
F1eddie From Ireland, joined May 2007, 420 posts, RR: 0 Reply 62, posted (4 months 2 weeks 4 days 17 hours ago) and read 5947 times:
Quoting OA260 (Reply 61): Show connecting gate info on IFE . Also install drop down PTV's on all A321/A320 like Swiss have.
How would it work for EI to install AVOD on all European A/C. Team up with Xtra Vision, and set up a pay per view??? That would certainly make them stand out from all European airlines, give them a marketing edge, and be a money earner for them.... What are your taughts on this?
Flown on EI, FR, BMI, TG, PG, FD, JQ, DJ, LA, NZ, SQ, DL, LX, LH
OA260 From Greece, joined Nov 2006, 16711 posts, RR: 53 Reply 63, posted (4 months 2 weeks 4 days 17 hours ago) and read 5937 times:
Quoting F1eddie (Reply 62): How would it work for EI to install AVOD on all European A/C.
Well either that or do what Jetblue did and put in PTV's with some free and some charged content. Would be a revenue generator Also make those trips to LPA/FNC/ATH/SOF go quicker.
I was talking to a Pilot the other day and he says he loves Jetblue when flying in the USA as a passenger.
Olympic Air " Η Ελλάδα ψηλά " - ''Flying Greece Sky High''
Shamrock350 From Ireland, joined Mar 2005, 5285 posts, RR: 17 Reply 64, posted (4 months 2 weeks 4 days 17 hours ago) and read 5934 times:
Very interesting post OA260! I agree with many of your ideas, especially what the new lounges should be like, Gold Circle and long haul product. A lot of it is very realistic could be done by Aer Lingus, of course it would cost them money now but in the long term the rewards would be great and it would enable Aer Lingus to build a firm and loyal passenger base like many of the European flag carriers have gained because of their service.
Quoting OA260 (Reply 61): Show connecting gate info on IFE . Also install drop down PTV's on all A321/A320 like Swiss have.
Quoting F1eddie (Reply 62): How would it work for EI to install AVOD on all European A/C. Team up with Xtra Vision, and set up a pay per view??? That would certainly make them stand out from all European airlines, give them a marketing edge, and be a money earner for them.... What are your taughts on this?
I'm not too sure on this, PTVs/AVOD are out of the question in my opinion. The weight these add to the aircraft and the cost of installing them probably far outweighs any profits Aer Lingus make from them or the edge it gives Aer Lingus over other airlines. Overhead monitors are possible but even those might not be worth installing when the majority of their short haul routes are quite short and because Aer Lingus like to move the fleet around quite a bit so one aircraft that is operating to ATH where monitors might be attractive to passengers could be operating to BHX the next day where passengers probably don't care and the advantage for them is very small.
Didn't Ryanair test this idea by handing out personal media players to passengers for a charge only to find that very few people actually wanted to pay for it. That was Ryanair and the fact that they were hand held media players may have put people off so it could be different for Aer Lingus but I just don't think that many people would be willing to pay for it, especially on those short flights.
F1eddie From Ireland, joined May 2007, 420 posts, RR: 0 Reply 65, posted (4 months 2 weeks 4 days 17 hours ago) and read 5930 times:
Quoting OA260 (Reply 63): Would be a revenue generator Also make those trips to LPA/FNC/ATH/SOF go quicker.
Yeah. If for example going to BUD, you have the choice of EI,MA,and FR. So i would pay the the highest fare with, EI just to get the option to have a AVOD. See im thinking outside of the box here.... Pity EI would not do it
Fair point about the weight there. This is a technical issue i would not have taught of. In regards to distance BHX is one of EIs shortest routes, and yes they would be pointless on this route, but for the moving map. But LHR is one hour in the air and that is plenty of time to charge E5 to watch an eipsode of friends or something like that... All others routes could make good use of pay per use AVOD.
