I think Aerlingus are one of if not the best airlines in the world.

kjl

I work as a traveling consultant so I take at least 50-100 flights a year. I have been on all the major airlines and I honestly think they are the best.

Firstly, the price is very comparable to most other airlines. You can sometimes get flights cheaper than Ryanair and certainly cheaper than BA or Lufthansa

Secondly, They look after their customers. I am 6f5 and when I don't book an emergence exit seat, the first question that I get asked when I board the plane is if if I would like one. Even though they charge for the extra seats, they will always give you one for free at the check in desk if you ask.

Thirdly, they have a really good reward scheme. Most airlines, you will have to be on a flight minimum twice a week for a year before you get to be a gold member, or take a lot of first class flights to clock up enough air miles. With Aerlingus you simple need 24 flights to the UK or 16 flights to Europe or 6 flights to the US to quality for the gold circle club. If you fly first class return to the US, they will give it to you after one trip. Being a gold circle member gives you access to all the lounges, a special security check with a much shorter line and a special check in desk in any airport that Aerlingus fly too, you can also board the plane whenever you want to. You can also use your air miles to buy flights to anywhere they fly and at a set rate.

If you buy a plus ticket they will give you 1 free bag and seat selection.

Also the seats are very comfortable, honestly one of the most comfortable around. The staff are pleasant and very willing to help you with anything need.

I like them so much to the point that I was working in Leeds for a while, Aerlingus don't fly to Leeds, but Ryanair do, despite this I used to fly to Manchester and then take a train to Leeds instead of Flying directly to Leeds.

What does anyone else think?

HondaSami

I agree Aer Lingus are the best, not as easy get cheap flights with them now but still would prefer them to Ryanair.

ChunkyLover_53

In-flight entertainment on long haul sucks b*lls

otherwise they're grand

IM0

and this will all end if that spanner o leary gets to take it over

7ofBrian

Thinly veiled /iworkforAerLingus thread

fasttalkerchat

This must be an old thread...


From when you were aged 5 and had never been on a plane.

admiralofthefleet

one of the safest as well

kjl

IM0 wrote: »

and this will all end if that spanner o leary gets to take it over

I really pray that doesn't happen.

kjl

7ofBrian wrote: »

Thinly veiled /iworkforAerLingus thread

I swear I don't, just a very happy customer.

Dwork

I always try and book a flight on Aerlingus first, only if I can't find a flight do I look at another airline. I try reeeaaalllllyyyy hard not to book ryanair, as in the ferry comes above them on the list of ways to get there..and I hate ferries.

Ryanair have to be up there with Travvelodge with their "we're so big we don't need you, take it or leave it, pleb boy" atitude. And I have a room paid for 365 days a year with Travvelodge for work(only hotel in the area). They still treat you like crap.

keith16

admiralofthefleet wrote: »

one of the safest as well

Agreed, their maintenance unit has a world-class reputation.

Another think is that the crew are generally great banter! I remember taking my mam on holiday once.

I go to the jacks, of course my mam pipes up to the nearest air-hostess that "my son is taking me on hols", come back out to see all the of them around my mams seat saying how great I was before turning to me with a load of "aawwhs" and "ah shure aren't ya mighty alltogether".

They come back a few mins later with a beer and a paper - on the house! Terrific!!

El Horseboxo

Have travelled on similar number of flights a year in my previous job. While I like Aer Lingus I preferred Singapore airlines, Qatar airways, Cathay pacific and Eitihad. The Asian airlines got that whole flying thing on lock.

I can't say I've flown with as many airlines as the OP, but I fly often enough and I love flying Aer Lingus. €10 extra for the front row, yes please.

kjl

Dwork wrote: »

I always try and book a flight on Aerlingus first, only if I can't find a flight do I look at another airline. I try reeeaaalllllyyyy hard not to book ryanair, as in the ferry comes above them on the list of ways to get there..and I hate ferries.

Ryanair have to be up there with Travvelodge with their "we're so big we don't need you, take it or leave it, pleb boy" atitude. And I have a room paid for 365 days a year with Travvelodge for work(only hotel in the area). They still treat you like crap.

In terms of corporate hotels, Hilton and Marriot are where it's at.

LizT

Would definitely prefer Aer Lingus, I flew with the last month and the person I was with needed extra assistance and they were nothing short of charming to deal with.

hyperborean

Please find me a flight on AL( to anywere) which is cheaper than a similiar ryanair offering...

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murraymar

Had the misfortune to have to use them to come back from states for dads funeral 20 years ago. Even though I handed them my paid for ticket they went off in a rant how I had to get death cert faxed to them. I only mentioned my dad had died as the flight was delayed and I wanted to know had they an estimated time of take off. I was not asking for an upgrade etc as I had already given them my ticket. Swore blind I would never fly with them again.

My name is URL

They're widely regarded as one of the best in the world by insiders. I remember reading something about how their approach to on-flight & hospitality service has been something that airlines around the world have aspired to since the 50's, and still do.

Dwork

kjl wrote: »

In terms of corporate hotels, Hilton and Marriot are where it's at.

