Norwegian announced today it would be spinning up new services to the USA (more on that a bit later on…). But of course, that’s not the story.
The story is the ensuing handbag fight both Norwegian and Aer Lingus are engaging in on Twitter.
Popcorn at the ready people.
So it starts so simple…
We are excited to launch our new non-stop routes from Dublin, Shannon & Cork to the USA from €69* one way. Book at https://t.co/ceCa6N5HHI pic.twitter.com/TP7dYMz329
— Norwegian UK&I (@NorwegianUK) February 23, 2017
Of course, local operator Aer Lingus had to chime in…
No free bag?
No free seat assignment?
No free meal?
No preclearance?Cheers, you’re grand. https://t.co/aZIHqZJpJc
— Aer Lingus (@AerLingus) February 23, 2017
Hmmm. Someone thought this was free advertising… after all – who doesn’t like free advertising from a competitor?
Free advertising from @AerLingus for Norwegian’s low-cost routes? That’s grand, thanks guys! https://t.co/uYpBTG6Obb
— Norwegian UK&I (@NorwegianUK) February 23, 2017
Of course, Aer Lingus weren’t going to take this lying down…
.@NorwegianUK About those routes… pic.twitter.com/3JyZzVCDip
— Aer Lingus (@AerLingus) February 23, 2017
Oh dear. We have airlines being fighting in the playground. Again.
Is it overly professional? No.
Is it comedy in its purest form? Maybe.
Is it downright silly? Of course.
Here’s my thought.
Anyone got any popcorn? EI vs DY pic.twitter.com/HddI1IVKwh
— Kevin-Economy&Beyond (@EconomyBeyond) February 23, 2017
Welcome to Economy Class and Beyond – Your no-nonsense guide to network news, honest reviews, with in-depth coverage, unique research as well as the humour and madness as I only know how to deliver.
Follow me on Twitter at @EconomyBeyond for the latest updates! You can also follow me on Instagram too!
Also remember that as well as being part of BoardingArea, we’re also part of BoardingArea.eu, delivering frequent flyer news, miles and points to European readers.
Aer Lingus’ last tweet is a bit unfair – it’s true that there’s no direct train service to Stewart, but there are two train stations nearby – one is an inexpensive three mile cab ride away (and it’s a good bet that bus service will be added if a lot of people start flying Norwegian and want to connect), and the other can be reached by a bus (maybe Aer Lingus was offended by the bus provider’s name, Leprechaun Bus Lines? http://leprechaunlines.com/ )
Aer Lingus is also glossing over the fact that this service is likely to appeal to customers wanting to fly to Europe who live in Westchester County and northern New Jersey, where people all own cars and might find the drive to Stewart much more pleasant (and cheaper to park at) than JFK or EWR. They could even get some travelers from the Albany area.
But Aer Lingus still has a fair point in that Stewart is a good jaunt from NYC, and for Europeans taking the flight over for a hostel-and-backpack trip to the Big Apple it could be a shock when they get here and find they’re still at least a couple of hours from NYC itself by public transportation. “New York/Stewart” is right up there with “Frankfurt-Hahn”, not quite as far but harder to get there with the US’ less-extensive public transport.
(Let’s put it this way – if I still lived in Manhattan it’ take a fantastically cheap fare to get me to schlep all the way out to Stewart. I am hoping Norwegian adds Tampa soon, though!)