Any idea when Aer Lingus will be a Oneworld member again?

[MTAB]

Mid last year it was announced by IAG that, following its takeover by BA, Aer Lingus would be rejoining the Oneworld alliance.

Does anyone have an update on when this will be finalised and the likelihood of award flights being available?

I am sweating on an EI DUB-YYZ flight being available to complete a jicksaw itinerary I am struggling with. Any information would be much appreciated.

 

[kelvedon]

I haven't come across any firm date either. The chatter on FT suggests it usually takes 18 months from the initial announcement, though there's no mention of them on the oneworld website, so sometime this year?

 

[Himeno]

Part of the reason EI left oneworld in the first place was because they didn't want to pay to upgrade their computer systems to the level needed to create the links to the then incoming new members (like JL and RJ). EI also cut a lot of costs and became a semi low cost carrier after they left the alliance. While I understand the way the links happen between airlines systems have changed since then, they are still going to need to upgrade their IT systems (at least to connect to BA and IB) before they rejoin.

 

[MTAB]

Thanks to both Himeno and kelvedon for their valuable input.

I was hoping (optimistically) that EI rejoining would happen sooner rather than later as Willie Walsh (IAG CEO) seemed to indicate that he was going to get it done in the nearish future back in July 2015 when the potential impediments from Ryanair and/or the Irish government to the acquisition were removed. Oh well, I will just have to be patient and less hopeful.

 

[Oxy]

I am sweating on an EI DUB-YYZ flight being available to complete a jicksaw itinerary I am struggling with. Any information would be much appreciated.

Qantas currently offers EI redemptions if that is of use. I couldn't get their computer to find DUB-YVR though.

 

[smit0847]

Part of the reason EI left oneworld in the first place was because they didn't want to pay to upgrade their computer systems to the level needed to create the links to the then incoming new members (like JL and RJ). EI also cut a lot of costs and became a semi low cost carrier after they left the alliance. While I understand the way the links happen between airlines systems have changed since then, they are still going to need to upgrade their IT systems (at least to connect to BA and IB) before they rejoin.

You can't 'sort of' join an alliance. You either do or you don't. If they were not willing to take all the steps necessary to join I doubt they would ever have announced they were going to!

 

[tmdellit]

I know I'm bringing this thread back from the dead, but has anyone heard any updates on this?
I'm tossing up whether to book Aer Lingus (cheaper, more direct option) or British Airways (more expensive option with stopover) in Early January 2017. The only reason I'm considering BA is purely down to my Sapphire OW status and the benefits that come with that (lounge access and extra baggage allowance). If Aer Lingus were to come back to the alliance then that would answer my question for me.

 

[Himeno]

When there is any news, it will be posted on the oneworld website https://www.oneworld.com/news-information/oneworldnews