DUB-FAO (Economy )

Booking and check in


www.aerlingus.com is an easy site to navigate and once my wife and I decided on dates for a short break in Faro, booking our flights was simplicity itself.

All Aer Lingus short haul flights are economy class. Three fare types are available: Fully flexible, Lowest and Plus. The Plus fare includes one free checked bag, complimentary seat selection and earns Gold Circle points. As we were taking a checked in bag each, I chose this option.

Having made my booking, I used the advance seat selection facility and chose Row 8. I later wished to change these seats, and as this cannot be done online, I telephoned Aer Lingus customer service. After a short wait, I found myself speaking to a very helpful lady who quickly changed my seats on both outbound and return flights.

I also took advantage of the pre-order meal service and paid for two cooked breakfasts: a snip at 7.50euro each, and most importantly guarantees a meal. Heretofore, a set number of meals were loaded, and there was always a chance of the breakfast being sold out: not something I wanted to risk on an early morning flight! The service extends to other meals on later flights. A voucher is generated for printing, and this is given to cabin crew during the flight.

We arrived at Dublin Airport Terminal 2 just before 5.00am for our06.30am flight. There is a new surface car park which is very close to the T2 building. In fact this car park is almost beside the Aer Lingus check in area: this makes it the most convenient car park for Aer Lingus passengers with bags to check in. Good value too at 68euro for 9 days when booked in advance.


There was no queue at the Gold Circle desk and our bags were taken, and boarding passes issued within a couple of minutes. The lady on the desk was very friendly and wished us a pleasant flight.

One of the benefits of Gold Circle membership is the use of the Fast track security lane. There was a relatively short queue, but at this lane shares an x-ray arch with a non fast track security lane, the process isn’t as rapid as in other airports, where Fast Track has it’s dedicated screening facility. Perhaps Dublin Airport management could consider this.

Previously, Dublin Airport came in for criticism for charging for plastic bags for putting toiletries into. These are now available before security screening and are complimentary. I mention this to demonstrate that Dublin Airport management obviously take note of their customers views, and act accordingly..

There is a good range of shops, restaurants once airside, and we had a browse before going to the lounge.


Lounge (Dublin)

The Gold Circle Lounge in Dublin T2 is a large two storey area with good views of the apron. Lounge staff are very welcoming, and this warm attitude extends to the ladies who restock supplies and clear tables.

There is a water feature which extends over two floors, and is impressive.

Upstairs is a quiet area and has shower suites, which is a vast improvement on the previous lounge in T1.

The food on offer in the morning consists of:

• Fresh fruit
• Fruit salad
• Breads, scones, pastries
• Cereals
• Yogurts
• Cheese, crackers
• Savoury nibbles
• Biscuits

A full range of soft and alcoholic drinks is available along with decent orange juice and excellent coffee.

There is a good continental breakfast on offer, which alone makes a visit worthwhile.

Small bottles of still & sparkling water have been replaced with jugs of still water and large bottles of sparkling water. I imagine this represents a significant cost saving over the cost of small bottles. However, sparking water when opened quickly loses it’s fizz, particularly in a plastic bottle. Very possibly the numbers of small bottles of water travelling in passengers’ bags played a part in this decision. However, amongst the small cans of mixers, there is Soda water which is quite acceptable as an alternative


Newspapers and magazines are available as well as internet access for those wishing to work.

Boarding


Boarding was from gate 408, which is a short walk from the lounge. The aircraft is boarded through an airbridge, and the initial boarding call was for rearmost rows, and rows 1 -7, as well as Gold Circle members. Calling the front rows early is a new initiative. These seats are normally occupied by premium passengers whose overhead storage space was taken by those in the rear of the aircraft. This was a particular issue for Row 1, because it is an exit row and all items must be stored overhead. Many Aer Lingus’ fleet now have the forwardmost overhead bins labeled “reserved for row 1”, which helps this troublesome issue.


The cabin crew were very welcoming (as is the norm for Aer Lingus).The Airbus 320 was immaculate and cabin crew warmly welcomed passengers and guided them to their seats. All Aer Lingus short haul aircraft are economy class and seats are configured 3-3. This particular aircraft’s seats were navy leather with adjustable headrests.

Inflight

The Captain gave a brief welcome, and details of flight times and routing, followed by a safety announcement. We pushed back on time, and were airborne by 06.40am.

Once cruising altitude was reached, the crew began the inflight service. This is a paid for service, and there is a good range of food & drink on offer. I had pre-ordered a breakfast. As well as guaranteeing a meal it avoids having to fumble for small notes/coins. Quite a number of passengers had pre-ordered breakfast, and each was asked before service began or their preference for either tea of coffee.

The breakfast consists of

• Tomato & hash brown
• Bacon
• Black & white pudding
• Sausages
• Brown bread
• Coffee & orange juice

As part of the new inflight catering, the standard of the cooked breakfast has improved. As we were in holiday mode, I decided to add a sparkle to our breakfast and asked for a couple of snipes of prosecco. At 8euro each, it was pure unadulterated indulgence, and a great way to start the holiday.

Given the two and a half hour flight time, the service is more relaxed than on (say) a Dublin – UK flight which gives a very tighter timeframe. Lisa Blaney and her team went of their way to make sure everybody was looked after.

We landed in Faro @ 9.10am, slightly ahead of schedule, and after a short taxi were on stand. Delplaning was by steps at both front and rear of the aircraft. Two buses were waiting to ferry passengers to the terminal building.

Passpost control was remarkably efficient in dealing with a planeload of passengers, and the process took less than 10 minutes. By this time, our bags were already on the belt in the arrivals hall.

Conclusion

A very impressive flight. Excellent service on board, which is the norm for Aer Lingus. Baggage collection was particularly efficient.

Aer Lingus have struck a good match between a low cost carrier model and offering a good level of service. This flight was almost full, so many others share this view.