Aer Lingus Birmingham->Dublin->Orlando questions

I have a flight coming up which is from ticketed as Birmingham to Orlando with Aer Lingus in Business Class. The flight is one stop via Dublin with a 4 hour layover.

As the aircraft operating from BHX to DUB is economy only, I believe I still get full Business Class baggage allowance; is this correct? What happens to that when I get to Dublin? Do I collect and re-check and how does this fit in with the US Prescreening for customs that they do in Dublin?

Also, I have some pretty large luggage (90 x 60 x 30)- It fits in the Virgin allowable size but I'm concerned that it is actually over that stated on the Aer Lingus site (max combined external dimensions being 158cm) - Do you know how strict they are on this? And what is likely to happen if I turn up with my existing luggage? There is no mention on the Aer Lingus site for oversized bags, only over weight.

If I try to prebook any luggage online, it tells me that fees do not apply to my booking, but baggage is subject to their standard carriage terms.

Thanks in advance for any advice or pointers

I would say you need to query it with Aer Lingus straight away.
You already know your bags are over sized and the worst that can happen is they refuse to load them.
Dick D

I have done just that - I got quite an interesting answer. But rather than influence any other response from those who may have done similar, I'll wait to post what they have just told me - I am also still keen to hear from others what the experience is re customs clearance in Dublin.

[honey lamb]

When I did pre-clearance in Dublin, albeit with that as my starting point, I was asked to identify my bag which was shown on a screen. Based on this experience, I would suggest that your bags will be tagged through from BHX and that you will be asked to do likewise

OK, so here is what their call centre told me this morning. The bags would be checked all the way through to Orlando when I check in at Birmingham, so it's good to hear some experience of how the customs bit works.

They also told me that on Transatlantic Flights, they don't measure the dimensions, and instead got by weight ONLY!. Now I am sure if I turned up with some ridiculous sized bag that wouldn't be the case, but my cases are are marginally bigger than their stated sizes anyway.

So on that basis, I think I'm going to go with it. I may stuff a couple of soft sided duffel bags in the case as a backup plan.

[honey lamb]

I wasn't in a position to give a fuller response earlier but just wanted to highlight the bit about your bags going through pre-clearance.

OK, to elaborate further from my own experience, anyone travelling on from an Aer Lingus flight in a premium cabin does not have to pay the baggage fees for the EI flight. I have done it several times from Cork to LHR with onward flights on BA, SQ and VS in J or F without charge.

The flights from BHX on Aer Lingus are a mix of mainline Aer Lingus and Aer Lingus Regional operated by Stobart Air. If your flight has a 3 digit number, then it is a mainline flight on an A320; if however it has a 4 digit number then it is Aer Lingus Regional on an ATR72 (at all costs avoid seat 7 or those near it as the "chugga-chugga-chugga" sound of the engines is all to obvious. Try for a seat near the rear of the aircraft - it's quieter and boarding is from the back) There are restrictions on the size of luggage for these flights but they are waived for onward flights.

With regard to Dublin Airport, all EI flights use T2 which is only a couple of years old and is lovely. Transfer is easy and well signed. You will be entitled to use the Gold Circle lounge which is no Clubhouse but is pleasant enough. Only transatlantic flights are announced there and they will advise you of any delays.

Pre-clearance is two floors down but is well sign-posted from the lounge. In this TR I have outlined the procedures for pre-clearance. If you have not been given a copy of the customs form in BHX, there are plenty of copies available down there and be sure to fill it in before you approach an agent. You will then be sent to security and after that, either to an agent or a machine. I was sent from the machine to an agent because my finger-prints were wrongly positioned on my last entry to the USA (on a new passport and ESTA) and there I was asked to identify my bag from a screen. I don't know at what stage you are asked to identify the bag if all goes well - maybe at the machine itself but it is possible that, as a connecting passenger, you may be sent to an agent. I had the SSSS at security because I was on a standby ticket and thus, technically on a one way ticket and that too may happen to you!

