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Aer Lingus to operate some Dublin and Hamburg flights for British Airways from February

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Whilst BA has yet to make an announcement, Aer Lingus will be flying some Dublin and Hamburg flights from February on behalf of British Airways.

I assume that these will be ‘economy only’ services with Club Europe passengers downgraded.  On the upside, economy food and drink may be free (or will Aer Lingus impose their own usual prices?).  The crew and pilots will be Aer Lingus employees and the plane will be an Aer Lingus aircraft.

If you have any BA Dublin or Hamburg flights booked from mid February then you may want to check your bookings.

This is presumably linked to BA’s two current operational issues – some short haul planes are out of service to ‘have more seats rammed in’ (that’s the technical term, apparently) whilst others are being used at Gatwick to fill the slots acquired from Monarch which are on a ‘use it or lose it’ basis.

If you are booked on an Aer Lingus flight, BA should give you the option of cancelling or moving to another flight if you call.

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Category

Aer Lingus and AerClub, British Airways and Avios

Comments (39)

This article is closed to new comments. Feel free to ask your question in the HfP forums.

  • Frenske says:
    26 Jan26 January 08:26

    OT though Aer Lingus has this too. It looks like Schiphol Amsterdam is looking at Clearing US customs and immigration at Schiphol airport.

    • Rob says:
      26 Jan26 January 10:01

      Quite a few airports put their hands up didn’t they? Wasn’t Manchester in as well? The problem as I understand it is that the airport must pay for EVERYTHING – including the salaries and housing costs of the US immigration officials. Unless your US flights are confined to a small window of the day you are looking at a lot of people to provide 7 / 365 coverage.

    • John says:
      26 Jan26 January 12:38

      Is it? AMS was looking at US preclearance in 2015, but I thought the talks fizzled out because the government was anti-Trump.

      I read a forum post that BRU was going to agree something with the US in 2018.

      In my view, ARN is likely to introduce US preclearance facilities before AMS, if either airport goes forward at all.

      Interestingly, MIA is planning to introduce Cayman Islands preclearance, though it looks like it won’t be a permanent facility with the Caymans officers just flying out and back on the same flight.

  • NA says:
    26 Jan26 January 08:41

    OT: does anyone have a Airbnb referral link to share? I remember seeing one on HFP in the past but can’t locate it.

    Thanks!

    • Rob says:
      26 Jan26 January 09:58

      It’s in the right hand sidebar! But feel free to use Frenske’s as Anika just books more time off work in order to spend it all if you use hers 🙂

  • AlexT says:
    26 Jan26 January 09:47

    OT, but thought I’d ask:

    I currently have an AMEX Gold and am thinking of using the link people have shared in comments to upgrade to Plat for the 20k bonus. If I haven’t received a specific invite from AMEX to do ti, would I still get the points? If so, could someone please reshare the link?

  • Nicole says:
    26 Jan26 January 10:14

    OT but related – have booked an Aer Lingus flight to Toronto through Executive Club using avios, and now basically can’t access the booking online – only most basic stuff (ie not seat booking) through BA and not at all through Aer Lingus, where it comes up as a technical issue. Aer Lingus staff says it’s because it an avios booking, so nothing to be done. Has anyone else experienced this? Is this always the way for Aer Lingus avios bookings? Fairly annoying if so!

    • Nick_C says:
      26 Jan26 January 11:34

      Aer Lingus will be using a different record locator to BA. If you can’t see the Aer Lingus record locator on “manage my booking”, contact BA and ask them for it. You can probably then use that locator on the Aer Lingus website.

      • Brian says:
        26 Jan26 January 14:22

        Yeup, it’s a well known problem, I’m afraid. Avios actually tickets on BA 125- stock, so it’s texhnically a “travel agent” booking as far as EI’s antique systems are concerned.

        Some people have had luck getting seats assigned, but not many.

        • Nicole says:
          26 Jan26 January 17:52

          Ah thanks, was afraid of that. Have been trying to get seats booked as travelling with children…was told someone would do it and email me, but not holding out hope!

      • Nicole says:
        26 Jan26 January 18:02

        Ah thanks, was afraid of that. Have been trying to get seats booked as travelling with children…was told someone would do it and email me, but not holding out hope!

  • Jonny says:
    26 Jan26 January 11:31

    OT – worth the upgrade (using Avios) from CW to First, on 5-hour flight LHR to TLV? Boeing 777. Travelling with my family (wife + kids aged 2 & 4).
    I’m thinking “yes” as on a 2-4-1 so only 22,500 Avios extra for all of us. And get access to Concorde room / seat selection / bit more luxury.
    Welcome thoughts though!

    • Nick_C says:
      26 Jan26 January 11:39

      Wouldn’t you be better in CW where you can get the middle block of four seats, you can see your children, they can see you, and they will be close to each other?

      • Jonny says:
        26 Jan26 January 11:43

        Yeah I did think that (assuming can book a 4-seater – am BA Bronze, and not paying £££ to choose seats!!). But just seemed a decent opportunity to fly First…

        • Scallder says:
          26 Jan26 January 17:05

          I’d say go for it. For that price, for 4 of you is very good. Doubt you’ll get much cheaper opportunities…

    • Mark F says:
      26 Jan26 January 22:43

      Similar thought from me. My wife (never turned left on a plane before) and I are using Avios and Amex 2-4-1 voucher to fly LHR to JFK, out Club World, back First. Downside is no Tier points earned for me. Could I subject to availability use extra Avios to upgrade outward leg to First and earn Tier points, as well as Concorde Lounge etc? First World problems territory I know!

  • Fraser says:
    26 Jan26 January 12:26

    I just looked at EDI-DUB yesterday for mid-Feb travel.

    It is the same Aer Lingus flight, but almost £100 more if you book it via BA. Be warned!

  • Travel Strong says:
    26 Jan26 January 14:57

    O/T: is there a was to print itinerary details for 2015 trip that I no longer have the booking ref for? I can see it in my ‘flightpath’ on the BA website but get no more info. BA call centre cut me off twice, then put me through to India who gave me duff info on how to get access to the itinerary. I need evidence of my travel for a particular trip.

    • Jonny says:
      26 Jan26 January 15:12

      Avios statements go back 3 years on the BA site, so if you select the appropriate time period the info should be there

  • Rhys says:
    26 Jan26 January 15:10

    Apologies for the OT but no Bits today. I will be going to a conference in Miami in April and can either stay in the JW Marriott Marquis or the Hotel Beaux Arts, Autograph Collection. I am Gold through the Amex Plat. Any views on which one to choose or likely benefits from being Gold? Thanks

    • Nick says:
      26 Jan26 January 17:55

      Ditch them both and go for Conrad, one of the best hotels in the world.

      • Rhys says:
        26 Jan26 January 18:53

        Sadly it’s for a conference so corporate policy is to stay in the conference hotel(s) only.

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