In terms of the kip we do work in all year round(UK), the Travvellodge is the only hotel for absolute miles...it sucks as5, tbh.

kjl

hyperborean wrote: »

Please find me a flight on AL( to anywere) which is cheaper than a similiar ryanair offering...

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Factor in the anal raping you get on Ryanair and Aerlingus comes out on top every time.

The Aussie

kjl wrote: »

I was working in Leeds for a while, Aerlingus don't fly to Leeds, but Ryanair do, despite this I used to fly to Manchester and then take a train to Leeds instead of Flying directly to Leeds

Yes I hate Ryanair with a passion as well, I would much rather eat my own SH!T than fly with them again.

A negative for Aerlingus is that they frown on public masterbation. :mad:

Where To

There's only one better airline in the world in my opinion, and I better get ready to run before I write this:











BRITISH AIRWAYS

The_Gatsby

I was coming back from Boston last summer and flew with Aer Lingus. As I stepped onto the plane I asked "Any chance of of an upgrade to first class?", to which the hostess replied "Any chance you think this plane is a pig?".

Aer Lingus 1 - Me 0

murraymar

Where To wrote: »

There's only one better airline in the world in my opinion, and I better get ready to run before I write this:



I agree fab airline. I also like flying quantas.

fasttalkerchat

Where To wrote: »

There's only one better airline in the world in my opinion, and I better get ready to run before I write this:

BRITISH AIRWAYS

I heard they'd gone to ****e lately?

Grayson

kjl wrote: »

Factor in the anal raping you get on Ryanair and Aerlingus comes out on top every time.

Honestly, I tend to fly 50/50 with Aer Lingus and Ryanair. Ryanair might be irritating, but most of the time they get me there for half the price. If prices are comparable, I go with Aer lingus.

But some of us can't afford Aer Lingus all the time. And if it wasn't for Ryanair, Aer Lingus (and others) would be raping us on price.

Dwork

kjl wrote: »

Factor in the anal raping you get on Ryanair and Aerlingus comes out on top every time.

Or once, just once, toddle up to the Ryanair "Customer riding help desk" and ask "Can I change to an earlier/later flight, and how much will that cost please?". Just do it for the giggle. They expect you to buy a fcuking wing for the aeroplane for the privelege of changing the flight time.

Mint Sauce

I use AL a few times a year, prefer them many times over compared to ryanair, even if they may be more expensive.

But as for seat allocation OP, its always free to pick your seat at the airport with them, regardless of your size. Even though I am only 5'7, I prefer the exit seats as well, and always ask for them when they ask if any seat preference.

Might not be best airline in the world, but for european short haul, they are one of the best.

admiralofthefleet

im scared stiff of flying and the wife is pressuring me to go to new york before xmas, ive promised her ill go but only if we fly aer lingus. them and quantas would be the only airlines i trust 100%

GLaDOS

hyperborean wrote: »

Please find me a flight on AL( to anywere) which is cheaper than a similiar ryanair offering...

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Flew to Glasgow last weekend with Aer Lingus, was cheaper than Ryanair when we booked.

james142

I agree. Will always try fly with them.

kjl

Grayson wrote: »

Honestly, I tend to fly 50/50 with Aer Lingus and Ryanair. Ryanair might be irritating, but most of the time they get me there for half the price. If prices are comparable, I go with Aer lingus.

But some of us can't afford Aer Lingus all the time. And if it wasn't for Ryanair, Aer Lingus (and others) would be raping us on price.

Personally I can't stand all the advertising Ryanair do on the plane, they spend more trying to sell me crap then actually looking after the clients. Honestly who has ever bought a pack of smokeless cigarettes that the feel the need to push it down my neck every time I get on board. The also use a contractor air hostess service, so you get a bunch of attitude because they treat them like ****, so in turn they treat you like ****.

Outkast_IRE

ScienceNerd wrote: »

Flew to Glasgow last weekend with Aer Lingus, was cheaper than Ryanair when we booked.

Im the same booked my flights to spain last month for june, and ryanair were looking for almost double what aer lingus charge for the exact same route !!!

Dwork

kjl wrote: »

Personally I can't stand all the advertising Ryanair do on the plane, they spend more trying to sell me crap then actually looking after the clients. Honestly who has ever bought a pack of smokeless cigarettes that the feel the need to push it down my neck every time I get on board. The also use a contractor air hostess service, so you get a bunch of attitude because they treat them like ****, so in turn they treat you like ****.

I agree. Also, they are scabby, hungry hoors as a corporation. I hate that scabby attitude, so I'd rather tie my flute to the door of a Lorry and have it drag me to my destination than book with them. Does my bag fit? No idea, how bigs your mouth?

Fratton Fred

I would always fly BMI to Heathrow if I could. for some reason boarding always seemed easier with them. Their reward scheme was far superior to the Aer lingus one. Not sure what the BA take over has meant though, but the prices have certainly gone up.