Once through pre-clearance you are in the least pleasant part of T2. There are holding gates similar to the departure gates at both LHR and LGW. There is a small duty-free area (buy in the departure lounge for a bigger selection), a WH Smith or equivalent (I didn't get that far) and a bar (well you are in Ireland!!)

Finally, remember that, because you have pre-cleared, you are now technically on a domestic flight and therefore there is no duty-free on board. Once you arrive in MCO, it will be great - no lines for immigration etc. You'll be off the plane and outside the door before you realise it!! Oh,and if the guy in the charge of the cabin is a small, stocky fellow in his mid-fifties with grey hair and looks like a kindly and wise dad and grandad, you're in luck as he was superb! I loved my experience in Business on EI and would happily do it again!

Thanks Honey Lamb - Very informative.

I am on a one way ticket as I am joining a Transatlantic Cruise back to Europe. Since they've had those new passport machines in Orlando I've used them and been stopped (with the big X on the receipt) EVERY TIME! (About 8 times!) - I ask the Border Control agent why I get stuck and get a variety of response, but I believe I share a name with a 'person of interest', so I guess I will be subject to further checking this time.

Once at the gate, do Aer Lingus operate a pre-boarding option or priority queue for those in Business class?

Luckily I do have a 3 digit flight number from BHX, it is an A320 (or 321) and I have a seat assigned already (I think I have an exit seat about half way down)

As I have a 4 hour layover, can I leave the airport in Dublin? Is it worth doing so? Even for some fresh air?

I'll keep an eye out for the cabin crew

If you are getting stopped for extra questioning on a regular basis by the CBP it could be worth your while applying for a 'redress number'.

Yes you can leave the airport but although you have 4 hours between flights a chunk of that will be needed to complete the pre-clearance etc. I think it takes 30 minutes by bus. So although doable it may not be that practical

[honey lamb]

Thanks Honey Lamb - Very informative.

I am on a one way ticket as I am joining a Transatlantic Cruise back to Europe. Since they've had those new passport machines in Orlando I've used them and been stopped (with the big X on the receipt) EVERY TIME! (About 8 times!) - I ask the Border Control agent why I get stuck and get a variety of response, but I believe I share a name with a 'person of interest', so I guess I will be subject to further checking this time.

Once at the gate, do Aer Lingus operate a pre-boarding option or priority queue for those in Business class?

Luckily I do have a 3 digit flight number from BHX, it is an A320 (or 321) and I have a seat assigned already (I think I have an exit seat about half way down)

As I have a 4 hour layover, can I leave the airport in Dublin? Is it worth doing so? Even for some fresh air?

I'll keep an eye out for the cabin crew

To answer your questions/comments:

The fact that you are on a one way ticket means that you will in all probability get the dreaded SSSS on your ticket which means that you will get extra screening at security. To be honest, it was quite pleasant at DUB done by a delightful Polish lady (a sign of the times).

Most people seemed to get the X on the receipt at DUB which had me opining that it would have been quicker to go straight to an agent, since those who went that route seemed to be processed faster!

It's a pre-boarding option called after the people needing extra time to board and those with children call. Business and Gold Circle members are next and have a separate line (but the same jet bridge)

A 4 hour layover - hmm! It certainly wouldn't be worth your while going into the city. The only link is by road and by the time you got there, it would be time to go back. The general campus of DUB is reasonably pleasant once you get out of the main terminal areas but there are no walkways and the traffic flow can be confusing. I have often stayed in one of the hotels in DUB but there is no way I would walk to the terminal. Also, if you left the airport, you would also have to go through security again but Business Class has its own entrance to the left. Wait and see what the weather is like. It's Ireland; it rains a lot!! ) Pre-clearance is called about 1.5 hours before boarding but I found it very swift and pleasant but I understand it can get very busy at times.

I went on board my EI flight with no great expectations and I was extremely pleasantly surprised. I hope you are too.