Aer Lingus

After flying Ryanair for the past 7 years, I found a cheap fare for Aer Lingus, I didn't hesitate to book the flag-carrier for my return leg. Boarding was a shambles to be blunt about it, like cows walking into a barn, just banging into each other and no order of a queue. This was due to handling agents at Venice and not EI crew. The departure was speedy and comfortable, the crew were very smily and friendly upon boarding. The captain have numerous updates throughout the flight about delays and our ETA. Meal service was excellent. Although slow, this didn't matter on the 3 hour flight. The food was so fresh. I could tell the scone was baked recently and the bread on my sandwich was so soft. The best inflight food I've head in a while to be honest. Although it's not free, it is reasonably priced. The approach was very quick and we landed 10 minutes ahead of schedule after departing 20 minutes late which was nice. De boarding was nice and a big farewell from the smiley crew. A very enjoyable flight.

The third Aer Lingus European flight I've taken in the space of 3 weeks, with excellent and experienced crew. Baggage delivery in Dublin super fast. Only let-down seems to be their agents and handlers at their European bases. This time, passengers were left queueing at the wrong checkin area, some for over an hour, before discretely telling only some passengers it was changed to another area and everyone started running leaving many disgruntled customers and tense exchanges in queues over who was ahead of who. Lastly, check-in only commenced 1 hour 50 minutes before scheduled departure and not the 2 hour 30 minutes indicated on their website. Aer Lingus reputation being seriously compromised by uninterested and unprofessional ground agents in some Airports.

Twice in the past two months, the online check-in service was not working several hours prior to check-in - neither on the phone or on the PC. (I travel often with AL along with Ryanair and Air France and I know what I am doing). Aer Lingus has been making a big thing in its advertising how you can be "smart" by using their different ways to check-in. Well I had to check in at the airport and arrive much earlier, like other passengers. That was quite disruptive. Worse still, the Aer Lingus customer service (in two separate messages) does not reply in response to this matter. A pity, as otherwise a good product. I've never had this disruption with Air France or Ryanair.

12.00pm flight, Sunday 2nd August, however we weren't airborne until 12.40pm due to aircraft arriving late from Dusseldorf. Big queues at Check-in/bag drop in T2 but managed well by Staff. Only major complaint here is the extortionate €50 to Check-in a bag at airport (one-way) as I'd forgotten to online. Flight itself was staffed by an excellent crew who willingly engaged with passengers throughout. Service was relatively quick for such a packed flight and prices very reasonable. Bags in Lyon took 1/2 an hour to start delivery, for whatever reason as the airport seemed quiet, which inconvenienced my getting the onward train connection. All in all another decent job by AL.

Having flown several times from NY to European countries I immediately noticed a significant difference in quality. The aircraft seemed old and somewhat threadbare, the cabin (not individual) A/C was much too cold for 7 hours, food was of poor quality and the sound from the entertainment system was inaudible.

EI134 (06 July 15) and EI135 (27 July 15) were Omni Air International 767's with non-Irish crew. In-flight entertainment was startlingly bad in first class on EI134 (chunky hand-held viewers with three or four tepid films) and non-existent on EI135 (even fewer films and shows repeated on tiny seat-back screens hourly, as in the 1990's). There was no in-flight wi-fi, so good thing I brought a book. First class inflight meal (EI134) was good, but first selection (beef) was unavailable. Inflight meal on EI135 was positively inedible except for the roll - not even dressing for the salad. First choice of meals on EI135 (chicken) was unavailable again. Second choice was tentatively identified as "beef". This was a shabby performance by Aer Lingus and I have come to expect much better.

Travelled with my 2 sons ages 4 and 7. Had ordered 2 children's meals and found out at service their meals weren't on board. Due to being delayed my son's went 8 hours without a meal and I had to feed them chocolate throughout the flight. Also the inflight entertainment did not show one children's movie. Awful customer service, they won't let me talk to a manager or Senior member of staff and have forced a travel voucher upon me I did not wish to accept.

Arrived somewhat early for the flight and had to wait an hour for check-in to open as the queue continued to grow. However, check-in staff were friendly and quickly got through the line. A full flight so boarding was a tad chaotic moreso due to passengers not obeying the gate announcements. The flight closed up 25 mins after scheduled takeoff time (8.35pm) and consequently the pilot informed us we missed our slot and could not be airborne until 9.50pm Luckily, the situation improved and we took off at 9.30pm arriving in Dublin only 15 mins behind schedule. The senior cabin manager was delightful, accommodating and always smiling. Nice flight, efficient inflight service, cockpit updates and baggage delivered very quickly upon arrival. All in all a very good experience despite the initial delays.

Was delayed in Dublin, flight cancelled to Jersey in the end, but put in marvellous hotel, provided 3 course meal and prompt transport back to airport in the morning. Greatful thanks to Aer Lingus and taxi service they provided.

I had a connection in Dublin for 2 hours, which stresses me out the most. During the JFK-DUB leg, the crew was the most hospitable crew I have met. My seat was broken, making me recline without pressing the button, and the IFE had a pretty poor choice of movies, but other than that, Aer Lingus left me with an impression. Dublin Airport is clean, and when I was there for the connection, we were the only outbound flight, so the terminal was empty. Would fly with Aer Lingus again, especially with their incredible prices.