Aer Lingus Dublin to NYC

scottishf

I havent flown with them before, does anyone have any experience of flying with them ?

melanzana

Yes, what would you like to know?

scottishf

How comfortable they were for long haul, if they were reliable, if they are very strict on their hand luggage limits etc

melanzana

scottishf wrote: »

How comfortable they were for long haul, if they were reliable, if they are very strict on their hand luggage limits etc

The Transatlantic AL plane is an Airbus A330/200.

In economy the seats are two, four two across the aisle. We got two together on the side aisle. OH said they were a bit of a "tight fit", but I found them fine. Great to have just two seats together, no bother about going to the loo, or getting up for a stroll around the aisles! Really, unless you are in Business Class on AL they will pack em in, but it was ok. It's not THAT long a journey really from Dublin. Took off on time (well maybe a few minutes delay, but nothing nasty). A lot of Transatlantic flights take off in a window in the mornings, and they ALL do their best to go on time.

I went with room in my hold luggage to put the hand luggage wheelie inside that case IFSWIM - for the shopping stuff for the return, so I can't say about hand luggage. In general though they are fine, never saw any weighing happen, but if something the size of Nellie the Elephant's trunk arrived at the gate, (as someone did....) it was put in the hold free of charge.

Matter of fact, now that I recall, when checking the bags in JFK on the way back to Dublin, they offered to put our hand luggage in the hold for free along with the paid bags. Normal size hand luggage, no weighing. That was brilliant, always ask about this. But remember to keep valuables, passport, medications and other essentials in the "handbag" or "manbag" that you will take on board.

Service was fine, food ok, IFE ok.

The best part was the pre clearance in Dublin. Straight out of JFK and all we had to do was wait for the bags, and then into the city. That was brilliant!

Allow three hours in Dublin Terminal 2 to drop bags, go through security and get to the USA pre clearance. There is a second security in the US clearance area, but nothing like the main one, it moves very quickly. There is not much in the pre clearance area so if you are hungry, get something to eat before going to the US immigration area.

Anything else you might like to know, please ask.

scottishf

The only other question I had was, when I go to book it asks for the passanger names as on the passport - does this include middle names or only first and last names ?

richardw

First and last names are sufficient.

scottishf

one more question - between flights can you go out for a cigarette ?

piglet74

Dublin to JFK is a direct flight, ie non stop.

melanzana

piglet74 wrote: »

Dublin to JFK is a direct flight, ie non stop.

Maybe OP is travelling from somewhere else and transiting through Dublin?

Even if not, and going direct from Dublin, I do know that there is a smoking area airside in Terminal 1 in Dublin. I recently accompanied my aunt who is an inveterate smoker and she made flippin sure she found it! It is on a terrace attached to a restaurant on the first floor near Burger King. Anyone will direct you.

You can get from T2 to T1 for this, it's a bit of a trek, but Airport staff will tell you. You have to go in the direction of certain gates at T2 and there is a corridor to T1.

Make sure you leave plenty of time to get there and back, particularly if using the US pre clearance immigration. They will not wait for you!

scottishf

sorry, yes I shouldve said - I am going from Glasgow to Dublin and then to JFK - I was told that T4 doesnt have smoking facilities...

melanzana

scottishf wrote: »

sorry, yes I shouldve said - I am going from Glasgow to Dublin and then to JFK - I was told that T4 doesnt have smoking facilities...

Terminal 2 doesn't, which is where the Transatlantic flights depart from.

But as I said, IF you have the time, you could trek over to Terminal 1, where there is a smoking area.

Just take care of the timings. It is a bit of a trek from T2 to T1 for a smoke!