[Edited 2009-06-28 17:19:14]
Flown on EI, FR, BMI, TG, PG, FD, JQ, DJ, LA, NZ, SQ, DL, LX, LH
F1eddie From Ireland, joined May 2007, 420 posts, RR: 0 Reply 66, posted (4 months 2 weeks 4 days 17 hours ago) and read 5919 times:
Quoting Shamrock350 (Reply 64): Didn't Ryanair test this idea by handing out personal media players to passengers for a charge only to find that very few people actually wanted to pay for it. That was Ryanair and the fact that they were hand held media players may have put people off so it could be different for Aer Lingus but I just don't think that many people would be willing to pay for it, especially on those short flights.
Dont know. I know i paid $10 for one of those personal media players in OZ to waste away the four hour flight from AVV>PER. On the way back they were sold out by the time they got to me, and i was quite annoyed.... Was great.
Flown on EI, FR, BMI, TG, PG, FD, JQ, DJ, LA, NZ, SQ, DL, LX, LH
EIASJ From United States, joined Oct 2005, 32 posts, RR: 0 Reply 67, posted (4 months 2 weeks 4 days 13 hours ago) and read 5891 times:
And now for something completely different.............. Walking from terminal D @ DUB to the EI 330 on the domestic leg of DUB-SNN-JFK last Weds I noticed a Ryanair service vehicle (#49 if memory serves me correctly). Beside the "Lavatory" markings there was also on both sides a professionally finished ID sticker identifying (in capiltals) said vehicle as "THE TROTTS TRACTOR". Unfortunately I didn't have a camera with me, but you gotta love it, only in Dublin would they pull a stunt like that !!!!!!!
OA260 From Greece, joined Nov 2006, 16711 posts, RR: 53 Reply 68, posted (4 months 2 weeks 4 days 6 hours ago) and read 5727 times:
Quoting Shamrock350 (Reply 64): I agree with many of your ideas, especially what the new lounges should be like, Gold Circle and long haul product. A lot of it is very realistic could be done by Aer Lingus,
Thanks, alot of the things could easily be done without too much investment.
-----------
Ryan firm faces legal action as result of Alitalia collapse
DECLAN Ryan's aviation company Thomas A Ryan Aerospace is facing a spate of legal actions arising from the collapse of Italian state airline Alitalia last year.
The company, set up by Ryanair founder the late Tony Ryan, has received "a number of legal claims arising from the insolvency of the company's lessee Alitalia.
DavecFlyer From Ireland, joined Dec 2007, 272 posts, RR: 0 Reply 69, posted (4 months 2 weeks 4 days 5 hours ago) and read 5670 times:
Quoting Neutral (Reply 45): Nice to see the TK A340 flying into Dublin was this flight a once off or do they (TK) beef up the aircraft if demands needs it on the Dublin -Istanbul route.
It was very nice to see it taking off I have to say.
It is still technically scheduled as a daily B738 but in practice it is an A321 almost every day now.
There was an A330 last Sunday and then an A340 yesterday. I assume as that was the start of the school holidays and bookings were high.
It is good to see somebody doing well out of DUB anyway.
Shamrock604 From Ireland, joined Sep 2007, 1070 posts, RR: 6 Reply 70, posted (4 months 2 weeks 4 days 4 hours ago) and read 5628 times:
Quoting EIASJ (Reply 67): "THE TROTTS TRACTOR". Unfortunately I didn't have a camera with me, but you gotta love it, only in Dublin would they pull a stunt like that !!!!!!!
COEI2007 From Ireland, joined Jan 2007, 1656 posts, RR: 7 Reply 71, posted (4 months 2 weeks 4 days 2 hours ago) and read 5531 times:
Quoting OA260 (Reply 58): An arrivals lounge at DUB for Business Class passengers in transit from Europe to USA and v.v. would have been an asset also. Showers/business center, these are all basic needs for your corps
Good idea to attract J pax via DUB. Something they should look at for T2
Quoting OA260 (Reply 61): On USA-DUB flights proper dinner upgraded and hot breakfast on arrival on all USA flights. Self service snack stations. Last 5 rows on the A330 preffered seating for parents and families allowing others to have quiet areas without screaming kids.
