News


Direct flights from West Coast to Ireland a tough sell says Continental United

Business leaders intends to lobby United Continental about new route


LAX Airport, California - west coast flights from Ireland a tough sell
LAX Airport, California - west coast flights from Ireland a tough sell
Photo by Google Images

Guinness PubFinder Ad

Some business leaders in Silicon Valley have expressed their disappointment at Aer Lingus’s decision not to relaunch direct flights from Dublin to the west coast of the U.S.

John Hartnett, founder and president of the US-based Irish Technology Leadership Group told the Irish Times he was “hugely disappointed” by the Irish airline's decision. He now intends to lobby United Continental about establishing a direct route to Ireland.

Hartnett said he has “reached out” to United Continental.

“We probably now need to be more aggressive,” he told the Irish Times.

“We need to concentrate our efforts on United Continental.”
------------------

READ MORE:
Aer Lingus airline in talks with four California airports re new Dublin service

Aer Lingus says no plans to resume West coast flights


Aer Lingus passenger numbers on the up

------------------
United Continental is the newly merged U.S. airline carrier, making it the biggest in the world. It operated flights from Dublin and Shannon to Newark Airport in New Jersey, where a lot of Irish passengers then connect for flights to the west coast.

When approached by the Irish Times about the possibility of establishing the new route a spokesperson from Continental United described it as challenging.

“It requires more resources including fuel and is dependent on there being the right market size locally in order to make it viable.

“At United, we are in the business of being competitive and working to ensure that routes we serve are viable.”


Nster.com


5 Comments

See all comments

Thanks Bogside, but I don't need your advice. I have flown Continental Business Class on many occasions (never flew United Business). I can say that CO's Business Class is a lot better than what you get in steerage, but it's not worth the money if you pay for it. For transAtlantic Business Class I recommend Air France. Iberia is quite good too. In my case, it was either a case of my employer paying or me using OnePass miles. I've flown nearly a million miles on Continental, I'm expecting a big gift from them in 2012 (maybe 2013) when I hit the million mark. But your post is kind of absurd, Bogside. You seem to think that people who pay economy (and that can often be almost $1k if you're going to Europe in high season) should just grin and bear the uncomfortable little 757 rust buckets that CO uses to Ireland?
Don't like the bilge/economy class seating/food? Then, Fly United-Continental Business/First class GeorgeDillon.
Georgie Boy.The only reason it's uncomfortable is because you supersized your own ass.I mean if they serve the worst food why would you want more of it?Sounds to me like you could do with a 10 hour fast.I'd say you moan because the priest only gives you one wafer at mass.
No loss. Continental runs the most uncomfortable planes on the TransAtlantic, and serves the worst food--and not much of it. 10 or 11 hours on a Continental flight to Dublin sounds like it deserves a plenary indulgence for us Catholics.
It can be accomplished with a little flexibility, a little extra work and a monetary incentive. Stop at an outlying airport near NY, Boston or Phil. The passengers would not deplane and empty seats could be sold at bargain prices. However, overbooking would not be an option. Not a true non-stop, but a better alternative than changing planes.
 




Log into IrishCentral with your Facebook account


or sign-in directly

E-Mail:
Password:
 Remember me Forgot my password
Not a member? Register Now!
print this article Print
email this articleE-mail