More than 20,000 people have made advance bookings on the new Aer Lingus Ireland-Los Angeles service, which has its inaugural flight today. It is understood that there is also a considerable percentage of business class bookings at around £3,000 per return flight.

Aer Lingus chairman, Mr Bernie Cahill said the figures were ahead of expectations. Although the service will operate three times per week initially, Mr Cahill said demand augured well for increasing this to five, probably next year.