Aer Lingus has added a new Airbus A330-300 into its fleet.

The new aircraft, named Saint Carthage, has a total capacity of 313 seats.

St Carthage the Elder was an Irish bishop and abbot in the sixth century.

He was a Kerryman who set up a monastery, first in Kerry, then at Rahan in Co Offaly - and finally at Lismore in Co Waterford.

The plane is scheduled to make its first commercial voyage Wednesday afternoon, on flight EI109 from Dublin to New York JFK.

Inside an Aer Lingus Airbus A330-300 | Image: Aer Lingus

Aer Lingus says the the newly-received aircraft represents "a significant investment" by Aer Lingus in its transatlantic network.

The A330-300 list price is in excess of US$200m (€178.75m).

This summer will see Aer Lingus increase its Los Angeles service to a daily flight for the peak season, Dublin to Orlando will increase to four times per week, and Chicago will also increase to a double-daily service in the same period.

A new Miami route is also to begin flights in September.

Declan Kearney, director of communications at Aer Lingus, says: "Summer '17 will be our busiest on record and the new aircraft will join our longhaul fleet operating 13 routes between Ireland and North America".

A recent survey found that more Aer Lingus flights arrive on time at UK airports than its rival, Ryanair.