In late January I posted about IAG's bid to take over Aer Lingus. IAG is the parent company of British Airways, Iberia, and Vueling, and is one of the three European airline "superpowers." However, the ownership of Aer Lingus was a bit complicated, given that Ryanair owns ~30% of Aer Lingus while the Irish government…
Continue reading: Ireland Approves IAG’s Takeover Bid For Aer Lingus
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
My first impression is: book as many ex-DUB business class fares now as needed for the next year, as those deals are likely to end soon...
Joining oneworld isn't necessarily great if it means their partnership with UA ends as part of that.
While this might be a win for oneworld fans looking to use their points, I suppose, it's likely a negative for the broader travelling public. Aer Lingus has been one of the few more-affordable ways for leisure travelers to travel across the Atlantic to dozens of European destinations (similar model to Icelandair) and I fully expect that will cease shortly. Also, given that they'll be joining the JV, there's almost no way that they will maintain their policy of not charging fuel surcharges on redemptions. So in my view, this is almost purely negative from a typical transatlantic traveler perspective. Perhaps for those living in Ireland this may give them easier one-stop connections via LHR but it's not like anything which involves connecting at LHR is ever "easy".
I've really been pulling for the merger of ANA and Aer Lingus, with their proposed slogan, "isn't it about time you tried ANALingus?"
But I guess that won't ever happen. A boy can dream.
Sure would be nice if Vueling joined Oneworld too. It's strange that it's owned by IAG but isn't a member.
Why is this good news for frequent flyers exactly? Once EI joins the transatlantic JV with AA/BA/IB/AY you can certainly kiss the reasonable ex-DUB fares to NYC/LAX/HNL goodbye. Heck, get ready for 900$+ Y fares to DUB ex-US as well year-round. EI joining oneworld will offer only marginal incremental benefits to US frequent flyers, at least on the redemption front. You could always redeem UA (Star) miles or BA Avios (oneworld) for EI flights up until now and now they will only will be available to members of one alliance.
As an Irish citizen Im not sure what to make of this. The guarantee's are good, yes, but seven years is no time at all.
It's pretty normal for major airlines budget subsidiaries not to be part of the alliance, due to the costs of complying with alliance policies among other things. Germanwings is not part of *A, Jetstar is not part of Oneworld the only difference is curling is that BA/IB status means nothing on Vueling. LH status gets you something on Germanwings, QF status gets you something on JQ.
So we'll go from 25k points RT in economy to 25 points RT in economy, plus $800 in fuel surcharges after BA gets their greedy mitts on EI. Or 100k+ and $800 YQ with AAdvantage points. Mergers and acquisitions always screw over the consumer. ALWAYS.
@ Jack Buck -- That's a great question. If I had to guess I'd say probably within a year, but I guess we'll see.
@ BFD -- It's certainly possible, though I wouldn't count on it. For example, Iberia doesn't impose high fuel surcharges when you're booking awards on them through their own program, so it's possible Aer Lingus will remain as is. But I wouldn't count on it either.
Given that Etihad have said they will back the offer, IAG only need 21% of the other shareholders to sell them their shares to force Ryanair to toe the line, It's a done deal, assuming the Irish parliament agree. Of course the European Parliament could get in the way...