Aer Lingus

Aer Lingus
source
Airline	Aer Lingus
Parent	International Airlines Group
Founded	15 April 1936
Headquarters	Dublin Airport, Dublin, Ireland

Aer Lingus. It is the flag carrier of Ireland and a member of the International Airlines Group. Founded in 1936, the airline operates an extensive network across Europe, North America, and the Caribbean from its primary hubs at Dublin Airport and Cork Airport. It is known for its distinctive green livery and has evolved from a regional operator into a significant transatlantic carrier.

History

The airline was established by the Irish government with an initial capital of £100,000, launching its first service between Baldonnel Aerodrome and Bristol (Whitchurch) Airport using a six-seater de Havilland Dragon aircraft named *Iolar*. Early expansion saw routes open to the Isle of Man, Liverpool, and London, with a base move to the newly opened Dublin Airport in 1940. The post-war era brought modernization with the introduction of Vickers Viking and later Fokker F27 aircraft, leading to the airline's first transatlantic charter flight to New York City in 1958 using a Lockheed Constellation. A pivotal moment was the 1960 launch of scheduled services to New York (JFK) via Shannon Airport, cementing its role as an international carrier. The airline was a state-owned enterprise for decades, undergoing significant restructuring in the 1990s before its initial public offering on the Irish Stock Exchange and London Stock Exchange in 2006. It joined the oneworld alliance in 2000 but left in 2007 to pursue a low-cost long-haul model, ultimately being acquired by International Airlines Group in 2015.

Corporate affairs

The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of International Airlines Group, with its operational headquarters at Dublin Airport. Its main bases are Dublin Airport, Cork Airport, and Shannon Airport, with a significant maintenance facility at the former. The airline operates several subsidiaries, including Aer Lingus UK and the regional operator Aer Lingus Regional, which is franchised to Emerald Airlines. Key commercial partnerships include a joint venture with American Airlines, British Airways, Finnair, and Iberia on North Atlantic routes, and it maintains numerous codeshare partnerships with carriers like JetBlue, United Airlines, and Qantas. Its frequent-flyer program, AerClub, allows members to earn and redeem Avios across the International Airlines Group portfolio.

Destinations

The airline's network spans over 100 destinations across Europe, North America, and the Caribbean. Its primary hub at Dublin Airport serves as a major gateway for transatlantic traffic, with key routes to cities like Boston, Chicago, New York City, and Los Angeles. European operations focus on major capitals such as London Heathrow, Paris, Amsterdam, and Frankfurt, alongside numerous regional points. Seasonal and charter services extend to holiday destinations in Portugal, Spain, and the Canary Islands, as well as to locations like Barbados and Orlando. The Aer Lingus Regional network connects smaller Irish and UK cities to the main hubs.

Fleet

As of recent data, the airline operates an all-Airbus fleet, chosen for commonality and fuel efficiency. The long-haul fleet is centered on the Airbus A330 and the modern Airbus A321LR, which enables efficient point-to-point transatlantic services. The short-haul European operations are served by a large fleet of Airbus A320 and A320neo aircraft. The regional network, operated under the Aer Lingus Regional brand by Emerald Airlines, utilizes ATR 72 turboprop aircraft. The airline maintains a dedicated cargo division using the lower holds of its passenger aircraft, with a key focus on transporting Irish exports like pharmaceuticals and perishable goods.

Services

The airline offers a multi-brand service structure, primarily divided into Economy and Business Class cabins. Its long-haul Business Class, branded as 'AerSpace', features lie-flat seats, direct aisle access, and dining curated by Irish chefs. The Economy cabin on transatlantic routes includes a complimentary meal service and inflight entertainment. On European routes, it operates a 'Saver', 'Plus', and 'Flex' fare system, with 'Plus' fares including checked baggage and seat selection. All passengers have access to digital inflight entertainment via the 'Aer Lingus Studio' app. The airline also provides connectivity through its partnership with Viasat for inflight Wi-Fi on its newer aircraft.

Accidents and incidents

The airline's safety record has been generally strong, though it has experienced several notable incidents. The most significant accident occurred in 1968 when Aer Lingus Flight 712, a Vickers Viscount operating from Cork Airport to London Heathrow, crashed into the Irish Sea near the St. George's Channel, resulting in the loss of all 61 people on board; the cause remains undetermined. In 1981, Aer Lingus Flight 164, a Boeing 737 en route from Dublin Airport to London Heathrow, was hijacked and diverted to Le Touquet – Côte d'Opale Airport in France, where the perpetrator was apprehended. Other incidents have included runway overruns and aborted takeoffs, such as a 2007 event at Belfast International Airport involving an Airbus A320.

Category:Airlines of Ireland Category:International Airlines Group Category:Companies based in County Dublin