Surge in sun holidays sees Aer Lingus use larger aircraft on short-haul routes 

Aer Lingus usually uses its smaller Airbus 320 aircraft for European routes. Picture: David Creedon

A large spike in Irish holidaymakers seeking the sun this summer has led Aer Lingus to use its larger transatlantic aircraft on short-haul routes to Faro and Malaga.

The airline normally uses its smaller single-aisle Airbus 320 aircraft for European routes, which carry up to 174 passengers, but when demand is present, will use its American-focused aircraft, which can accommodate 320 travellers.