Aer Lingus - good or bad?

MBN

Hello,

I'll travel to Cork in December, and I've noticed that Aer Lingus has got some really good offers at the moment. Has anyone used them before? Are they reliable? What about other companies which fly to Ireland? (I'm flying from London)

Please, please help!

Many thanks:A

rubytwilight

I flew Aer Lingus in April, Glasgow to Dublin. Very pleased with flight - even more pleased that return flights inc airport taxes was only thirty nine pounds.

richardw

Ryanair fly from Stansted and Gatwick, Aer Lingus from Heathrow. If heathrow is convenient I'd pick Aer Lingus.

MBN

Wow, such quick replies - thank you both! My flight would cost around £57 with Aer Lingus, which is not bad - and I would also get Piggypoints, which is even better!:-)

I am glad to see that they've got a good reputation. Perhaps I should give it a go.

shannon

I fly to Ireland quite a lot and have flown with Airlingus and Ryanair. Not much difference really.

If i had to choose i would say Ryanair. Only because i have found them to be cheaper than Airlingus.

Not sure what dates you are travelling on but i have just looked on Ryanairs website and they have some good deals on at the moment.

For example

From London Gatwick to Cork return

Depart Tues 5th Dec

Return Fri 15th Dec

Total Cost of Flight including Taxes, Fees & Charges £13.12

Pretty good price if i say so myself .

shannon

Just had a quick look at Airlingus and the cheapest return flights from London to Cork in December are £1 excluding taxes

So a return trip at this price including Taxes, Fees & Charges would be £42.04

So booking with ryanair would save you £28.92

HTH


EDIT..to be honest im not sure why the taxes are coming up so low with Ryanair. I'm sure they are usally higher than this.


Going out
Web fare Adult Reg Fare 0.49 GBP
Tue, 05 Dec 06
Flight 9853
Depart London Gatwick (LGW) 14:50
Arrive Cork (ORK) 16:15



Coming Back
Web fare Adult Reg Fare 2.99 GBP
Fri, 15 Dec 06
Flight 9852
Depart Cork (ORK) 12:55
Arrive London Gatwick (LGW) 14:20


Pricing

Going Out (Web fare)
1 @ 0.49 GBP 0.49 GBP
Taxes, Fees & Charges
details 5.00 GBP

Coming Back (Web fare)
1 @ 2.99 GBP 2.99 GBP
Taxes, Fees & Charges
details 4.64 GBP

Total Cost of Flight
13.12 GBP

MBN

Thanks Shannon. I wasn't very tempted to try Ryanair because of the recent bad publicity regarding their surcharges (loads of posts on MSE on this issue, as you know). My first choice would have been Easyjet (flown with them before), but there are 'no matching flights available' for Cork/December on their website at the moment.

I will check Ryanair's prices - many thanks for this.

lancsman_2

I wasn't very tempted to try Ryanair because of the recent bad publicity regarding their surcharges

The only difference between them and others is the marketing tactics. In many cases Ryanair taxes are cheaper than a few of the other budget flyers.At the end of the day getting a qoute off Ryanair is just the same as anyone else, they give you an end figure.

D

jetboy

Easyjet have scrapped their Southern Ireland routes from the end of summer. Given the choice I'd pick Aer Lingus over Ryanair any day. You'll probably get a better baggage with EI allowance too.

Nobjocki

Aer Lingus have re-positioned themselves in the market as a low-cost airline whilst still retaining many long-haul routes with their traditional values on customer services.
Ryanair are a charabanc airline where you get what you pay for.
I use both frequently and it all comes down to whichever is cheapest - the flight is only an hour after all.

shannon

Nobjocki wrote:

Aer Lingus have re-positioned themselves in the market as a low-cost airline whilst still retaining many long-haul routes with their traditional values on customer services.
Ryanair are a charabanc airline where you get what you pay for.
I use both frequently and it all comes down to whichever is cheapest - the flight is only an hour after all.

I totally agree