AER LINGUS is due to complete the introduction of extra capacity on key UK routes next month.
The replacement of Boeing 737s with Airbus A321s from Heathrow to Dublin and Shannon gives the airline an extra 30 seats in each aircraft.
Larger jets also allow Aer Lingus to offer more business-class seats. The 180-seater A321 is often configured with 100 business seats.
The B737s will be used on Irish routes to mainland European destinations.
Aer Lingus is also improving its UK regional flights with the switch to BAe146 jets from turboprops on Newcastle, Leeds/Bradford and Bristol routes. The airline’s Fokker 50 turboprop fleet is due to be taken out of service next year.
The use of jets will give Aer Lingus an all jet fleet within the UK.
Aer Lingus has also improved timings for its six daily Stansted-Dublin flights as it continues its fight for market share on the route with low-cost rival Ryanair.
The carrier is also looking at introducing B737s in place of BAe146s at Stansted to give extra capacity.
Shannon flights from Stansted and Birmingham may be relaunched this winter following Aer Lingus’ decision to axe them in February when codeshare partner ABAirlines dropped its services.
The Irish airline is currently in negotiations with ABAirlines about a possible new codesharing agreement on the route from Gatwick to ShannonAirport.