The history of Aer Lingus dates back to the early 1930s, when the Irish government decided to set up a national airline to provide passenger and mail services between Ireland and the UK. The airline was originally named Irish Sea Airways Ltd and was established on 15 April 1936. The airline changed its name to Aer Lingus in 1938 and began operations on 27 May 1936, with a flight from Baldonnel Aerodrome in Dublin to Bristol Airport in England.

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Since its establishment, Aer Lingus has grown to become one of the largest airlines in Europe, with a fleet of over 120 aircraft, operating to more than 40 destinations across the European continent. The airline has a fleet of Airbus A320, A321 and A330 aircraft, as well as Boeing 757 and 767 aircraft.

Over the years, Aer Lingus has achieved several important milestones in its history. In 1947, the airline became the first European airline to operate jet aircraft, when it took delivery of the De Havilland Comet 1. This marked the beginning of a new era for Aer Lingus, as the introduction of jet aircraft allowed the airline to offer faster and more efficient services to its customers.

In 1995, Aer Lingus launched its first transatlantic route, flying between Dublin and New York. This marked the first time that an Irish airline had flown to the United States. The route was a huge success, with the airline carrying more than 1 million passengers in its first year of operation.

In 1997, Aer Lingus became the first airline in the world to introduce a fully automated check-in system, which allowed passengers to check in for their flights at any time of the day. This system revolutionised the way that passengers checked in for their flights and made the process much more efficient.

In 2006, Aer Lingus became the first European airline to offer a web-based check-in system, allowing passengers to check in for their flights online. This system also allowed passengers to choose their own seats and print their boarding passes.

In 2008, Aer Lingus became the first Irish airline to join the OneWorld alliance, a global airline alliance which includes some of the world’s leading airlines. This allowed Aer Lingus to expand its network and offer more destinations to its customers.

Unfortunately, Aer Lingus has also been involved in some serious incidents over the years. In 1968, an Aer Lingus Vickers Viscount crashed into the sea off the coast of Ireland, killing 61 passengers and crew. The investigation concluded that the cause of the crash was pilot error. In 1995, an Aer Lingus Airbus A320 crashed near Cork Airport, killing all four crew members on board. This crash resulted in an extensive investigation by the Irish Aviation Authority, which concluded that the cause of the crash was a faulty fuel pump.

Despite these tragic incidents, Aer Lingus has continued to grow and evolve over the years. The airline has become one of the most successful airlines in Europe, offering a wide range of destinations to its customers. With its modern fleet of aircraft and commitment to safety, Aer Lingus is well placed to serve its customers for many years to come.