And because they pride themselves on getting everybody back home safe and sound a tale today of Aer Lingus’s turtle recall to Gran Canaria.
Turtles, of course, are more used to sea travel so Solstice will be the envy of his shoal.
Getting to fly all the way from the west of Ireland where she had veered off course back to his island off the north coast of Africa.
The green turtle, of course, carries an in-built sat-nav.
But this little fella, who is believed to have been between 5 and 8, was beaten up on his journey north.
It was believed that she had become separated from her parents.
And we know from our own snorkelling misadventures from the Caribbean to the Red Sea.
And all places in between that turtles are very familial.
Hero in a half-shell
When she was discovered washed up on shore last Christmas Eve Turtle Jnr had bite marks, likely inflicted by a seal or shark.
Now you might think that our marine pals have hard shells but this little critter was also suffering.
From pneumonia and meningitis brought on by the cold North Atlantic waters.
Thankfully for our wee hero she had reached the most welcoming place on earth.
Where a volunteer from Hogsprickle Rescue in Co. Clare reached out to the expert team at Dingle Oceanworld to nurse her back to health.
And give her a name, Solstice.
A Canarian return
Now having spent the last five months undergoing extensive treatment to return to full health Solstice, who weighs 3kg and measures 30cm in length, is back home in the Canaries.
In advance of the flight Captain Conor Barrett and his colleagues in Ground Ops, Maintenance, and Flight Operations, worked closely.
With Dingle Oceanworld to carefully plan for Solstice’s journey home.
From custom transport containers to on-board environmental controls, every precaution was taken.
To ensure Solstice’s safety and comfort during the flight.
An official from Tarifa Wildlife Recovery Centre was on hand at the other end.
To begin her re-adaptation to her environment, with the goal of releasing her back into the wild.
Your seat is waiting
Donal Moriarty, Aer Lingus Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, said: ‘Aer Lingus is proud to support the team at Dingle Oceanworld in their remarkable efforts to give Solstice a second chance.
‘Every measure has been taken to ensure Solstice’s safety and comfort as she travels with Aer Lingus to Gran Canaria.
‘Solstice has her own assigned seat, right next to her carer.
‘And a specially designed container that has been fitted safely by our engineering team to ensure a smooth journey.’
Now Aer Lingus has seen it all in its 80 years.
A turtle’s path
And this is not the first, or even second time the national airline carrier has worked with local rescue teams to help a lost sea turtle find its way home.
Loggerhead turtle Julius Caesar, affectionately known as ‘JC’, was reunited with his native land in 2021.
And before that ‘Leona,’ also a loggerhead turtle, was transported back to Gran Canaria in 2014.
Now the takeaway from all of this is that Canarian turtles clearly like to holiday in Ireland, and who can blame them, and vice-versa.
Which is why Aer Lingus’s turtle recall to Gran Canaria has become a thing.
And why you weren’t seeing things and your fellow passenger on your latest flight was of the sea variety.
We found a sample return fare with Aer Lingus from €362.30 return.