The exit rows have bassinet's for children which is better, and families dont like being in the last 4 rows as its away from the toilets, and next to the aft galley
Quoting OA260 (Reply 61): Ice cream 4 hours into flight. Afternoon tea 1hr 50 mins before landing. Snack stations with chesse savouries and preztzels. Every passenger gets a amenity kit with basic items in it. Each seat has pillow and blanket on before passengers board.
Ice cream is a good idea, and a basic amenity kit would be good.
Quoting OA260 (Reply 61): Pre dine option at JFK. Quick dine option onboard.
Pre-dine is available in JFK, and there is a quick dine option on EI108, which is a ''Supper service''
OA260 From Greece, joined Nov 2006, 16711 posts, RR: 53 Reply 72, posted (4 months 2 weeks 4 days 2 hours ago) and read 5506 times:
Quoting COEI2007 (Reply 71): The exit rows have bassinet's for children which is better, and families dont like being in the last 4 rows as its away from the toilets, and next to the aft galley
Things like this need to be planned when the A/C is being ordered IMHO. I would make the layout slightly different to mean that there was a small section of 5 rows next to the bathrooms and exit row. Also I would make rows 9-11 with 38'' seat pitch on the A/C that have the small Y class section between J and Y and sell those seats for an extra €80 each way. If those seats had not been bought then they can be given to Gold Circle members free of charge on a seniority level basis.
Olympic Air " Η Ελλάδα ψηλά " - ''Flying Greece Sky High''
COEI2007 From Ireland, joined Jan 2007, 1656 posts, RR: 7 Reply 73, posted (4 months 2 weeks 4 days 1 hour ago) and read 5515 times:
Quoting OA260 (Reply 72): Things like this need to be planned when the A/C is being ordered IMHO. I would make the layout slightly different to mean that there was a small section of 5 rows next to the bathrooms and exit row. Also I would make rows 9-11 with 38'' seat pitch on the A/C that have the small Y class section between J and Y and sell those seats for an extra €80 each way. If those seats had not been bought then they can be given to Gold Circle members free of charge on a seniority level basis.
The thing with rows 9-11 is, that on DUZ, EAV and EDY, there is now only 2 rows there, so making them 38'' pitch etc is awkward.
I agree with the service elements. Improved Y catering, maybe free wine with dinner and a basic amenity kit would be a start.
Premier/Business has changes ahead of it planned, and I would like to see an arrivals lounge and upgraded GoldCircle lounge as part of it. It would certainly set them apart from DL, AA and CO, and make them a much stronger option for the J pax flying via LHR with BA/VS etc
OA260 From Greece, joined Nov 2006, 16711 posts, RR: 53 Reply 74, posted (4 months 2 weeks 4 days 1 hour ago) and read 5489 times:
Quoting COEI2007 (Reply 73): The thing with rows 9-11 is, that on DUZ, EAV and EDY, there is now only 2 rows there, so making them 38'' pitch etc is awkward.
Yeah like I said it would have to be done before A/C were ordered. Nice to hear that there are only 2 rows on the new AC as that is a nice area to be in if you can get it.
Olympic Air " Η Ελλάδα ψηλά " - ''Flying Greece Sky High''
ClassicLover From Ireland, joined Mar 2004, 3806 posts, RR: 23 Reply 75, posted (4 months 2 weeks 4 days ago) and read 5434 times:
Quoting OA260 (Reply 61): Make a lounge with 4 showers/Free Wifi/10 computer internet stations ( sponsored by Eircom or BT) / Sandwiches / Two Nespresso machines for coffee/ 10 sleeper style lounger chairs in a screened off area ( quiet area) . / Get rid of the bus stop chairs ( sell them to Bus Eireann). / Put leather sofas and chairs back and install 2 ladies and 2 Gents toilets.
