Aer Lingus A320 Flight Review. Dublin to Lyon
I'm just home from a few days in lovely Lyon. A few pounds heavier thanks to their fantastic cuisine and determined to brush on my long forgotten French.
I flew Aer Lingus to Lyon and it was as expected with Aer Lingus. A pleasant flight with exceptionally friendly staff. And I even broke a personal record on the flight home.
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Getting To The Airport
I took the Dublin Express bus from the city center. It's just €12 roundtrip from Dublin City to the airport. You book a ticket for a timed departure, you are confirmed on that, but you can get on any other bus within 12 hours either side if space is available.
I tried to get on an earlier bus, but the driver said it was full, despite it not really being full. No worries, within two minutes another bus arrived and it was totally empty. Dublin Express uses the port tunnel which skips a whole lot of traffic and we were at the airport within 20 minutes of leaving the city.
Dublin Airport Taxis
When we pulled up at Terminal 2 at Dublin Airport, I saw there was a big queue for taxis. I know there's often queues at night, but this was 11am on a Tuesday morning. I wouldn't like to get off a long flight and have to wait another 30 minutes for a taxi. Either book your Dublin hotel that is near an airport bus stop or prebook an airport transfer. They cost about 30% more than a taxi, but they wait on you in the arrivals hall. It's worth it after a long flight.
Or get an airport hotel.
Aer Lingus Check-In
I had already checked in online with the Aer Lingus app and I had hand luggage only, so I was able to go straight to security. Aer Lingus have an odd luggage system where they actually encourage you to check your hand luggage. It's free to check your bag, but costs money to bring it on board.
I had a small backpack and asked one of their staff in the check-in area if it was ok to carry on board and she said "ah yeah, you're grand". Aer Lingus has its faults, but their staff is not one of them. Always very friendly in that relaxed Irish manner.
For the transatlantic traveler, I did notice some changes to check-in for the US flights. You can read more about on my US flights guide.
Terminal 2 Security
I'm the guy that has everything ready, belt off, liquids out and take 5 seconds to drop my stuff in the bin and move on. But I have this impressive skill of choosing the security line with the least experienced travelers ahead of me.
Even so, it took less than 10 minute and I was airside.
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Connecting in Dublin
I had lounge access, but the Dublin Airport Aer Lingus lounge is just ok with no hot food and I was meeting someone who didn't have access so we went to the best coffee shop in Dublin Airport, Cloudpicker, and had some coffee there.
It's next to the door where connecting passengers who just landed in Dublin and are headed to transatlantic flights come out. I was impressed with just how many people connect in Dublin these days. DUB was always a point to point airport, but not anymore. US bound passengers can use Dublin Airport US Preclearance to skip the long waits at immigration in the US.
The Dreaded Gate 335
My flight left from Gate 335. This involves going to an out of the way gate area, then boarding a bus to an even more out of the way area.
Gate 335 is actually five gates, each lettered A-E. and you boardRyanair-style via stairs onto the plane instead of via a jet bridge. Pray for a dry day.
Aer Lingus Boarding Groups
Aer Lingus have 3 boarding groups.
- For members with high level membership & connecting business class passengers.
- Passengers who paid to carry on luggage
- The rest of us
I was in group 3 and boarded via the rear steps. Because they encourage checking your bag, the luggage bins were nearly empty. Our US visitors will be shocked by that. I was able to put my small backpack up there with no issue.
The Plane. Grey Míle Fáilte
The plane was EI-DEL, a 2o year old Airbus A320. I love the shamrock on the til. but the interior is so bland with grey and white. I miss the old Aer Lingus seats with Irish writers lines embroidered in green seats. I used to love getting on an Aer Lingus plane and feeling instantly at home. I know Aer Lingus isn’t Irish owned anymore but there is hardly a nation that it more loved than Ireland and feels a shame not to embrace that and created a warmer atmosphere on board.
Aer Lingus don't have business class for intra-Europe flights, but if you fly to Heathrow, Malaga or Faro, they use their transatlantic A330s on those routes sometimes and you can pay a small amount extra for the lie flat seats. Something to look for when booking.
The Flight
The flight was full but it's amazing how much quicker a flight is boarded when so few people have carry on luggage. The captain came on and welcomed us on board. He announced there were two captains and a first officer on board, so it may have been a new pilot with a supervising captain keeping an eye on things.
We took off on time. The space is tight enough, but it was only a 1hr 45 min flight so it was fine.
Aer Lingus cabin crew are consistently very friendly and it was the same on this flight. I was peckish and asked for an Irish Breakfast Wrap but they were sold out. Then I asked for a full Irish Breakfast instead and they were sold out, so I ended up with a chicken sandwich, Twix and tea. It was €11 and the quality was good.
We landed on time and quickly got through immigration and I was on my way to Lyon.
An uneventful flight that importantly took off and landed on time.
If your EU flight was delayed, you may be entitled to compensation up to €600 under EU law. Check if you qualify for compensation
Ireland by Locals
The Return Flight
My return flight was a bit more eventful. Lyon Airport departure gates are more like cow pens. You're herded into an area with no seating just before your departure. We did have an excellent view of the plane though and saw the captain was very concerned about something. Then they got a cherry picker out and were looking down on the plane from above.
We boarded 30 minutes late and the captain explained the plane was hit by lightning on their approach and that is why they were looking so closely.
The plane wasn't even half full, so we had loads of space. It was the same plane, EI-DEL and I was in the same seat and got the same meal, so not much to report about this flight.
Record Breaking
We touched down in Dublin Airport at 6pm and I was on the Dublin Express by 6:20! In that 20 minutes, the plane taxied to the stand, we deplaned, got through immigration and walked to the bus area. I've flown through Dublin Airport more than 300 times and that is the fastest I've ever done it.
Terminal 2 is a much nicer entry point to Ireland than the very busy and older Terminal 1 at Dublin.
More Taxi Queues
As I boarded the bus, I noticed another long line for taxis. This was 6pm on a Saturday.
Prebook your airport transfer and you'll know your driver's name, car details, and exact price before you land. Book your secure transfer
Cost Of The Flight
Aer Lingus are the only airline that fly this route, so without the Ryanair competition, it's usually more expensive. I booked two months in advance and paid €156 for the roundtrip ticket. This included picking my seat both directions.
You can search for flights here, but I recommend booking direct with airline. Sometimes packages including flights & hotels are cheaper with Expedia though.
Dublin Hotels
Dublin's has a place to rest your head no matter your style. I've been in most of them picking up guests for my walking tours. I've sorted my recommendations by traveler type, luxury, budget all with real guest reviews.
Darragh
Final Thoughts
Aer Lingus have a computer system from the 80s and I don't always choose them for that reason, but when I am traveling with them, I really do like them. It's a very Irish experience with friendly staff and I do love boarding a plane with a shamrock on its tail.
