Aer Lingus

[scottishvixen]

Booked our first family trip for December next year and we were hoping to fly Aer Lingus. We would be doing GLA-DUB-MCO.

I know flights haven't been released at all for this time period next year, but looking at the website it appears Aer Lingus won't be flying the GLA-DUB route after 26th October. Now I remember looking at flights earlier in the year and it was the same although flights were then released later.

My husband has called the airline who don't seem to think any flights are released more than a few months in advance...

Does anyone know if the flights will definitely be released and if they will be what is the best way of booking to ensure we pay the most competitive price for the full route with the full baggage allowance?

This trip is getting more stressful than I imagined

[johnb]

I suspect that might depend on what happens with Michael O'Leary's current Ryanair proposal to buy Aer Lingus, and the European Commission's decision in February.

[Moodyblue]

Hi

Must admit we were hoping to fly with them next October but had the same issue with the Bristol - Dublin connection only showing up to 26th October and we come back 2nd November

I phoned them but to be honest they weren't very helpful, just said they should be flying our dates but didn't know when they would be available...

I ended up booking with United instead flying out of Heathrow via Newark...

[scottishvixen]

Originally Posted by johnb

I suspect that might depend on what happens with Michael O'Leary's current Ryanair proposal to buy Aer Lingus, and the European Commission's decision in February.

See more...

OK I missed this completely!

Thanks for the replies. Based on this years flight times, Aer Lingus were working out best, but looks like a rethink is needed.

[rudolph911]

There is a little bit of uncertainty regarding Aer Lingus at the moment. However, even if Ryanair are successful, it is the 24 Heathrow slots that they are interested in cashing in on. Ryanair and Aer Lingus both charge for hold luggage on short haul as it is. Even if the sale goes through I reckon the dub mco flight will still be in place and one of Ryanair or Aer Lingus will still be doing regular short haul from gla.

[oeamon]

in terms of route decision i suspect the winter schedule starts on the 28/10/13. therefore they may not just have firmed up times etc in regards to aircraft movement etc as they prob share with another destination. glasgow is a popular route so cannot se it been shelved.
if the whole itinerary is booked on one ticket the 23kg free luggage wil apply.
cant see a Ryanair takeover soon tbh. they only viable option right now is to acquire the irish gov 25% stake to have a majority stakeholding. this was rejected again yesterday in irish parliment.

[james weir]

Air Lingus withdraw from Dub MCO a few years ago then went back in,Florida traffic
from the UK is well down this year and Monach are cutting back florida flights in 2013
due to lack of demand,United now seem to have the market tied up as they are using
the right size of aircraft to feed Newark hub from regional airports in UK including
Belfast and Dublin,US airlines have a better cost base than UK airlines due to EU regs

[scottishvixen]

Thanks agian for the replies. Have some thinking to do over the coming months I guess.

Really hoping still to do Aer Lingus, but have flew United (was before the takeover right enough so Continental) before so happy with the route through EWR.

Just need to speak to the hubby and see what his thoughts are

[akv2010]

Originally Posted by james weir

Air Lingus withdraw from Dub MCO a few years ago then went back in,Florida traffic
from the UK is well down this year and Monach are cutting back florida flights in 2013
due to lack of demand,United now seem to have the market tied up as they are using
the right size of aircraft to feed Newark hub from regional airports in UK including
Belfast and Dublin,US airlines have a better cost base than UK airlines due to EU regs

See more...

There is little surprise demand is down. Thomas Cook, BA, Virgin all want over 1k each for a return flight. In contrast, United, AA and Delta are charging less than £550 each - no wonder these American Airlines are cashing in and getting all of the customers - a few hours layover in exchange for saving over £450 per person.

[sunshinetours]

We were hoping to do Southend to Orlando next October but same issue in that flights not released for Southend to Dublin leg

Like Moodyblue we ended up booking with a two night stopover in New York for under £550 a head