The Wireless has to be free - no charging!
Those Nespresso machines are quite good - they have them in the Business Class rooms in the Radisson hotels and they're quite cool!
All of your other ideas are basically one off costs and won't really cost EI anything, apart from a person having to clean the showers after each use... but the person who restocks all the crap and cleans the floors etc could do that with ease - there are only going to be certain times of the day when they're in high use.
Quoting OA260 (Reply 61): Launch an Aer Lingus credit card for the UK and Irish market with Ulster Bank or BOI which normal everyday people can avail of and earn miles with their purchases.
This is a no brainer as the American's would say I'd change banks to get this kind of perk - but please, it should be with AIB as they're quite frankly the best bank in Ireland
Quoting OA260 (Reply 61): Limo within a 50 mile radius of DUB/USA destinations. Arrivals lounge in DUB with continental breakfast and showers.
Wow, now you're dreaming Free transfers to the city centre might work
Quoting OA260 (Reply 61): Gift onboard . Leather document holder or something along those lines changed every month.
Royal Jordanian do this - I've had a blue glass flask of Dead Sea salt (useless, but cool), a digital travel alarm clock (useful) and some Jordanian Pottery. It would be easy to get companies that make such things who want some promotion to donate them to EI for a month as a promotional move or even to give them at cost.
A bit more niceness at the Premier Counters (a plastic plant for some ambience maybe) would be cool. That said, you never know, this all might be planned for T2. It surprises me how it's due to open next year and Aer Lingus haven't put any forthcoming notification of what their way cool plans are on the web site to whet customers interest.
I choose to fly oneworld, as a member of Qantas Frequent Flyer.
Quoting ClassicLover (Reply 75): Those Nespresso machines are quite good - they have them in the Business Class rooms in the Radisson hotels and they're quite cool!
I got one in my kitchen and would never be without it.
ClassicLover From Ireland, joined Mar 2004, 3806 posts, RR: 23 Reply 77, posted (4 months 2 weeks 4 days ago) and read 5445 times:
Quoting OA260 (Reply 76): Yep I have been with them for the last 4 years and I have to say no issues and great service. Would be ideal for me
They were the only bank that was actually nice to me when I was trying to get a bank account when I first came to Ireland. Bank of Ireland and Ulster Bank were pricks to put it mildly - never looked back since
Quoting OA260 (Reply 76): Yes alot of airlines have a long rug with their logo on and ''Business Class'' on. Also those ''rope'' barriers which look a bit more up market.
Also cost virtually nothing and look great!
Quoting OA260 (Reply 76): I got one in my kitchen and would never be without it
So the coffee's at the a.net Irish thread meet will be at yours then? Thanks for the invite
I choose to fly oneworld, as a member of Qantas Frequent Flyer.
OA260 From Greece, joined Nov 2006, 16711 posts, RR: 53 Reply 78, posted (4 months 2 weeks 3 days 23 hours ago) and read 5453 times:
Quoting ClassicLover (Reply 77): They were the only bank that was actually nice to me when I was trying to get a bank account when I first came to Ireland
Yes a Polish mate of mine had the same issues. Anyway he gave up so I took him along to AIB and they were so nice. Even had leaflets in Polish I was impressed. The worst is PTSB total crooks. I had to sue them and luckily I won, but thats another issue. Aer Lingus and AIB would be a good tie up. Maybe a Silver and a Gold card.
ClassicLover From Ireland, joined Mar 2004, 3806 posts, RR: 23 Reply 79, posted (4 months 2 weeks 3 days 23 hours ago) and read 5425 times:
Quoting OA260 (Reply 78): True I would say you would get them for a few hundred Euro and they last years. It does spruce a check in area up and look for professional.
