Aer Lingus - Experiences?

I'm flying to Shannon in Ireland on Friday for a long weekend.

My partner actually suggested that we fly Ryan Air [:0]

Anyhow, once I'd picked myself up from rolling round the floor laughing I booked our flights with Aer Lingus (as they are the ony other airline that flies to Shannon).

It'll be the first time I've flown with them and I wondered if anyone had any past experiences with them.

I know the flight from LHR is only an hour-or-so long, but still, I'd like to know what to expect

[honey lamb]

I fly Aer Lingus all the time from ORK. I have flown Ryanair and although I have never had a bad flight with them I am never completely comfortable as there is simply no back up if anything does go wrong.

To SNN you will probably be flying an A320. LHR can be rather a zoo for the Irish flights being at the end of a long corrugated "tunnel" which is supposed to resemble the cylindrical shape of an aircraft. How comfortable/uncomfortable will depend on the number of flights departing. Occasionally you may find that there are flights departing within a short space of time to DUB, ORK and SNN and so it tends to get busy but more often than not it is OK.

On the flight Aer Lingus have re-invented themselves in the style of a low-cost carrier. Food and drinks are available to buy on board and are fairly reasonably priced compared to Ryanair. There isn't the same aggressive marketing that you have on Ryanair. There will be a beverage sales service followed by a duty-free service. The journey will be like any other short-haul journey.

Given a choice I will always fly Aer Lingus before Ryanair (except when they offer 1c fares ) but I really miss the Jetmagic flights out of ORK [:(]

Can't say that I'm a fan of EI anymore after one too many crap experiences with them. Oddly enough the (admittedly few) times I've flown with FR I've never had a problem.

As there is only a choice of two airlines to Shannon, EI might be your best choice - however, as time goes on there is an ever decreasing gap between the two airlines.

I agree that the "tunnel" in LHR can be a zoo if a lot of flights are going out together. (It would be quicker and easier to get to if BAA attached a pipe to T3 rather than T1:D)

As my HO is in SNN itself I have to fly EI fairly regulary. Have travelled both in C and Y and to be honest there is not much difference except in price and a breakie in the morn. Also you have to pay for bar service in Y. Once I was in c class but when I arrived on board it was full and put into Y. No apolgies or nothing.On asking about biz service was told they would not servre in econ cabin. Nothing wrong with FR. There is a new company starting from SNN called EUJet. Using SNN as a hub as well as Manston in Kent. It would be good if only there was a direct flight. maybe still to come.

I didn't realise that EU Jet will fly to Shannon.
Kent International Airport is my county's primary airport

Depending on how my flights go this weekend, I may consider them in the future, though I do like flying from LHR... Decisions decisions!

TJ,

Fights to SNN via DUB start after 15/9. Manston would be my local airport as well:DEU do plan to start flights fron SNN-DUB which as you know is non existent at the mo. Interesting routes for cheap hols though. check out http://www.eujet.com

When you fly Air Lingus, make sure you bring your own food and drink. Because you now have to pay for food on the plane.

Right, I have now returned from Ireland and have my report on EI ready

I have to say that (apart from being delayed for 20mins in both directions) I was really happy with the service on the plane.

The cabin crew were very nice and friendly. If we ever used the crew call button, we never had to wait longer than 5 seconds before a smiley cabin crew member appeared.

The food on the plane is basic though (despite having to pay for it) isn't bad and is actually not very expensive.

Anyhow! Thought I'd report back

Oh yeah, I know exactly what people meant about the wierd, tunnel-like departure area at LHR. Very zoo-like while we were there due to 2 EI flights and 1 BMI flight all going to Dublin leaving at same time as our Shannon flight.