Aer Lingus cabin crew are generally good, but I find they fall in to two categories, the older crew who are friendly, chatty and will do anything for you, or the blonde wannabe wag who thinks passengers are an interference with their glamorous oh so gorgeous life style.

absolutely first class breakfast though, no doubts about that.:cool:

hardCopy

Wouldn't fly Aer Lingus if there was a Ryanair alternative, especially not for a business flight. Like the OP, I've been a traveling consultant, flew over 50 times in 2011.

About 10 of those flights were with Aer Lingus, I'm pretty sure all were late. These were Monday morning flights to the UK, prime target market for AL.

The rest were all Ryanair flights and I think 5 were late, one of them was because Obama took our slot in Dublin airport.

Somebody else booked my flights and I initially cursed them for picking Ryanair every time, the only time we ended up on AL was if we sent our paperwork in late, the Ryanair flight always booked up first. By the end of it we were making sure to get everything booked in time so we could stick with Ryanair.

Cookie_Monster

I avoid them where I can and don't like them at all.
Long distance they are one of the worst I've flown with apart from Air France & AA, short haul they are generally more expensive than Ryanair so pointless.

Then add in all the political baggage and protectionism they love to engage in on top and it's a recipe to avoid at all costs for me.

Cool_CM

Swiss are a great airline.

My name is URL

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

short haul they are generally more expensive than Ryanair so pointless.

A $10 hooker is less expensive than a $100 hooker but it doesn't mean it's better value =p

Cookie_Monster

My name is URL wrote: »

A $10 hooker is less expensive than a $100 hooker but it doesn't mean it's better value =p

value?
on short hop flights they only thing that matters is cost and time, even without being quite as direct as AL to some locations the equation nearly always comes out in their favour anyway.

The Aer Lingus staff seem to be on strike incredibly often so I'll be sticking with Ryanair as I'd rather avoid their delays and/or cancellations.

rainbowdrop

I flew to Edinburgh with Aer Lingus a few weeks ago. My suitcase was slightly too big for hand luggage when I was made to measure it in one of them wire rack things they have at the check in desks (my own fault). When the girl at the desk said to me 'It's too big, you'll have to check it in', I got a sinking feeling in my stomach thinking about how much it would cost me.

It turned to delight when she told me it would be free to check in my case 'the flights only half full, so we won't bother charging you'. Fair play Aer Lingus, if that was Ryanair I would have been financially raped......

I don't think there is much difference between the two airlines price wise either......

Chop Chop

AdamD wrote: »

The Aer Lingus staff seem to be on strike incredibly often so I'll be sticking with Ryanair as I'd rather avoid their delays and/or cancellations.

I hope there's enough fuel to get you there....

crosstownk

On the Dublin to Paris route I prefer Air France. I'd have a preference for Aer Lingus on other routes but if Swineair are significantly cheaper I'll fly with them but I'll factor in the travel distance and cost to the destination from the remote location that Ryanair land.

Dwork

Chop Chop wrote: »

I hope there's enough fuel to get you there....

Meaning? Edit, the Ryanair policy of "close cutting it on fuel?" I more dislike the bit in Ryanairs flight manual that seems to instruct their pilots to slam the fcuker down onto the runway just hard enough to test the tarmac, but not hard enough to make the wheels fall off. It's disconcerting. It's like their final "fcuk you" to the passengers - you're here, well, somwhere vaguely near "here", and you're alive. Be grateful and fcuk away off, thanks.

I'd much rather fly with Aer Lingus even if it cost a few quid more. Besides, Ryanair's European airports are in the arseh0le of nowhere. Factor travelling into the city and it's probably worked out more expensive. I can't stand all that sell, sell, sell on ryanair flights either.

Oh yeah, have you ever compared the flight durations of Ryanair and another airline, both flying from A to B. Have a look next time. Their flight durations will be different.

suicide_circus

I work in the industry, Aer Lingus treat their staff very well....which is partly while their pension pot is in the shiite...but even new recruits training as crew now get great pay.

Chop Chop

Dwork wrote: »

Meaning? Edit, the Ryanair policy of "close cutting it on fuel?"

Correct, new legislation needs to be drafted in by the EU before that arrogant <insert insult> loses lives.....time bomb waiting to go off.

seven_eleven

crosstownk wrote: »

On the Dublin to Paris route I prefer Air France. I'd have a preference for Aer Lingus on other routes but if Swineair are significantly cheaper I'll fly with them but I'll factor in the travel distance and cost to the destination from the remote location that Ryanair land.

Oh god, that little AVRO RJ with its bus eireann like leg-room and ear piercing cabin volume. I guess the free drinks, sammiches, and food with the option of premium economy is nice though.

clairefontaine

I love aer lingus but I dont like the way they advertise sale prices and then don't offer those prices on the website.

Chop Chop

seven_eleven wrote: »

Oh god, that little AVRO RJ with its bus eireann like leg-room and ear piercing cabin volume. I guess the free drinks, sammiches, and food with the option of premium economy is nice though.

Have to say I don't mind the AVRO flying to Paris, 1 hour max and you're on your way to Disneyland.