Aer Lingus introduces Saver Fares

It seems that going on the attack on the low-cost carriers is the “in-vouge” thing of the day, with Aer Lingus announcing a new level of fares… called Saver.

So, what fresh hell is this?

Let’s compare Saver and its Smart fare – which Aer Lingus handy put together in an infographic for us.

So whilst some things are still the same across the pond (namely, a cabin bag, IFE system and a meal), everything else after becomes optional – namely:

• Checked Baggage
• Advanced Seat Selection
• Headphones
• Blankets

Saver fares start at €169 each way between Ireland and North America, for flights after 1st October.

I’ve had a quick look and can see the new fare loaded in the Aer Lingus engine (although not at the lead-in price):

And of course – there’s a lovely little video to go along with it.

So what to make of this? Well, clearly it’s a response to Norwegian Air Shuttle who moved into Dublin and Cork recently with the ramp-up of the 737 transatlantic services as the airline attempts to fight on price point.

Now remember this lovely tweet from Aer Lingus?

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

Well with the launch of Saver fares today, that’s come back to bite them hasn’t it. Although the airline does have one thing to say about its destinations…

Well… we’ll still fly you to actual New York and actual Boston.

— Aer Lingus (@AerLingus) August 31, 2017

File those tweets under “meow”.

None the less, for those who can do without the little luxuries of hold luggage, enjoy playing seat lotto and bring their own headphones, it’s a little saver on the against the normal fare.

But is this a case of fighting the low cost carriers on their own turf. Of course it is. How this will play out in the longer term is another thing (and I would love to see how Aer Lingus are going to distribute headphones and blankets on plane with all these different fare classes…)

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