Aer Lingus

[lbaspotter]

I've just noticed that Aer Lingus regional have cancelled a few evening EI3394/3395 Dublin rotations starting from this evening for some unknown reason.

Tue, Feb 12th
Tue, Feb 26th
Wed, Mar 6th
Wed, Mar 13th
Fri, Mar 15th

Good news is that they have added an extra rotation on Saturday, March 30th operating as follows.

EI3392 = DUB 15:35 – LBA 16:45 / EI3393 = LBA 17:10 – DUB 18:20

 

[louis_walton]

That seems quiet random because they normally have good pax loads on all rotations. Is Dublin slot restricted as an airport? Or maybe the aircraft is needed for some other reason elsewhere?

 

[Finger66]

It is a strange one particularly when one is a Friday evening too when peak weekenders fly. Sounds like a crew or aircraft shortage to me. They can't be unhappy with the route if they are putting on extras on other days, as they did recently too. Anyone know any different?

 

[a300boy]

Does not sound good though !

 

[Tarn Spotter]

I certainly dont think IAG has done enough promotion on this route as a gateway to the States.
Whenever I book LBA to the States to New York for my daughter it always gives me a LHR link, never DUB.
My last three flight in summer to Geneva have been via Amsterdam, Dublin and now this year heathrow, all from LBA. You get no help on planning unless you know the routes, all search engines give you manchester or the nearest airport.
If you go on the airport website, press United States, Press New York and press Aer Lingus nothing happens, it should link direct to the carriers website, like price comparison sites, surely money in passing on leads.

 

[Tarn Spotter]

My daughter goes out on the 8.25am out of LBA and arriving 13.40pm JFK, she used to do Manchester to Shannon before the LBA option became available. She is at work by 4pm to 10pm and then gets the 22.10 on thursday night after a full days work to DUB, never normally returning back to Leeds.
She only takes a large shoulder bag everywhere with her, so worries about a case
This route is far more reliable then the LBA to LHR, she is in London working this week and always wonders whether the shuttle working.

 

[White Heather]

The important thing to remember on this route to the States is that you clear US Customs whilst waiting in Dublin, so even if there is a fairly long wait at Dublin, you are straight through when landing in the USA without the long queues to clear their border control. The range of connections has grown too, so there is New York, Boston, Miami, San Francisco, Toronto and Montreal last time I looked. I wouldn't hesitate to use this route, particularly as despite my Irish descent I have yet to set foot in Ireland, so at least it would put that matter straight (if only on the inside of Dublin Airport).

 

[Jerry]

The important thing to remember on this route to the States is that you clear US Customs whilst waiting in Dublin, so even if there is a fairly long wait at Dublin, you are straight through when landing in the USA without the long queues to clear their border control. The range of connections has grown too, so there is New York, Boston, Miami, San Francisco, Toronto and Montreal last time I looked. I wouldn't hesitate to use this route, particularly as despite my Irish descent I have yet to set foot in Ireland, so at least it would put that matter straight (if only on the inside of Dublin Airport).

Although yes you clear immigration there, i personally found Dublin a bit of a pain to transit on the way out. You have to go through 2 security checks in Dublin and you have to wait until your flight is called to go through US pre-clearance. It wasn't as seemless as AMS imo.
I can see the attraction but personally i'll probably use AMS next time.

 

[Finger66]

The other advantage of DUB is you are generally heading in the right direction rather than an AMS dog leg. Fares, especially Premium Cabin ones, are fairly attractive too. Everyone has their preference and as we all know it can only take one bad experience, or one for instance that doesn't work for people to then never consider that option again. The more pax that use it, the better the chance of upgraded frequency and further improved connections. But then we are talking IAG and LBA here which doesn't seem a priority for them on either of their routes from LBA

 

[Finger66]

So Aer Lingus have been given board approval for a new aircraft order to increase their transatlantic offering from Dublin. Now this isn't something that will happen overnight of course but should mean and even greater number of connecting passengers on the LBA - DUB route, so let's hope for more frequency and/or some jets. This could impact LBA - LHR in two ways. Negatively it could take away pax from BA but positively could open up more IAG connectivity and availability. Let's hope for the latter.

 

[Seasider]

For my twopennyworth, I think IAG see Dublin as the transfer point for westbound and Heathrow for the rest.

 

[yorkguy]

Returned to LBA from Toronto this morning. Around half of the passengers arriving on the link from Dublin were clearly long haul travellers. Competitive pricing meant that we were able to travel business with Aer Lingus at almost half the BA cost from LBA. The only downside was that lounge staff at LBA initially refused us entry, saying incorrectly, that we were only entitled to access the lounges in Dublin. Each time I use Aer Lingus from LBA, I am extremely impressed by the service they provide.

 

[leedslad]

I had the same issue with the Lounge at LBA. I was booked Business transatlantic with Lingus. Initially they turned me away but I checked the paperwork and they begrudgingly allowed me access after much discussion.

Seems they've still not trained the staff

 

[a300boy]

Letter to Airport needed to point out the error ! It should not happen and the correct person needs to be informed.
Potentially puts business passengers off using Lba.

 

[yorkguy]

I’ve already contacted Aer Lingus about the issue, but yes, a good idea to contact the airport as well. My experience was identical to that of Leedslad’s. The reception staff were offhand today the least. I showed them the lounge pass provided by Aer Lingus, where it stated access to all lounges, and procedures for LBA to recharge the airline. They said, “well on this occasion we’ll let you in, as we don’t want to spoil your journey, as you obviously feel quite strongly about this”. Damn right I did.

 

[louis_walton]

Aer Lingus are to increase to 3 X daily on Mon/Fri/Sun WEF 28 Oct 2019 on LBA DUB.

 

[louis_walton]

Would be great to see Cork back with Aer Lingus it worked well from Cardiff and it works well from other bases around the UK so it certainly would from LBA.

 

[rmac]

Cork from LBA started at the same time as Southampton, but was dropped. Now Southampton has also been dropped. But, I agree it would be good to see LBA back -time will tell

 

[louis_walton]

Southampton hasn't been dropped its still bookable from now as far as Flybe's schedule goes.

 

[lbaspotter]

Southampton hasn't been dropped its still bookable from now as far as Flybe's schedule goes.

@louis_walton i think you might have your wires crossed a little bit as this has nothing to do with the Eastern Airways/Flybe Leeds-Southampton route which is still as you say operating..
The point @rmac was trying to make is that Aer Lingus Regional started its Cork-Southampton route at the very same time they started the Cork-Leeds route. Sadly for reason unknown the Cork-Leeds route didn't last long very before it was withdrawn, whilst the Cork-Southampton service has only recently being axed.