I'm sure you could pick them up off the back of a truck for less... or even steal them from other airlines and spraypaint them green... okay I am being silly now
Quoting OA260 (Reply 78): Meet at DUB and then detour an hour North?, thats Irish Go to the Nespresso boutique in BT's, I dont do Coffee
BT's! Oooh get you
Meanwhile, it's the Manchester meet this weekend, so I am routing DUB-LHR-MAN-DUB, for a little bit of time in the T5 Galleries on the way. Insane? Perhaps, but you only live once
I choose to fly oneworld, as a member of Qantas Frequent Flyer.
OA260 From Greece, joined Nov 2006, 16711 posts, RR: 53 Reply 80, posted (4 months 2 weeks 3 days 23 hours ago) and read 5415 times:
Quoting ClassicLover (Reply 79): airlines and spraypaint them green... okay I am being silly now
I think there is a nice one in Area 1 , Belongs to EY . Spray it Green and the tourists from across the pond will think the Arabic is Gaeilge
Quoting ClassicLover (Reply 79): so I am routing DUB-LHR-MAN-DUB, for a little bit of time in the T5 Galleries on the way. Insane? Perhaps, but you only live once
Njoy , especially the EI Busáras lounge lol...
Olympic Air " Η Ελλάδα ψηλά " - ''Flying Greece Sky High''
DavecFlyer From Ireland, joined Dec 2007, 272 posts, RR: 0 Reply 82, posted (4 months 2 weeks 3 days 20 hours ago) and read 5278 times:
Anyone know what happened to the S7 flight to DME last night?
VP-BHG an A319 was parked up at the Western parking area all day today and another A319 arrived late afternoon presumably to pick up the pax.
Somebody was asking about the LX flight yesterday. It was parked on the D pier all day yesterday so didn't get moved to a hangar or anything. I just assumed it had gone tech so strange to hear that it actually went out again last night. I would have thought that the crew would be out of hours.
OA260 From Greece, joined Nov 2006, 16711 posts, RR: 53 Reply 83, posted (4 months 2 weeks 3 days 20 hours ago) and read 5265 times:
Quoting DavecFlyer (Reply 82): I just assumed it had gone tech so strange to hear that it actually went out again last night. I would have thought that the crew would be out of hours.
Maybe they took the crew to an airport hotel for 5 hours rest?? Then they operated the flight back. Not sure how these things work , just a theory.
Olympic Air " Η Ελλάδα ψηλά " - ''Flying Greece Sky High''
Have to admit I hat these after a matre got a bad credit rating. She closed her MBNA credit card,paid off the 'last' invoice. 6 months later got a letter telling her there would be legal action unless she paid her EUR83 euro outstanding balance. Nearly ruined her mortgage. They refused to lift the black mark even after she paid the EUR83.
Quoting Shamrock350 (Reply 60): They've spent the money on new cabins and aircraft so now they need to spend money on simple things like pillows and blankets for every passenger, amenity kits, better meals and better timed flights.
Hear hear.
Quoting F1eddie (Reply 62): That would certainly make them stand out from all European airlines, give them a marketing edge, and be a money earner for them.... What are your taughts on this?
I always though this. Upgrade 5-10 A320 with PTV. Keep them on AGP, FCO, NCE, FAO, ALC, NAP. The leisure/family pax will pay for movies/TV inflight. The pax on the AGP A330 flights love it. Headsets always sold out(only sold on European routes)...to be dissappointed with old IFE on the return.
Ei2ksea From Ireland, joined Jul 2004, 436 posts, RR: 0 Reply 87, posted (4 months 2 weeks 3 days 18 hours ago) and read 5185 times:
AB Shannon were set up as the Irish subsidiary of a British company originally set up as Air Bristol with the intent of ferrying BAe workers between Bristol Filton and the other Airbus sites. They subsequently changed their name to ABAirlines but not before setting up ABShannon and Air Belfast (Notice the "AB" on the tail, the color scheme was essentially the same between each subsidiary except for the large "SHANNON" titles on the Irish company's aircraft).
