Other European Frequent Flyer Programs - [MOVED]EI SFO-DUB Nonstops in 2010?

Each year EI has been offering SFO-DUB nonstops on a seasonal basis from late spring through early fall. This year service ends Oct 23.

In checking the schedule I did not see any EI flights listed for next summer. Does anyone know if these flights will be offered? If so, when is it likely they will be loaded into the schedule based on experience from previous years? Thanks.

Moving as EI are not in *A

Markie - Co-Mod *A

Each year EI has been offering SFO-DUB nonstops on a seasonal basis from late spring through early fall. This year service ends Oct 23.

In checking the schedule I did not see any EI flights listed for next summer. Does anyone know if these flights will be offered? If so, when is it likely they will be loaded into the schedule based on experience from previous years? Thanks.

EI's DUB-SFO service was not seasonal. It was a round the year service which now has been completely scrapped from the schedule due to EI's dire financial situation.

The same goes for Shannon-Chicago and Dublin - Washington. Shannon- New York is under review with expectations that this will also be terminated in the near future.

As EI is reducing its A330 fleet it is unlike that the routes will be reinstated.

EI's DUB-SFO service was not seasonal. It was a round the year service which now has been completely scrapped from the schedule due to EI's dire financial situation.

The same goes for Shannon-Chicago and Dublin - Washington. Shannon- New York is under review with expectations that this will also be terminated in the near future.

As EI is reducing its A330 fleet it is unlike that the routes will be reinstated.

Although the Long-Haul fleet has certainly been reduced, there will actually be spare capacity during this coming winter schedule - which commences from October 25th. In addition, another A330-300 is scheduled to be delivered in H1 - 2010, which really negates the effect of the planned retirement of EI-DUB (A330-300).

I think there is a good chance of DUB-SFO being reinstated as the actual demand is certainly there for the route during the summer months & despite the obvious financial difficulties at EI, the DUB-SFO route was by no means a continuous loss making one. However, the route is very exposed in terms of oil prices. Once oil prices rise towards $80+ per barrel, it is difficult for the route to be a profit making one, even with healthy demand.

However, if any route were to return in 2010 from the list of Long-Haul routes that have been axed for the coming winter schedule it would be DUB-SFO in my opinion.

However, if any route were to return in 2010 from the list of Long-Haul routes that have been axed for the coming winter schedule it would be DUB-SFO in my opinion.

+1 for that opinion... of all the routes being cut for the winter, DUB-SFO is the only one that is being talked about (among staff) as a possibility to return... theres also talk of DUB-LAX being started again, but to a lesser extent

+1 for that opinion... of all the routes being cut for the winter, DUB-SFO is the only one that is being talked about (among staff) as a possibility to return... theres also talk of DUB-LAX being started again, but to a lesser extent

I very much agree with you there also ^

The DUB-SFO route works well all year round during prolonged economic prosperity, with many Blue-Chip & (what were previously thought to be recession proof) entities located within the general catchment area of SFO airport. This is especially relevant in terms of Premium/Business Class traffic.

With the recent unprecedented contraction in the global economy as a whole, the route has now become more dependant upon leisure traffic & is therefore being discontinued for the coming Winter schedule.

With this in mind, LAX could be a more stable option overall for EI in relation to reduced seasonal variability in terms of demand & also because of the vast array of onward connections available from LAX. For those seeking to reach SFO as a final destination, it is only a very short flight up from LAX.

In terms of fuel costs, the difference is not significant for EI, with about an extra 20 minutes added to the Westbound total flight time. However, once oil approaches & exceeds that figure of $80 per barrel, there is significant strain on any profit making element of a US West Coast link for EI.

Going forward, I think it is very important for EI to re-establish a US West Coast link in terms of the overall route network, but also in relation to general business interests & investment in the Irish economy originating in that region. However, with strong signs of a very gradual economic improvement in the US & across other nations, it may not be long before oil accelerates back towards $80 per barrel.

EI Premier