Update On Aer Lingus Joining The Oneworld Alliance

Seems short sighted and narrow minded to be excited about them joining. Losing a competitor on transatlantic routes and losing the ability to use United miles on Aer Lingus just for the possibility of being able to earn AA miles when you can already earn and use Avios doesn't seem like it is a great trade off.

I agree with Farnorthtrader.

No excitement from me. Agree with @Farnorthtrader

I think the title of this should be changed to EI to rejoin the, because in fact EI was an OneWorld member until 2007

Ditto, only negatives really. Existing BAEC redemptions on EI also have to be done over the phone which helps preserve availability.

I'd assume that as an IAG airline we can expect BA or IB size fuel surcharges on oneworld award redemptions for IE seats?

The conversion rate that Gold Circle Points will convert to avios is horrible I believe 🙁

Disappointing, but it could push JetBlue to start transatlantic service, and I'd like to see that.

Please amend the article so that it is correct. EI Are rejoining One World not joining. A quick google search will show you they wer members until March 2007.

I do like your blog but given that you are pretty much a journalist some accuracy would be nice every now and again.

Switch from business to economy 2/3 of the way to much of Europe from the East Coast US? Nein, Danke.

Will - nitpick much? I can't believe some of the petty little things people like you rag on Lucky for. Get a life and stop deriving pleasure from putting people down. If you're so perfect start your own blog and see how you like jerks picking on you for the tiniest of errors.

@Will - I am a devout nitpicker when it comes to language, so when I say you're being too picky, I speak from experience. Technically, you're correct. But in this instance, using "joining" versus "rejoining" is a distinction that makes no difference in understanding to the reader. Nine years have passed, and - more importantly - the ownership of Aer Lingus has changed. Iin this very important way, it's not the same airline that left OneWorld back in 2007.

Now if Aer Lingus had left in 2007 and then became a member again in, say mid-2008, the choice of "rejoin" would reflect the judgment of the author that leaving had been a mistake. But between the time that has passed and the change in ownership, there's no judgment to be made here, so no need to insist Ben change the title. It's not like the situation in sports coverage that always irritates me when you are watching a game between two teams and the commentator says something like "these two teams met under similar conditions back in 1956". No, they didn't. At least not in any meaningful sense that would allow you to judge the current situation based on past experience, as the entire team roster, the coach, and in many cases the ownership, have all changed. The two teams have the same name, but that's about it.

Does every post concerning BA have to start "Now, i'm not a fan of BA...."

Actually this article isnt even directly about BA and lucky still pipes in with anti-Brit rhetoric.

No excitement from me. Agree with @Farnorthtrader

Interesting... booked Aer Lingus returning from Dublin to LAX using United Miles. I have a flight from Dubrovnik to Dublin on Aer Lingus that I paid for - guess I should either earn Avios or AA miles.

Aer Lingus is a good choice to Dublim but many of the onward flights are on turbo-props which isnt my favorite way to fly and there typically is not a premium cabin if you are booked business class through to your ultimate destination.

In fact last time I took the ferry from UK to Dublin to avoid that AND avoided all those UK airport taxes

I think it would be great if the AA and BA websites would show the Aer Lingus avails and you could book online. The waits on the BA 800 line are very long and you could hone your search much better online than you can calling to an agent.

Also, I apologize if this has already been addressed, but the fuel surcharges of BA are prohibitive. Will those extend to Aer Lingus? I prefer to fly out of IAD and there is a non stop to Dublin. However, if surcharges are $450 per flight, it really isn't much of an award flight.

I very much like the 1-2-1 configuration especially since I really don't like people.

@GR Downtown - that's precisely the concern, if they are really bookable online as part of the JV they will almost undoubtedly incur the same mammoth charges, plus expect lower availability - the current system means most people don't easily know about booking them!

For me, If a trans-atlantic carrier develops a relationship that allows cheaper partner redemptions for an award flight, so be it. UA charges a massive price for award flights across the atlantic in J class. I like this!

@Chris you can ALREADY redeem BAEC Avios on EI at very low cost - this is only going to increase cost thanks to the JV and higher taxes (plus reduced availability if easily bookable online)

I'd trade fun and quirky for clean and comfortable any day of the week. There are recent hard product updates to the A330 fleet but EIs shorthaul fleet is tired and old.

Old thread, but wondering: with the announcement that they'll be flying to Philly (AA hub), does this signal that the official entry to OW will be soon?