Aer Lingus -v- British Airways

thediceman2011

Hi Myself and the other half are going to new York next feb for 6 days 14/2 to 20/2 just checking skyscanner flights come in just under 500 each return for aer lingus and british airways, I have never flown long haul before would you recommend one over the other or is it much of a much in which case I will choose aer lingus, thanks,

DublinBeaker

With the whole One World/Alliance thing, and I could be wrong, but if you book BA you could end up on an Aer Lingus plane and vice-versa

schemingbohemia

Is the BA flight bringing you via Heathrow? If it's not then it will be an Aer Lingus flight. I'd make sure whichever flight i was booking with that I would be pre-clearing in Dublin so would chose that over up to a €100 saving by flying via the UK.

thediceman2011

no its a direct flight from Dublin to jfk , It says the british airways flight is operated by American airlines I actually don't know what that means as I have never flown long haul before, I may just stick with aer lingus as the price difference is minimal think about 20 euro more expensive with aer lingus,

ComeraghBlue

better for you to pay the extra to go with Aer Lingus.

Yamanoto

The benefits of clearing US CBP this side of the pond are huge - you avoid the possibility of hellish queues on arrival at Kennedy & your out of the airport with your bags in no time at all.

Go with Aer Lingus OP, as American Airlines are nowhere near BA's standard tbh.

Valetta

If going with Aer Lingus, I would make sure I have insurance that covers strike action.

thediceman2011

I thought all direct flights from Dublin to the usa would clear immigration in Dublin? or is it just the aer lingus flights?

schemingbohemia

I think it's virtually all clear here now, there were a couple of Boston or Chicago afternoon flights that didn't.

Having flown a few different carriers I'd probably prefer Aer Lingus but potential strike action could be an issue, though if you can be flexible (able to go out a day earlier) then I'd book with them.

Yamanoto

thediceman2011 wrote: »

I thought all direct flights from Dublin to the usa would clear immigration in Dublin? or is it just the aer lingus flights?

My bad, originally thought you were going via Heathrow.

I think all flights now clear CBP as schemingbohemia says. I had one a few months ago that didn't, as they were awaiting a large number of transfers from EU airports affected by weather. Once the departure is delayed beyond US CBP's mandated hours, they won't process those flights. Post-strike extra capacity flights from EI were also denied the joys of pre-clearance last month apparently.

thediceman2011

Thanks everyone I just booked with aer lingus it worked out at about 475 euro per head which I thought was fair enough though I wouldn't know if that was a good price or not for mid feb as I have never flown to new York before but compared to the fares they charge in summer it seems like a great price,lol thanks

keithclancy

thediceman2011 wrote: »

Thanks everyone I just booked with aer lingus it worked out at about 475 euro per head which I thought was fair enough though I wouldn't know if that was a good price or not for mid feb as I have never flown to new York before but compared to the fares they charge in summer it seems like a great price,lol thanks

Aer Lingus and American Airlines ... no comparison .. Aer Lingus are far better.

Stinicker

DublinBeaker wrote: »

With the whole One World/Alliance thing, and I could be wrong, but if you book BA you could end up on an Aer Lingus plane and vice-versa

Aer Lingus are not part of an airline alliance now but have condeshares with Etihad, Jetblue and United Airlines. Aer Lingus left the OneWorld Airline alliance in 2007.

caseygkcg

It might be worth mentioning that although Aer Lingus are not in the one world alliance you can still get Avios points when you travel with them as they are a BA partner.