Aer Lingus - any good?

[disney2014plan]

looking at prices now, and Air Lingus seem good (would be Heathrow to Orlando via Dublin). In-laws swore they would never to an indirect flight since doing Iceland air via Reykjavik and having horrific turbulence, but might be persuaded. I've previously flown Virgin, so would be interested in people's experiences of Aer Lingus.

 

[DISWolves]

Exactly same boat as you, so would also like some feedback
Always been a Virgin customer, as not a fan of multi stops, but looks like they have lost the plot, with the latest tact of charging for seat selection.
We are also flying Aer Lingus but BIrmingham Dublin Orlando route in Biz Class.
Our first 1 stopper since 1993!!!!!

 

[flortlebap]

Haha - you should point out to your parents that turbulence can happen anywhere and a direct flight won't avoid it lol!

The good thing about going via Dublin is I believe you can clear immigration there and beat the huge queues in Orlando the flight to Dublin would be very short so your parents shouldn't worry. And Aer Lingus does get very good reviews! We have considered it in the past but haven't booked yet

 

[disney2014plan]

@flortlebap

That sounds amazing, if it's true that would make me even keener to go.

 

[DISWolves]

Clearing immigration in Dublin was the thing that won it for me!

 

[wayneg]

Flew with them twice last year no problems. Wouldn't hesitate to use them again. Hope they drop their prices for this year as just now Virgin are cheaper direct for our dates.

 

[crabbie1]

Flew with them twice last year no problems. Wouldn't hesitate to use them again. Hope they drop their prices for this year as just now Virgin are cheaper direct.

Do they have seat back tv's and free drinks?

 

[crabbie1]

Just checked our dates and VA are £1048 for 2 adults. 30/11-12/12 will check aer lingus as well as bhx sounds very appealing.

 

[wayneg]

Do they have seat back tv's and free drinks?

There were SB TV's but no idea what was on them, no idea how anyone can watch a screen so small I just listen to music on flights.
Unlimited soft drinks, don't know about alcohol, don't drink on flights.

 

[wilma-bride]

We are flying with them in October. Our first time indirect also (not counting when we lived in Northern Ireland and HAD to go indirect). They definitely weren't as cheap as I'd hoped but were cheaper than both Virgin and BA, and the immigration thing won me.

Considering using them for New Year flights too.

 

[disney2014plan]

Haha - you should point out to your parents that turbulence can happen anywhere and a direct flight won't avoid it lol!

Shhhhhhhh!

 

[starrysky]

Haha - you should point out to your parents that turbulence can happen anywhere and a direct flight won't avoid it lol! The good thing about going via Dublin is I believe you can clear immigration there and beat the huge queues in Orlando the flight to Dublin would be very short so your parents shouldn't worry. And Aer Lingus does get very good reviews! We have considered it in the past but haven't booked yet

Honestly we have used them three times now and they have been great each time. The pre clearance is great and it really cuts down the time once you get to Orlando as you just get off the flight and go. Because you land as a domestic flight you only have to go to one baggage claim as well. Ok so a couple of hours in Dublin is not ideal but you kind of save time overall without the immigration and two baggage claims.

We have been in to the airport and then on ME checking into the resort in 1 1/2 hours give or take.
The free non alcoholic drinks are good as is the entertainment. Food is better than most airlines I have been on. You can also pay extra for a more fancy meal if you want but we have never found the need to. Staff on the whole very friendly and helpful.
Overall I would highly recommend them and we add thinking of using them on an upcoming trip to New York.

 

[Woodview]

Hi All,

We fly Aer Lingus all the time ( We live in Ireland )

Flights are Direct to MCO ( Leave Dublin @ 12.40 ) and arrive as a Domestic

Passenger at about 5pm

This is because You have done PRE Immigration in Dublin & at the Immigration

Desk you do Customs as well ( You have to Identify your case ...which

should be displayed on Screen )

Flights are Tuesdays , Thursdays & Saturdays

Last one is 23rd October 2014

Free Seat Selection .... Seat Screen TV.. With returnable

Headphones ....... Free Soft Drinks ..... Wine & Beer is NOT FREE

Choice of 2 types of food ( + pre ordered Vegitarian Etc )

BUT YOU can Pre Order a different Meal at your own expence

When in MCO you go Direct to Shuttle Train and then to Baggage Claim B

 

[queendisney]

I must admit if I was to go in-direct then this is the first route I'd look at. I like the clearing of immigration etc at Dublin. Luckily our flights are very cheap with VA when we go and last year we were through immigration etc at MCO and at the resort within 1 1/2hours of leaving the plane. (no body in the arrivals hall)
Just a reminder by the way that you don't have to drop your bags again when you have picked them up off the carousel at MCO, you can take them with you on the monorail and this can save you sometime not having the 2nd carousel pick up.

 

[ABZDisneyFan]

Have flown a couple of times with them from Heathrow to New York in business class & can't fault them.
We're flying with them to MCO later this year in business & really looking forward to it.
The seat is not as good as the true flat beds that BA have but for a short hop across the pond the angled lie flat is fine.
The service has always been fantastic & we rate the food as better than BA.
Not flown down the back of the bus with them though, so can't comment on what that is like.
I'm happy to PM a couple of links to trip reports that other people have done on them if anyone is interested.

 

[crabbie1]

There were SB TV's but no idea what was on them, no idea how anyone can watch a screen so small I just listen to music on flights. Unlimited soft drinks, don't know about alcohol, don't drink on flights.

I tend to listen my ipod and take ipad as well. Dont drink either wayne except for the one traditional baileys. I checked for our dates but nearly £300 more than VA. Problem is they dont fly on the days we have booked. Will see nearer the time

 

[disney2014plan]

Hi ABZ

A PM would be lovely, thanks. None of us would want to drink alcohol on the flight, so that is not an issue (but clearly would like soft drinks). Thus far, they seem to be a bit of a winner.

 

[ABZDisneyFan]

Hi ABZ A PM would be lovely, thanks. None of us would want to drink alcohol on the flight, so that is not an issue (but clearly would like soft drinks). Thus far, they seem to be a bit of a winner.

PM sent yesterday.

 

[london75]

Can I ask what the return is like, we've got a miles booking outbound on Virgin and just looking for cheapest return we can find which is Aer Lingus but all flights seem to have a pretty hefty stop in Dublin meaning you don't get home until the afternoon (although you do get a long last day which is good as we're finishing on a cruise).

How is the stop in Dublin on the way home? Does it fly by pardon the pun?

 

[wayneg]

Can I ask what the return is like, we've got a miles booking outbound on Virgin and just looking for cheapest return we can find which is Aer Lingus but all flights seem to have a pretty hefty stop in Dublin meaning you don't get home until the afternoon (although you do get a long last day which is good as we're finishing on a cruise).

How is the stop in Dublin on the way home? Does it fly by pardon the pun?

Can't help you with that one, flown out to Orlando but both our return flights were from Boston, once we had to move thru Shannon airport ASAP with ony 1 hour connection, other time thru Dublin we had a bit longer, time to have a breakfast and still a bit of time but wasn't that long.