The UK based ABAirlines main subsidiary, based in LGW built up a large network until they went bust at the same time as Debonair in LTN around 2001/2 I think. ABShannon closed before this - it was probably closed down probably around the same time as Virgin Express set up their Irish subsidiary, maybe 1999/2000? I think they were already gone when FR came along to SNN. I can remember ABAirlines protested at the financial incentives being given to Virgin Express (Ireland) as duplication of routes (STN) was not really helping develop the airport according to them...just cannibalising existing operators.
ABShannon used to fly SNN-LGW and later set up STN also and maybe even BHX at one point. Sadly it didnt progress much beyond that. Interesting Aer Lingus did codeshare with them on the BHX and STN routes.
Air Belfast flew BFS-LGW for a very brief time.
All flights by ABAirlines were with the BAC-1-11-500 replaced with B733's later and up to the time of collapse. ABShannon did use the B733 on their flights briefly AFAIK.
[Edited 2009-06-29 16:26:00]
Edited for silly spelling and because Airliners.Net thinks "AB" is Air Berlin
Irish251 From Ireland, joined Nov 2004, 675 posts, RR: 2 Reply 88, posted (4 months 2 weeks 3 days 17 hours ago) and read 5154 times:
Quoting Ei2ksea (Reply 87): All flights by ABAirlines were with the BAC-1-11-500 replaced with B733's later and up to the time of collapse. ABShannon did use the B733 on their flights briefly AFAIK.
Their three-letter code was AZX, callsign "Aztec".
Quoting Ei2ksea (Reply 87): Air Belfast flew BFS-LGW for a very brief time.
Pretty sure I flew this route with Air Belfast, can't remember the exact year but I think it was around Christmas and there was terrible weather. Also seem to remember flying ABShannon, my dad became ill while we were in Ireland and he wasn't fit to fly back to London so we missed our Aer Lingus flight and flew back to Gatwick with them.
Great information on AB Airlines there Ei2ksea, very interesting as it was an airline that I knew very little about.
The product of years as a teenager spent sitting at the side of the runway in SNN and religiously reading Irish Air Letter!
ABAirlines had also ordered B737-700's. I dont think they received any. One final note is that the ABShannon name was dropped towards the end and most ads used the ABAirlines name.
Here are a few other pictures from the database, there doesnt seem to be too many and none with the Air Belfast titles..
ABAirlines used to sub-lease aircraft from European Aviation and some (maybe just1!) wore this hybrid and pretty classy livery I saw in SNN once or twice.
Rojam From Ireland, joined Nov 2007, 120 posts, RR: 0 Reply 91, posted (4 months 2 weeks 3 days 16 hours ago) and read 5136 times:
Have been away/working for a bit, so not a pip outta me in ages.
Transited via LHR-T5 a few weeks ago - spotted a little bit of healthy competitive advertising, albeit downing DUB's airside shop prices
Quoting EIASJ (Reply 67): Beside the "Lavatory" markings there was also on both sides a professionally finished ID sticker identifying (in capiltals) said vehicle as "THE TROTTS TRACTOR". Unfortunately I didn't have a camera with me....
Well I did (from June '06), here's your baby
Quoting ClassicLover (Reply 75): A bit more niceness at the Premier Counters (a plastic plant for some ambience maybe) would be cool.
Yes, there's nothing like a nice plastic plant to lend a professional ambiance. A plastic plant, are you for real ?
Quoting ClassicLover (Reply 75): Royal Jordanian do this - I've had a blue glass flask of Dead Sea salt (useless, but cool), a digital travel alarm clock (useful) and some Jordanian Pottery. It would be easy to get companies that make such things who want some promotion to donate them to EI for a month as a promotional move or even to give them at cost.
In the good old EI days, the amenity kit container was either a bag that doubled as a classy wash-bag/linen-bag or a semi-rigid box that, once emptied, became a CD holder. I've a whole slew of them - intially there were dark emerald green, then black ones appeared.
KLM still gift biz passengers with the little delft Dutch houses, now collectors items. I've only got two - number 38 and 80.
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