I recently flew Aer Lingus A330-200 economy for the very first time. I hate to admit it, I wasn’t really expecting all that much.
The thing is, this is an airline that I’ve always considered to be somewhat plain. And bland. Then again, people have been accusing *me* of being plain and bland for my entire life, so – perhaps this was a match made in heaven?
EI145
Dublin, Ireland (DUB) – Los Angeles, CA (LAX)
Sunday, September 22, 2019
Aircraft: A330-202
Registration: EI-DUO
Duration: 10 hours 0 minutes
Seat: 33G (economy)
My full review of Aer Lingus A330-200 economy class from Dublin to Los Angeles
After a one night stay at the Radisson Blu (located adjacent to DUB), I made a beeline straight towards Terminal 2 just after 8am. Well, more specifically, I was making a beeline for Aer Lingus flight number 145 to LAX, but I needed to traverse through Terminal 2 to get there.
Before getting too far into this review, how about a huge round of applause for the Dublin airport authority? Long story short, this terminal is amazing! Leaps and bounds better that what I experienced on my last visit here in 2005.
The pre-departure experience
Passing through the security checkpoint was lightning quick despite the number of US-bound flights departing this time of day. I’d estimate that the entire process took 25 minutes. Tops.
Since I wasn’t expecting Aer Lingus economy class fare to be anything remarkable, I figured that kicking things off with a 3000-calorie traditional Irish breakfast was the most appropriate thing to do.
You know that healthy round of applause we all gave the Dublin airport authority just a moment earlier? All I’m gonna say is that it doesn’t apply to the basement gates. It’s tight down here.
On the plus side, there are big windows with really nice views of the action, and I arrived just in time to see my A330-200 arrive. So, maybe a golf clap is more appropriate.
I still can’t figure out why we were assigned a basement gate today. Level 2 of this terminal is quite large and very spacious, but for some reason or another we weren’t allowed the privilege of being up there with everyone else.
The boarding process
The boarding process started exactly on time. In other news, that 3000-calorie breakfast was starting to come back and haunt me (in not so pleasant ways).
Seat overview
Today’s aircraft over to Los Angeles is an A330-200, which surprised me considering how dense of a route it is. Wouldn’t it make more sense to use a larger A330-300 instead? At least the seats looked pretty good.
You didn’t really think I’d take a window seat, did you? For the record, I love window seats just as much as anyone else, but not in long haul economy. Especially on days like today when the clearest and most direct route to the lavatory is preferred mandatory.
Anyway, as you can see, there are the usual pillows and blankets at every seat, and I was thinking that I liked what I saw so far. At least I thought so.
I’d also like to take a moment to say how impressed I am with this economy class cabin so far. For some reason or another I was expecting these old Aer Lingus a330-200s to be extremely ratty and worn down, but this felt (and looked) like a brand new airplane.
The first meal service
What’s the deal with sour cream and chive pretzels in this part of the world? This is the exact same snack I got in British Airways A350-1000 premium economy a few days earlier, and I was really hoping to never see this stuff ever again.
Did you know that you can pre-purchase premium meals in Aer Lingus economy? You can, and you totally should. Why? Well, primarily because you will be served before everyone else. It’s also business-class quality food served on *real* dish ware.
Also included with the premium meal is a free drink – I went with wine, but as I was recording the voiceover for the video I couldn’t help to think that I missed a huge opportunity by not going with a thick Irish beer instead. You know, the kind that leaves behind a sloppy foamy mustache after every sip.
Cabin comfort
With the first meal service complete, it was time to settle in and get comfortable for a few hours of “nothingness”. Thankfully, it’s fairly easy to get comfortable here on the Aer Lingus A330-200. Those in-between hours weren’t so bad.
A little over half way through the flight, the flight attendants came through the aisles with little containers of vanilla ice cream. Now, don’t get me wrong. I love ice cream just as much as I did when I was 6 years old, but airplane ice cream is always rock hard and impossible to chisel into for at least 20 minutes.
It was during my LATAM 787-8 economy class experience that I learned that being trapped in a window seat on a long haul flight isn’t much fun. Spending the entire flight trying to calculate my water consumption vs it’s relationship to cabin humidity and the eventual need to use the bathroom is hard!
Oh – and speaking of cabin humidity levels, this flight proved to me once again that I prefer the Boeing 777 for flights of this length instead of the A330. I’d recommend reading my in-depth A330 vs 777 comparison for all the details, but I will say that the low cabin humidity levels on the A330 wreak havoc on my sinuses.
The second meal service
Good news: the full Irish breakfast situation had dwindled into “non-issue” status as we rolled into the 8th hour of flight, and I won’t be providing any extra lavatory footage for you today. You’re welcome.
