Aer Lingus is betting on a good summer in the UK, with the airline proceeding to launch its Manchester-based operation for Summer 2021 and beyond.
Aer Lingus EI-EDY Airbus A330 Air to Air photography -Image, Aer Lingus
The airline will launch four routes from Manchester. These are:
- Manchester-New York JFK is a year-round, daily service starting 29 July 2021
- Manchester-Orlando will operate up to five times weekly (Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday) starting 29 July 2021 and will operate four times weekly for the rest of winter, following October school holidays (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday)
- Manchester-Barbados is a seasonal starting commencing on 20 October 2021 and operating up to three times weekly (Wednesday, Friday, Sunday); the service will operate twice-weekly (Wednesday, Saturday) during school holidays
- Manchester-Boston will commence in summer 2022.
The airline will use a mixture of equipment on these routes, with Barbados and Orlando having Airbus A330-300 aircraft dedicated to them, whilst New York-JFK and Boston will utilise the single-aisle Airbus A321LR, making Aer Lingus the first airline to operate the aircraft on scheduled services between the UK and the US.
Both Economy and Business Class will be offered on these routes, with lead-in prices (in cash and Avios) are shown below:
|
Summer 2021 |
From | To | Economy Class
(from) |
Business Class
(from) |
Avios (from) |
| Manchester | New York | £199 | £775 | 20,000 | |
| Manchester | Orlando | £299 | £975 | 25,000 | |
| Autumn/ Winter 2021 |
Manchester | New York | £159 | £775 | 13,000 |
| Manchester | Orlando | £199 | £975 | 16,250 | |
| Manchester | Barbados | £199 | £1,175 | 16,250 |
New York and Boston will offer many onward connections for those who need them, whilst Barbados and Orlando will offer summer sun. Flights will also be on sale via British Airways/British Airways Holidays too.
Flights from Manchester to the United States are for United Kingdom-originating traffic only.
Note that sales on these routes are not available to persons in the United States, with all flights subject to government approval.
In Quotes
David Shepherd, Aer Lingus Chief Commercial Officer, said:
“We are delighted to offer high-quality, direct, non-stop, business and leisure travel options, at very reasonable prices for travellers and holidaymakers across the North of England.
“Aer Lingus has been flying to North America for more than 60 years and we also have a proud history with Manchester Airport.
“With so many people missing out on travel due to Covid-19 over the past year, Aer Lingus is delighted to be sharing this positive news today, announcing a great choice for customers and creating up to 120 jobs in the North of England.
“We believe our transatlantic offering is one of the best in the marketplace comprising both business and economy cabins.
“Equally our operation of the new and innovative Airbus A321LR aircraft marks a further milestone as Aer Lingus will be one of the first carriers to fly the aircraft between the UK and the US. We look forward to commencing our transatlantic services this summer.
Karen Smart, Manchester Airport Managing Director, said:
“These routes will be a great addition to the departure boards here at Manchester as we look forward to restarting international travel.
“Pre-pandemic there were more than 5.5 million passengers who crossed the Atlantic each year via Manchester and so to be able to offer these services with a new carrier is great news. In addition, Aer Lingus’s commitment to the U.K’s northern gateway results in the creation of 120 much-needed jobs.
“Aer Lingus’ commitment to these new services will be a real boost for those passengers we know are keen to start travelling as soon as the current restrictions can be lifted. This demonstration of pent-up demand is another reason why it is more important than ever that the Government develops proposals to restart travel that are clear, uncomplicated and affordable. We eagerly await the findings of the Global Taskforce in April.”
Trying to take advantage of the summer season
With demand muted in Ireland, it seems Aer Lingus are trying to take advantage of traffic in the United Kingdom to boost its coffers for 2021.
A lot of this will be down to who countries allow in, with the USA and Barbados, who will have to decide that letting in passengers from the UK is an adequate risk to take.
How they will check for vaccination status or COVID-19 tests will of course be another matter (if there was only some sort of internationally agreed vaccine passport).
And as for the A321LR…
That’s a subject worth diving into itself.
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