Aer Lingus Gold Circle Club - Aer Lingus Longhaul Business Class Questions [e.g. MAN - MCO]

We are flying Aer Lingus Business Class on the above route (via Dublin of course) for the first time on 1 December. Has anyone done this and can they offer any useful info or tips. We have previously done Delta Business Elite (via Atlanta) and Virgin Upper Class (direct)

All that I have read about Aer Lingus appears positive and I am really looking forward to the flight.

Many thanks in advance for any responses.

Gill

Have done it from DUB - ORD. Can't say anything bad, very pleased with the service.

MAN - DUB has no separate business cabin. Purely economy only on short-haul. However, it's such a short flight it's pretty much irrelevant. The long haul product is nice, however, and service is generally quite good.

you will have access to the new gold circle lounge at Dub.Ask for directions to it when you get there.It's quite near U.S immigration at Dublin.
You will be using U.S immigration and customs at Dublin,most U.S bound flights do.
Unfortunately there can be lengthy queues but the upside is you then arrive at Orlando as a domestic pax;no queue there ,just straight to the baggae belt and out to to your taxi.

USPC should not be that bad as there is less flights in winter and the MCO is one of the last few US flights and there should be no problems. The one before it goes ta 11.20 DL to JFK so any time after 10.45 you should have not problems clearing.

Did LHR - DUB - JFK return in September, & was really impressed.
When you get to Dublin, head straight for the lounge, do not be tempted to try & do USPC first, once you have done it you can not go back to the lounge.
You will be told when to head to USPC when you check in to the lounge.
When boarding, it's not always obvious that there is a separate line for business class, but there will be, so do not be shy about using it.
Mrs ABZ1C & myself, reserved seats 2A & C on the way out & 1A & C on the way back, row 1 was great coming back because you do get a little more leg room if you plan to sleep.
As for the service, we found it excellent, the food was as good as it can be on a plane & there was plenty of it, the crew on both legs were lovely & really chatty & friendly when they realised we were on holiday.
On your way back you are allowed to use the lounge at Dublin before your flight back to the UK, just show your Orlando - DUB boarding cards & let the lounge guardians know that your on the Manchester flight.
I used the shower facilities on the first floor to freshen up, you will probably need to ask them to unlock one of the rooms for you.
The room I had was spotless with an array of clean fluffy towels & other bits & pieces.
We were so impressed with the business class product that we have decided to book for Orlando next year.
Enjoy your flight.

.
When boarding, it's not always obvious that there is a separate line for business class, but there will be, so do not be shy about using it.


Since when is there a fast track at USPC? I have always been told that there are two lines only: non US citizens and US citizens :confused:

Thr poster is speaking of priority Boarding, not USPC I think

Since when is there a fast track at USPC? I have always been told that there are two lines only: non US citizens and US citizens :confused:

I was not talking about USPC, I was talking about boarding.

Got ya ^

On your way back you are allowed to use the lounge at Dublin before your flight back to the UK, just show your Orlando - DUB boarding cards & let the lounge guardians know that your on the Manchester flight.

Do you get lounge access at MAN by virtue of the onward flight in J or not?

Thanks

Hi - yes you have access to the Wilmslow Lounge. You just need to show your boarding card for the DUB - MCO portion of your flights. It is nice in there but not as nice as the Dublin Lounge. It was our first Aer Lingus Business Class flight last November and we didn't know what to expect but we were very pleased with everything. We are doing the same route next week - really looking forward to it - and have two further flights booked.

Thanks - am actually doing BHX-DUB-JFK but the concept should be the same. Especially looking forward to the pre-clearance.

Swiss Tony, are u flying on the 10.45am flight EI105 or the later EI109? Just as a FYI, EI109 does not pre-clear as USCBP closes at about 3pm.

Swiss Tony, are u flying on the 10.45am flight EI105 or the later EI109? Just as a FYI, EI109 does not pre-clear as USCBP closes at about 3pm.

For that very reason (and the fact I don't want to get to NY that late) I picked the early departure. Thanks for the reminder though!

Flying ORD-DUB-ORD Business award (on EI using BA miles) this Oct. A couple questions:
1) What exactly does USPC stand for? I assume it's immigration. :)
2) I'm guessing we can access the Gold Circle lounge on arrival & departure. Yes?
3) How are the almost-lay-flat seats on the A330?

We're really looking forward to our first trip to Eire, I mean Ireland! :)

Flying ORD-DUB-ORD Business award (on EI using BA miles) this Oct. A couple questions:
1) What exactly does USPC stand for? I assume it's immigration. :)
2) I'm guessing we can access the Gold Circle lounge on arrival & departure. Yes?
3) How are the almost-lay-flat seats on the A330?

We're really looking forward to our first trip to Eire!

1) United States Pre-Clearance (Immigration and Customs Clearance =arrival in the US at a domestic gate)
2) Access is only possible on departure, EI has no arrivals lounge
3) Comfortable

Welcome to Dublin! :)

PS: The country is called Ireland ;)

Thread lightly retitled for broader application. Sláinte! ;)

JDiver, Senior Moderator

1) United States Pre-Clearance (Immigration and Customs Clearance =arrival in the US at a domestic gate)
2) Access is only possible on departure, EI has no arrivals lounge
3) Comfortable

Welcome to Dublin! :)

PS: The country is called Ireland ;)

Thank you. Maybe we can hoist a pint of the black with you on our visit to Ireland. :)

Flying ORD-DUB-ORD Business award (on EI using BA miles) this Oct. A couple questions:
1) What exactly does USPC stand for? I assume it's immigration. :)
2) I'm guessing we can access the Gold Circle lounge on arrival & departure. Yes?
3) How are the almost-lay-flat seats on the A330?

We're really looking forward to our first trip to Eire!

The food in J is usually good, at least compared to the TATL competition (UA/US/DL). Enjoy the trip

How does EI biz class seat compare to US envoy seat? I hate that envoy as I find it a tease to almost be flat, but not...hard to sleep going east...

Envoy on which aircraft? EI > US 757 or 767. US > EI on their A330 (which is a proper flat bed)

Envoy on the B757. Guess it's the old 767 seat, right?

Worse again- 160 degree recliner/cradle type: http://www.flyinbusinessfirst.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/USBiz_Class7.jpg

Worse again- 160 degree recliner/cradle type: http://www.flyinbusinessfirst.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/USBiz_Class7.jpg

OK, thanks for the help. I really, really disliked the US Envoy seat going to DUB. Fine for relaxing, but found it a teaser when trying to sleep. Close, but no cigar. I would rather slug it out in the back and save a few bucks for a 6 hour flight!