THE ROUTE
Aer Lingus flight EI154, Dublin to London Heathrow.
THE AIRCRAFT
While most on this route are the Airbus A320 (the spine of the brief haul fleet), I’m in luck and flying in the Airbus A321neo LR, the latest, most fuel-efficient Aer Lingus plane which additionally travels their trans-Atlantic routes. This means roomy seats, giant in-seat screens, worldwide plug energy factors and a 50 per cent discount in engine noise.
THE LOYALTY SCHEME
Aer Lingus membership is AerMembership with a gaggle of code share companions together with Etihad, British Airways and United Airlines. Status is recognised, which implies unexpectedly receiving quick observe perks because of my Etihad standing.
CLASS
Economy, trying pristine with a contemporary charcoal and blue palette.
DURATION
One hour 25 minutes, on time.
CARBON EMMISSIONS
Aer Lingus is a part of the Spanish-registered International Airlines Group which has dedicated to web zero carbon emissions by 2050. Investing within the extra environment-friendly A321neoLR is a key a part of their sustainability efforts.
FREQUENCY
This is the airline’s bread and butter route, with 17 every day flights to the UK capital.
HEALTH
The Airbus plane are fitted with filtration know-how, the identical utilized in working theatres and cabin air is changed each three minutes. Masks are optionally available on most European routes together with this one (there are exceptions).
CHECKING IN
I’m utilizing the “Evening Prior” service, the place pre-8am flyers can verify in between 4pm and seven:45pm the evening earlier than. My greatest concern, matched by verify in agent James, is the bounty of in-season, freshly bottled Cork blood orange jams from native markets that simply mightn’t clear safety. “We can’t have that”, he says jovially, and checks in my (barely chubby) carry-on bag with no cost.
THE SEAT
Business class appears the true deal, with lie-flat seats providing the primary indication this is not a regular brief haul flight. In my financial system cabin, I’m in a center seat, however do not thoughts because of the sense of house and luxurious. It’s an ordinary 18-inch width, however barely much less padding makes it really feel bigger.
BAGGAGE
A carry-on bag as much as 10kg is included free and a 20kg bag prices €20 ($30). Even with a final minute reserving, this fare was solely barely dearer than low price, abominable Ryanair for a similar route.
FOOD
Food is suspended on brief regional routes as a well being measure to scale back cabin motion.
ENTERTAINMENT
I’m floored, the vary is much (far) superior to a current long-haul flight. There’s tv field units, newest blockbusters together with House of Gucci, documentaries on Louisiana wetlands even Offline, a snowboard film. But I’m hooked by Ireland County by County, with Irish presenter Ciara Whelan revealing the perfect of Ireland from the shores of Sligo to the mountaintops of Kerry, inspiring one other journey.
SERVICE
It’s the trifecta of environment friendly, relaxed and pleasant. Aer Lingus is an airline on a mission, and the crew’s new uniform (in navy and Kenmare inexperienced, a sort of teal) by Irish designer Louise Kennedy marks the ultimate stage of the model’s refresh. Repositioning itself as a contemporary worldwide airline with a proud Irish heritage has included an up to date brand (search for the candy shamrocks on the wing ideas) and plane livery, lengthy haul A321LR plane, new US routes and celebrating 65 years of transatlantic flying.
ONE MORE THING
Given the airport is just quarter-hour from town, a Dublin weekend go to from Europe is simple. At the airport, go to The Design Ireland retailer that includes small scale designers chosen by the Design & Crafts Council Ireland (DCCI) for Irish produced gadgets.
VERDICT
The stress-free Dublin airport expertise, spacious inside, unimaginable leisure array, a aggressive worth level and pleasant workers, makes this revamped nationwide service a quiet achiever and top-of-the-line within the European skies.
OUR RATING OUT OF FIVE
★★★★½
The author travelled as a visitor of Tourism Ireland.
Source: traveller.com.au