Aer Lingus has their own frequent flyer scheme called AerClub, which I joined to get Aer Lingus status points as well as Avios. You can add your BA Executive Club number to the booking, but you will only get Avios and not tier points. It is also possible to book this flight on BA.com, but this is not advisable due to the same ticket being double the price, versus booking directly. The only indication you are flying the UK subsidiary is a small “Operated By” notification.Īer Lingus, like British Airways, is owned by IAG and partakes in Avios so flights can be booked using either Avios or cash. The Aer Lingus route map, showing departures from ManchesterĪer Lingus UK does not have a stand-alone website, as it operates flights on behalf of Aer Lingus in the same way that BA CityFlyer appears on the BA website. This review is of the maiden flight of Aer Lingus UK from Manchester to Barbados. Originally Boston was going to launch next year on the A321 but in the latest schedule release, this plan appears to have been dropped as Aer Lingus plans to return to some Shannon services after all. The A330s are both just over a decade old but the A321LRs are less than a year old.īarbados and Orlando are to be operated by the larger A330s and New York by the A321LR.
Both aircraft types have previously been operated for the Irish flag carrier under Irish registrations, but have been transferred to UK ones under the new airline. Aer Lingus UK has a fleet comprising both A330-300s and A321LRs. The carrier also planned to serve Barbados, which was not affected by border closures, and so this ended up being the maiden flight for the carrier in mid-October. They approached multiple airports around the UK about basing their aircraft there (likely with quite heavy subsidies), and in the end, Manchester was settled upon and subsequently Aer Lingus UK was born.Īer Lingus UK originally planned to launch operations to Orlando and New York in late July, but ultimately due to the US borders remaining shut these flights were delayed (and then delayed again). Anyone who has headed down far, far too early to be met with limited shops and cafés will be glad of the gleaming white, dapper lounge, which is open to all business class passengers.During the pandemic, Aer Lingus decided to close their base at Shannon and reallocate the aircraft previously based there. 51st & Green (below) opened last year, and is located beyond US pre-clearance. The newest addition is perhaps the most welcome when it comes to transatlantic flights. After check in, you can call into the Aer Lingus Gold Circle lounge, to relax a little before heading down to pre-clearance - where, don’t forget, your business class ticket allows you to join a dedicated, shorter queue. Or, rather, lounges – at Dublin airport you have a plethora of them.
When you take your seat, a warm towel is handed to you, along with the glass of champagne in a cute glass adorned with the Aer Lingus logo.īut Aer Lingus really comes up trumps in the lounge. Amenity kits are stocked with top quality Voya products – think lip balm, moisturiser, facial wipes and mouthwash, in a handy pouch (that has since become my go-to toiletry bag). The little touches make all the difference.