It’s an exciting day for Aer Lingus, as the airline is today starting service with their very first Airbus A321LR. The airline took delivery of their first A321LR just a few days ago, and has a total of eight of these planes on order.
The plane will start flying today between Dublin and Hartford, with the next transatlantic route being between Shannon and Boston as of October 27.
To coincide with the launch of the first A321LR route, the airline has created a video highlighting the onboard features of the A321LR. Check it out here:
Narrow body flights across the Atlantic are nothing new, and in this case Aer Lingus is placing the A321LR on routes that were previously operated by the 757-200. The A321LR has a slightly wider cabin and is quieter, so it should represent an upgrade, and not a downgrade.
Aer Lingus’ new A321LR cabin is beautiful, in my opinion. Business class looks excellent, and is in line with the product they offer on their flagship A330 aircraft. Seats are staggered, and alternate between being in a 2-2 configuration and being in a 1-1 configuration. So this will be very similar to JetBlue Mint, except there are no doors.
Meanwhile I think economy looks quite nice as well, and I especially love the seating patterns they chose.
These A321LRs have a total of 184 seats, including 168 economy seats and 16 business class seats. This represents a capacity increase over their 757-200s, which had 177 seats, including 12 business class seats and 165 economy seats.
Over time we can expect the number of these planes operating long haul routes to increase significantly. In addition to all the A321LRs on order, Airbus recently announced the A321XLR, which is an even longer range version of this plane, and which could operate flights of 8-10 hours.
The economics of this plane are fantastic, though the big question revolves around passenger experience. Ultimately the actual seating could be comparable to what you’d find on a wide body plane, and in some cases even better.
The major downside is the lack of overall spaciousness of the cabin, the fact that there’s only one aisle, etc.
What do you make of Aer Lingus’ A321LR cabin?
(Tip of the hat to The Flight Detective)
Toilets most definitely in the wrong place. Toilets should be away from galley area - especially for long haul sectors. Other carriers now realise the mistake with the NEO aircraft ... awful configuration and corporate greed.
As Aer Lingus will be most likely be operating these aircraft on thinner transatlantic routes where there is no wide-body alternative, with mainly point-to-point demand, people will just have to decide whether they want a non-stop narrow-body flight and wide-body connecting flights via US gateway airports with significantly longer overall journey times.
That alone might soften any prejudice against narrow-bodies....
While it’s not a bad product, I’m not a huge fan of these seats. In the 1-1 seats, which are preferable when traveling solo, it feels like the seat turns into a casket when you recline to bed mode.
Half of your lower body is in the footwell area. Doesn’t feel very comfortable.
The capacity increase assures this will be a downgrade in economy comfort. The 757 is the larger plane.
Also, your apostrophes are fine
@m747
If you’re going to be a grammar pedant, it’s always best to make sure of your facts before you criticise others.
As @John wrote, either variant is considered absolutely correct (in British English: YMMV).
It ain’t rocket science.
@m747. Aer Lingus’ and Aer Lingus’s are both correct. The apostrophe is required but second s is optional when the noun ends in s
if all the Y lavs are in the back of the plane, it’ll be a nightmare for the pax & crew vying for space. CAL’s 757 has a lav at door 2 & 2 in the rear.
Please learn to use the apostrophe properly. It is NEVER Aer Lingus', it is ALWAYS Aer Lingus's, American Airlines's, etc. They are proper, SINGULAR nouns. The apostrophe only goes after an S if it is PLURAL. Jeez. It ain't rocket science.
The very best of Irish luck Aer Lingus with your brand new A321LR. The business class seats are the same as the A330's. They are a better product than similar rival airlines. I personally prefer wide bodied aircraft on long haul and in general, but the A321LR might change my mind.
bland...
So far all they're doing is replacing the wet-leased 757s. So a narrow body swap for another. I've been on those 757s (in Y) and I doubt there'll be anyone who won't consider the new plane an upgrade.
The type of economy seat that they chose, B/E Meridian, is typical of short haul carriers.
It's not a bad idea to offer a mix of 2-2 or 1-1 mix in the J cabin, while direct aisle access is a big thing for many, it's only really important to solo travellers (like me). But friends with partners etc (where one of them really wants a window seat) sometimes choose an outdated J class cabin intentionally as it allows them to sit together, and one get to have window seat.