The descent and arrival into Los Angeles
In what is possibly the most abrupt end to an airline review ever: welcome to Los Angeles! This flight went by in a flash, and I definitely could have endured another 3 hours no problem. I mean, “easy peazy”.
So, the question is: is Aer Lingus long haul economy something you should avoid? Absolutely not in my opinion, and if you do end up trying it for yourself, can you please do me a favor? Tell them that SANspotter is still feeling bummed about the lack of green mood lighting. Thank you.
Oh! I can’t even believe that I forgot to mention one of the best things about flying to the US out of Ireland. Preclearance of US passport control and customs.
Yup, it felt so freaking awesome to arrive at LAX just as if this were a flight from Fresno or something. A perfect way to end this flight IMHO.
syvjeff
HI Scott – In early 2018 I found an affordable J fare on Aer Lingus (I know what it rhymes with-Thank you Saturday Night Live) from LAX-DUB-DUS and back. Great service, food and the pre-clearance on the way back was well worth this business trip. I would definitely fly them again and once we are able to get some miles or status from flying them it would even be better. BTW I did receive some United miles from using them for this trip.
SANspotter
Glad you had a good business class experience with them! Makes me feel better about my temptation to give it a try as well. Hopefully soon…
John S
Hey Scott. I need to start flying to US ex DUB in order to save the hassle of clearing immigration on landing. Next trip to US, that’s how I fly!
I am finally having a series of new trips coming up! December to Thailand via the new Daxing airport in Beijing (in J!), then Maui in January!
SANspotter
Yes, US preclearance is so nice!! I’m actually sitting at YVR as I type this, just about an hour away from a flight back to the US. It feels great knowing that I’ve already passed through passport control and customs – one less thing to deal with after landing.
Anyway, sounds like amazing trips! Can’t wait to hear about them!
Michael
Scott;
Interesting read however allow me to explain why you were boarded from the “basement”. The US CBP Immigration facility is in the “basement” and after clearing that area you enter a part of the terminal designated as sterile, hence the reason all US flights departing Dublin board from here.
This has been the boarding procedure for a number of years at Dublin since US CBP set up the facility in T2
If you purchase any duty free items in the “basement” area you will even have a US tax imposed on your purchase by US Custom, so if you want to buy duty free make sure you buy it before you clear US Immigration.
Tolya
Hi thank you for Great review of Your flight
We will be using them from SEA to DUB to FRA
Planning to bring carry on only
How strict were they in your opinion with luggage
Thank you
Scott (SANspotter)
Hey Tolya! You’re very welcome. They don’t seem to be very strict IMHO – I saw people with all sizes of carryon bags and there were no issues.
Daniel Megli
This is a great review! I’m about to fly AL for this first time and you covered a lot of the questions I had about what to expect including pillows. Can you tell me about the headphone jacks though? If I bring my own will I need an adapter for dual prong or is it a normal single prong outlet? Thanks!
Scott (SANspotter)
Thanks Daniel! The headphone jacks on this plane were the dual prong type. However, keep in mind that this review is 4 years old now, and things might have changed since then. I’d bring an adapter just in case.
Michael
Thank you for your review. I am traveling with the fam from Denver to Scotland this summer and AL is one of the airlines we’re considering. I love that the flight will be on the A330 as I have never been on one before. The other option we’re looking at is United on a 757, which I truly don’t want to be stuck on for 9+ hours. Are there any other airlines you would recommend we look at for this route? It seems like AL might be the most interesting option. Thanks!
Scott (SANspotter)
You’re very welcome Michael! Absolutely go with Aer Lingus. I always try to fly non-US airlines when traveling outside of the United States, as the onboard experience is generally better. Not only that, it’s always nice to get away from the monotony of United, American, Delta, etc.
And you’re right, 9 hours on a 757 would be brutal.
Go for it – and have fun!
Jana
I have a 72 year old mother who will be traveling Seattle – Rome (I’ll be going SFO to Rome to meet up). She is used to Delta Comfort + (but loves Virgin Atlantic Premium). Would you recommend an Aer Lingus Flight in economy if I opted for extra legroom for her (Sea-Dublin-Rome)? Or would this be an uncomfortable flight? In your experience, is Dublin airport for connecting flights easy to navigate? Our other options are fly to London on Virgin Atlantic and book regional flights, Condor + Luft, TAP. Delta flights are insanely expensive Sept 2024 from US west coast to Rome! Thanks!
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Jana – good question. Although I prefer the Virgin Atlantic onboard experience over Aer Lingus, transiting the Dublin Airport will be a lot simpler and less chaotic than London. That alone is what will make it worth choosing Aer Lingus IMHO.
Premium economy in Aer Lingus will be about as spacious (leg room wise) as Virgin Atlantic. It won’t be nearly as swanky though. 🙂
Have she has a great trip!