Flight Catcher/Aer Lingus/Connection Flights

Danstar_2

I'm flying to the US mid August and have a few questions.

Is Flight Catcher a reputable site?

Is Aer Lingus a bad airline? Because I'm connecting a flight in NYC going through US security seems good so less likely to miss connection. Plus I can get business class flights for £900, I know it's Aer Lingus but surely would be better than coach on United?

If the Aer Lingus flight is delayed and I miss my connection, I'm planning 2 1/2 hours stop over just in case are they liable for the cost incurred?

If I fly with a partner airline would my baggage be transferred and not end up sat on the carousel? Not sure how to ensure my suitcase ends up on the right plane.

Caz3121

Danstar wrote: »

If the Aer Lingus flight is delayed and I miss my connection, I'm planning 2 1/2 hours stop over just in case are they liable for the cost incurred?

If I fly with a partner airline would my baggage be transferred and not end up sat on the carousel? Not sure how to ensure my suitcase ends up on the right plane.

If you have your connection booked on a separate ticket Aer Lingus will be contracted to get you to New York only, if you miss your connecting flight you would be on your own to sort something out (maybe check if your travel insurance will cover you as a precaution)

If on separate tickets some airlines will interline bags other will not

Danstar_2

Thank you, define interline for me though please. I presume it means forward my baggage on to the airline I am flying with?

Alan_Bowen

1. Cannot find a valid flightcatcher website either .co.uk or .com! I presume you have alreday bought your tickets so if you have your eticket details contact Aer LIngus and aske them to check the reservation

2. £900 sounds highly unlikely for business class in August especially as they have been reducing the number of flights and reportedly putting prices up. A search for a random departure on 15th August returning two weeks later gives me a price of £2200 return from the UK in Business Class

3. Most flights are better than United!

4. Aer Lingus is a good airline that has fallen on hard times but Business Class, whilst not being in the top league is a reasonable journey at an unbeliveable price

5. Aer Lingus uses terminal 4 at JFK, all flight arrivals are international and have to go through the nightmare that is immigration and customs but Aer Lingus put some, not all, their flights through pre clearance in Ireland meaning you arrive as a domestic flight in New York. If that is the case, 2 and half hours will be fine. If its not pre cleared, then I might be tempted to try and book a later flight onwards, particuarly as Aer Lingus is not part of any airline alliance and you will have to re check in for your second flight. Look at the JFK website to see which terminal it departs from and see how far away it is from T4

Danstar_2

Alan_Bowen wrote: »

1. Cannot find a valid flightcatcher website either .co.uk or .com! I presume you have alreday bought your tickets so if you have your eticket details contact Aer LIngus and aske them to check the reservation

2. £900 sounds highly unlikely for business class in August especially as they have been reducing the number of flights and reportedly putting prices up. A search for a random departure on 15th August returning two weeks later gives me a price of £2200 return from the UK in Business Class

3. Most flights are better than United!

4. Aer Lingus is a good airline that has fallen on hard times but Business Class, whilst not being in the top league is a reasonable journey at an unbeliveable price

5. Aer Lingus uses terminal 4 at JFK, all flight arrivals are international and have to go through the nightmare that is immigration and customs but Aer Lingus put some, not all, their flights through pre clearance in Ireland meaning you arrive as a domestic flight in New York. If that is the case, 2 and half hours will be fine. If its not pre cleared, then I might be tempted to try and book a later flight onwards, particuarly as Aer Lingus is not part of any airline alliance and you will have to re check in for your second flight. Look at the JFK website to see which terminal it departs from and see how far away it is from T4

Ahh, it's not a return I'm flying one-way.

Would it be worth the extra £150 to fly with Swiss Air, even though Aer Lingus goes through US security? I've been looking at their site and their planes look pretty good but I can't work out if it will be one of the new ones?

Alan_Bowen

A one way flight to the US... I just hope you have a visa as they won't let you in otherwise without a return ticket. Swiss is in a different league to Aer Lingus, I know no one who hasn't enjoyed the service on Swiss

Danstar_2

Alan_Bowen wrote: »

A one way flight to the US... I just hope you have a visa as they won't let you in otherwise without a return ticket. Swiss is in a different league to Aer Lingus, I know no one who hasn't enjoyed the service on Swiss

Yer I have a student visa,

So you would say it is worth the extra then?

dzug1

Unless they've changed the system, you only go through immigration in Dublin - you still have to collect your bags on arrival, take them through customs and recheck them, even if they are tagged through.

mad_rich

Danstar wrote: »

Yer I have a student visa,

So you would say it is worth the extra then?

Only you can make that call. It's £150 for a few frills. But they are very good frills, and I would certainly consider stumping up the cash. You would go from a business class pretender to one of the best products in Europe. SWISS is an outstanding airline, particularly in the premium classes.

Where would you be flying to with SWISS? To New York, or directly to wherever it is you're going in the US? JFK, SFO and BOS use their brand new planes (SFO in delightful flower-power livery). Other routes will be in the old cabin (but still very good).

And don't underestimate the value of the frequent flyer miles you'd earn. Much more on SWISS than on Aer Lingus.

dzug1

Danstar wrote: »

If the Aer Lingus flight is delayed and I miss my connection, I'm planning 2 1/2 hours stop over just in case are they liable for the cost incurred?
.

If YOU are planning the connection, then no, they are not liable.

If THEY are planning the connection, they are.