Aer Lingus set to rejoin Oneworld as part of BA take-over
By David Flynn, January 28 2015
Qantas will pick up a new partner if Ireland's Aer Lingus rejoins the Oneworld alliance following a £1 billion (A$1.9 billion) takeover by British Airways parent International Airlines Group.
IAG's billion-pound play has been given the thumbs-up by the Aer Lingus board, although the proposal will also need approval from shareholders Ryanair and the Irish Government, which together hold 55% of the Dublin-based carrier.
Aer Lingus would run as a separate business with its own brand, management and operations, IAG maintains, and in addition to signing up to Oneworld – which Aer Lingus left in March 2007 – the airline would also become part of BA's trans-Atlantic joint venture with American Airlines.
Aer Lingus operates in the space between a low-cost carrier and a more traditional full service airline, similar to Airberlin, although this year it will begin upgrading its twin-aisle Airbus A330 jets which fly between Dublin and the USA to a new business class with fully lie-flat seats.
Based on the Vantage Suite created by Thompson Aero Seating, the seats are similar to what you’ll now find on JetBlue in the United States and also share some design DNA with the new Qantas Business Suite.
The unique 2-2-1 layout means that most passengers will have direct aisle access, although they'll all enjoy AC and USB power outlets plus free wi-fi.
The seats transform into a fully-flat two-metre bed.
Read more: Aer Lingus to upgrade its Airbus A330 business class seats, service
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David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
18 May 2011
Total posts 233
The prodigal son returns?
21 Apr 2012
Total posts 3006
Will Michael O'Leary acquiesce?
Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer
08 Aug 2012
Total posts 31
All the enterprise value is in the LHR slots.... will see what terms the Irish Govt & UK/EU regulators place on IAG.
21 Apr 2012
Total posts 3006
Yes. How did Aer Lingus get so many slots at Heathrow in the first place? It's rediculous.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
04 Mar 2014
Total posts 204
Well to be fair...the DUB/LON is the busiest international flight pair in the world (i think). The smallest A/C they fly into LHR is the A319 while KL often fly F70s E90s, LH CRJs, so they dont waste LHR slots with regional jets.
Lufthansa - Miles & More
29 Jul 2014
Total posts 181
Only other airline to do this from LHR is SAS with mainly a320 and 738 service
30 Aug 2013
Total posts 437
As in the worlds busiest air route? No its not, it's not even in the top 10 of European only routes (its no 14)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World's_busiest_passenger_air_routes
If they need more capacity on this route why not upguage aircraft size?
01 Aug 2012
Total posts 30
Slots at LHR are so precious that airlines would rather fly too many (or even half-empty aircraft) aircraft to keep those slots. Use them or lose them.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
19 Feb 2014
Total posts 439
I cannot see Ryanair approving this whatsoever, even though I can't really think of any decent merit as to why.
Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer
08 Aug 2012
Total posts 31
Ryanair has a time limit to reduce their ownership from 30% to 25%, due to UK competition concerns..
So.. this offer is in the money for them & having a forced sell-down in a overpriced asset means some deal will be struck.. Its IAG's to lose.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
19 Mar 2014
Total posts 26
How is IAG owning British Airways, Aer Lingus, BMI and Iberia not a competition concern?
03 Nov 2014
Total posts 90
Any ideas on timeframe?
07 Oct 2012
Total posts 1250
Wouldn't hold your breath on this one. I don't see either Ryanair or the Irish Gov selling to IAG. Though its probably in Aer Lingus best interests.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
12 Jul 2014
Total posts 115
Given the debt of the Irish Government, I see it going to what is a good offer.
21 Apr 2012
Total posts 3006
I won't be in too much of a hurry to see this change.
Although I'm a fan of oneworld, fares ex-DUB is one of the most competitive because of Aer Lingus' increasingly superior product.
When Aer Lingus returns to the fold, I'm sure there would be an upward fare realingment and/or reduction of service by AA.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
23 Oct 2013
Total posts 699
"Qantas will pick up a new partner if Ireland's Aer Lingus..."
I thought Qantas already has a partnership with EI to earn points and book on classic awards
All this will mean is that status will be included in the bundle
Lufthansa - Miles & More
29 Jul 2014
Total posts 181
This could be Good for QF and CX pax to connect to Ireland but that is it they fly no where you cant get to from Lhr or any other EU ports ( CX only) Let the rubish Aer Lingus flights return to some main EU cities save a stop just go from LHR
30 Aug 2013
Total posts 437
'Aer Lingus operates in the space between a low-cost carrier and a more traditional full service airline, similar to Airberlin'
So I guess the same as VA?
30 Aug 2013
Total posts 437
Why does Ryanair own Aer Lingus? Wouldnt that be like Jetstar owning Qantas?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
25 May 2012
Total posts 580
Ryanair's stake in Aer Lingus is a failed attempt at growing beyond a LCC and establishing a monopoly in the Dublin market.
Their increase in Aer Lingus ownership was halted by EU Anti-Competition courts last year.
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