Flying Ireland to the US On American Airlines in Coach
I had to fly to the US recently I flew with American Airlines via Charlotte on the outbound and via Philadelphia on the return. Dublin Airport shone, but American's flight attendants didn't.
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I've been flying to the US for 30 years from Dublin and flow more than 100 to the US and it's amazing how smooth it's become.
Buying the Ticket
I booked the ticket just a few days before the flight and because I needed to travel just after the first ever NFL game in Ireland, I couldn't travel on the day I wanted. The flights were all full with the 40,000 fans flying back to the US. I had to wait few days until there were some seats and even then, I ended up paying near business class fare for coach class.
Getting To The Airport
I live close to Dublin Airport but there's no bus line, so I took a taxi. There was a lot of traffic though and it took 20 minutes longer than normal (this is why I always recommend staying at an airport hotel before your flight home).
I noticed that the taxi line for folks who just landed at the airport was very long too. This was my third time at the airport in two weeks and I've noticed this is the new norm. More on this later.
Ireland by Locals
Check-In at Dublin Airport
I checked-in online on American's website the night before the flight and added my boarding passes to my Apple Wallet. And since I had carry-on luggage only, I was able to go straight to security at Dublin Airport.
I did take a look at the US check-in gates and they weren't too busy. The check-in kiosks and bag drop process has really sped up check-in.
Security at Dublin Airport
Just the week before I flew, Dublin Airport announced new and great rules to their screening. You are allowed to bring liquids in containers up to 2 liters and you don't have to take your electronics out of your luggage. I was through security in less than ten minutes. Bravo Dublin Airport.
US Preclearance At Dublin Airport
Here again, I flew through it. There used to be a secondary security screening at Preclearance which slowed things down, but that is not used anymore. The lanes are still there, but I didn't see anyone being pulled over for screening.
I have Global Entry and walked through in 30 seconds, no kidding. I love Global Entry. Even in the non-US citizen area, there wasn't much of a line, although I suspect that's because nearly every one my flight was American.
Record Breaking Time!
From being dropped off by my taxi to being at my boarding gate took less than 30 minutes. That is a record for me!
In my US Preclearance Guide, I recommend getting to the airport 3 hours early and I will still officially recommend that because there can be delay, but I think I'm going to cut it a bit closer in future, 2 or 2.5 hours early.
Ireland by Locals
US Preclearance Boarding Area
Dublin has flights to 24 US destinations (at my last count). Great for visitors and the economy, but the boarding gate area has become packed. Uncomfortably so. Especially in the lower gate area, so I escaped to the upper lever. It used to be a ghost town up here, but it's busier these days, although more space than downstairs.
I queued 15 minutes to buy a sandwich at Dubh Cafe. They were all packed with long lines.
Dublin Airport Terminal 2 & US Preclearance
AA 725 Dublin To Charlotte
Economy Class 777-200
I knew the flight was going to be packed due to the NFL and this was my first time in years flying coach across the Atlantic. First world problem I know, I fly business with air miles btw, not cash! But there were no award flights and I ended up paying nearly business class fare for a coach ticket.
I'd forgotten the US love for bringing carry-ons. Ryanair & Aer Lingus don't encourage carry-ons, so it was a reminder that it's a lot more common in the US, so boarding took a long time.
It was also my first insight into the crew. I saw one crew member rolling his eyes as someone tried to store a bag. This was to be a theme throughout the flight from the crew.
I never saw the cabin crew smile once and there's prisons that serve the meals in a friendlier manner. Aer Lingus have such friendly cabin crew that maybe we're spoiled in Ireland.
The plane was a 20 year old Boeing 777-200. I sat in the rear coach cabin in a 3-4-3 layout. It felt tight, but I managed to get somewhat comfortable in my seat and it was only a 7h30min flight.
We took off on time though and it was an uneventful flight. Uneventful is good. I had the standard chicken and rice meal, ice cream was thrown at us somewhere over the Atlantic, yet more flight attendant eye rolling when my neighbor didn't realize that the spoon was in the lid and an inedible snack before landing. But that was ok, I was planning on my first Chik-Fil-A in a long time at CLT airport.
Dublin to Charlotte. AA 725. American Airlines 777-200
AA 722 Philadelphia to Dublin
Economy Class 787-8
My return flight had me connect in Philadelphia and I was happy to try out a different airport and airplane.
I could see on the AA app that the return flight was nowhere near full. The last three rows of coach were completely empty, so I booked myself a seat in the second last row. The more space the better on a red-eye flight. So I was disappointed when I got on board and saw that my old friends, the cabin crew, had blocked off those rows for themselves. When I approached my seat, I was told to move to 'my new assigned seat'. Assigned by the crew, not AA.
I know it's normal for crew to block off the last row, which is why I booked second last row, but to keep the whole area to themselves was frustrating. It was another sign of things to come, they were unfriendly and barely said a word beyond "Chicken or Pasta" the whole flight.
The 787 Dreamliner is more comfortable than the old triple 777. Having more space around me did contribute to that feeling of comfort.
There ended up being a two hour delay due to technical issues. Well done to the captain on keeping us very well informed. He could teach the crew a thing or two who hid the whole time.
We finally took off to applause from the passengers who were already searching Philadelphia Airport hotels on their phones
It was another uneventful flight. More chicken & rice. I even tried some of the complimentary boxed wine and it wasn't bad. Less than 6 hours after taking off in Philly, I could see the familiar head of Howth below us and we landed safely back home in Dublin.
Philadelphia to Dublin. AA 722. Boeing 787-8
Dublin Airport Taxis
I needed a taxi when I landed and my heart sank when I saw the long line for a taxi. This was 10am on a Tuesday, hardly peak time, but I see it all the time at DUB now. The taxi driver told me that he had waited 30 minutes for the pick up too.
I ended up waiting 25 minutes, not too long, but after 14 hours of travel, I could have done without it.
If your hotel in near an Aircoach stop, take the coach instead. Or book a private airport transfer. They cost about 50% more than a taxi, but they are waiting with your name on a sign instead of you waiting in a cold line outside. Well worth the money.
Prebook your airport transfer and have someone waiting on you when you land. We don't use Uber in Ireland the way you use in the US.
Book your secure transfer
Summary
We all take flying for granted these days so I feel bad writing about my minor gripes when I watched a movie and ate in comfort while flying across the Atlantic. I thought Dublin Airport and Preclearance and the American Captain were excellent, the American cabin crew less so.
And, you know what, coach wasn't bad at all! The short flights certainly help but next time, I'll book ahead of time and hopefully be back up front in business class.
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Ireland by Locals
Ireland by Locals
Ireland by Locals
