We are going to desert Virgin and fly Aer Lingus for the first time........hopefully in Business.......so I need some help with the silly questions from people who have flown with them before!
1) We are going to fly from Birmingham to Dublin then Dublin to Orlando..........does our luggage allowance count on the B'ham to Dublin flight?
2) What is the entertainment and food like compared to Virgin?
3) When you arrive in Orlando I know you don't have to go through customs so which part of the airport do you arrive at? Do you still have to go on the monorail with your bags?
Thank you so much!!!
Debx
We've flown this route a few times, in Business.
1. Yes, it does. If you fly Business, the allowance is 3 x 23kg bags each. Your bags will be checked through from BHX to MCO.
At pre-clearance in Dublin you'll be shown your bags on a computer screen and asked to identify them.
2. Entertainment. It depends on which Virgin system you're used to. Aer Lingus is pretty good but not as good as the best Virgin systems.
Food. I'm not a fan of any airline food but have found it better on Aer Lingus than on Virgin - the warm scones with jam and clotted cream are particularly good
The service on Aer Lingus is far better than any I've experienced on Virgin, and that includes Upper Class. And it is consistently good, which can't be said for Virgin.
3. In Orlando you arrive as a domestic flight. So you just get off the aeroplane, take the monorail to the terminal, collect your bags from baggage claim and you're away.
Be aware that at Birmingham you may have to ask for some of the perks of Business Class. Because there is no such thing as Business Class on Aer Lingus from Birmingham, some of the check-in staff don't always acknowledge that you are travelling in Business for the greater part of your journey and that it entitles you to certain things.
For example, you may well have to ask about lounge access in Birmingham (it's the Servisair Lounge) because they won't volunteer the information. Similarly with fast track security - you should get a pass for that but it may not be offered, you may have to ask. Also, your luggage should be tagged as Business Class but this may not be done unless you specifically ask about it.
I raised these issues with Aer Lingus following our first flight on this route and was assured that it would be addressed. However, we've had varying experiences on subsequent trips and I think it's all down to whoever checks you in on the day.
When you arrive in Dublin, follow the signs for connecting flights - effectively at the end of the long walk, as most people go straight ahead, you need to bear left. You have to go past the immigration booths, where there may or may not be someone who wants to see your passport, then you go through security. After security, go up the escalator and you're in Dublin T2.
It's a very pleasant terminal with a good selection of shops and restaurants. If travelling Business, you'll have access to the Gold Circle lounge which is fairly good. You can help yourself to a selection of soft drinks, beer, and (I think) wine and spirits. There's also food, good for a snack but not a full meal, although more than just the crisps and biscuits at many lounges (eg Servisair in Birmingham).
They will make an announcement in the lounge as to when you should go for US pre-clearance. Our experience with this has varied from being able to almost walk straight up to a desk to having to wait over 30 minutes. There are 2 separate lines, one for non-US (generally to the left) and one for US citizens (to the right).
After pre-clearance you have to go through security yet again (3rd time in one morning!). As others have said, be prepared that there's very little in the way of facilities once you're through pre-clearance.
Our experience of pre-boarding has varied. Sometimes they have called Business Class first, sometimes they haven't. Sometimes there's been a separate boarding area to one side, sometimes there hasn't.
But once on board we've always been warmly welcomed and very well looked after.
If you have any questions, please just ask and I'll do my best to answer.
