Jan 9, 2016, 2:35 pm
Last edit by: Pilot37
This is a "clinic" thread, so a great way to find out how to go via Dublin Airport en route to somewhere else (probably!). It covers issues such as back to back flights, overnight stopovers, passport and security issues, and logistical issues. There have been some recent posts about the viability of back to back trips, for which more reports of recent experiences would be helpful. See post 1468 onwards for more information.
Other threads which may well be useful include:
BA Tier Point Runs 2017
Premium Fare deals (J and F)
Ex-Mainland Europe Travel Planning Guide
Back-to-back / Immediate Turnarounds at BA Destinations
Travel with BA from Cork, Shannon and Knock - a pictorial guide
These sorts of flight arrangements aren't for everyone. If you have a family and luggage to check in, the potential cost savings have to weighed against the additional hassle and risk. Generally speaking it is safest to go either back to back or overnight - the latter is easier with checked luggage. The underlying logic for this is in this post.
Other threads which may well be useful include:
BA Tier Point Runs 2017
Premium Fare deals (J and F)
Ex-Mainland Europe Travel Planning Guide
Back-to-back / Immediate Turnarounds at BA Destinations
Travel with BA from Cork, Shannon and Knock - a pictorial guide
These sorts of flight arrangements aren't for everyone. If you have a family and luggage to check in, the potential cost savings have to weighed against the additional hassle and risk. Generally speaking it is safest to go either back to back or overnight - the latter is easier with checked luggage. The underlying logic for this is in this post.
Ex DUB logistics and positioning | clinic thread
Jun 12, 2017, 10:03 am
#1576
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: London
Programs: BA EC Gold
Posts: 214
Thanks for the report dca100.
Yes I had seen that report. I was looking to see if I could fit in a trip from LHR-DUB in the next few weeks to see myself but I was struggling to find something at a reasonable price when I am actually free.
Did you go to normal security or fast track? Fast track has a separate entrance to normal security. Basically as you walk the length of the terminal passing the check in desks on your right normal track is straight ahead but fast track is to the right at the other side of the check in desks. EDIT: or did you actually use flight connections rather than going out landside?
Yes I had seen that report. I was looking to see if I could fit in a trip from LHR-DUB in the next few weeks to see myself but I was struggling to find something at a reasonable price when I am actually free.
Did you go to normal security or fast track? Fast track has a separate entrance to normal security. Basically as you walk the length of the terminal passing the check in desks on your right normal track is straight ahead but fast track is to the right at the other side of the check in desks. EDIT: or did you actually use flight connections rather than going out landside?
Jun 12, 2017, 10:53 am
#1577
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: London
Programs: Mucci (Scirocco Sash), BAEC Gold, IHG Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 864
Just to add having been through the new version of the 200 gates at DUB a few times in the past few weeks (not doing a B2B) I haven't seen any evidence of a way to double back to the gate area and as c-w-s hints at above suggests either a door was open in error or similar if there was a suggestion this remained possible (I couldn't quite see the reference up-thread).
dca100 it sounds like you went to the end of the baggage hall and used the Flight Connections channel; what most people would advise to do in this context is exit the baggage hall entirely and go landside, then re-enter airside via the "normal" fast track security entrance, which tends to be quick.
Still doesn't resolve the passport queue issue, for which there is no easy solution and does indeed mean those with a low risk tolerance probably are best off not attempting the B2B route on BA at DUB (in my opinion anyway).
Edited to add: From some poking around on the Fingal County Council planning portal I located the planning application and supporting materials, which includes the background/rationale document submitted to support the application, which may be of interest.
Pier 2 planning application
dca100 it sounds like you went to the end of the baggage hall and used the Flight Connections channel; what most people would advise to do in this context is exit the baggage hall entirely and go landside, then re-enter airside via the "normal" fast track security entrance, which tends to be quick.
Still doesn't resolve the passport queue issue, for which there is no easy solution and does indeed mean those with a low risk tolerance probably are best off not attempting the B2B route on BA at DUB (in my opinion anyway).
Edited to add: From some poking around on the Fingal County Council planning portal I located the planning application and supporting materials, which includes the background/rationale document submitted to support the application, which may be of interest.
Pier 2 planning application
Last edited by daftboy; Jun 12, 2017 at 11:13 am Reason: Planning application
Jun 12, 2017, 11:51 am
#1579
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,676
Just to add having been through the new version of the 200 gates at DUB a few times in the past few weeks (not doing a B2B) I haven't seen any evidence of a way to double back to the gate area and as c-w-s hints at above suggests either a door was open in error or similar if there was a suggestion this remained possible (I couldn't quite see the reference up-thread).
dca100 it sounds like you went to the end of the baggage hall and used the Flight Connections channel; what most people would advise to do in this context is exit the baggage hall entirely and go landside, then re-enter airside via the "normal" fast track security entrance, which tends to be quick.
Still doesn't resolve the passport queue issue, for which there is no easy solution and does indeed mean those with a low risk tolerance probably are best off not attempting the B2B route on BA at DUB (in my opinion anyway).
Edited to add: From some poking around on the Fingal County Council planning portal I located the planning application and supporting materials, which includes the background/rationale document submitted to support the application, which may be of interest.
Pier 2 planning application
dca100 it sounds like you went to the end of the baggage hall and used the Flight Connections channel; what most people would advise to do in this context is exit the baggage hall entirely and go landside, then re-enter airside via the "normal" fast track security entrance, which tends to be quick.
Still doesn't resolve the passport queue issue, for which there is no easy solution and does indeed mean those with a low risk tolerance probably are best off not attempting the B2B route on BA at DUB (in my opinion anyway).
Edited to add: From some poking around on the Fingal County Council planning portal I located the planning application and supporting materials, which includes the background/rationale document submitted to support the application, which may be of interest.
Pier 2 planning application
Jun 12, 2017, 1:36 pm
#1580
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Hampshire
Programs: BAEC GOLD
Posts: 38
Appreciate any advice. If I'm reading these latest posts then there's a feeling B2B isn't as 'risk free' as it used to be. I'm doing my first exDublin trip to USA next month - going to Dublin day before but doing a B2B on return - have hour between flights. Should I consider booking an additional flight for 3 hours later, say a cheap AVIOS reward flight - or am I 'over reacting'?
Thanks
Thanks
Jun 12, 2017, 1:56 pm
#1581
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 63,850
Appreciate any advice. If I'm reading these latest posts then there's a feeling B2B isn't as 'risk free' as it used to be. I'm doing my first exDublin trip to USA next month - going to Dublin day before but doing a B2B on return - have hour between flights. Should I consider booking an additional flight for 3 hours later, say a cheap AVIOS reward flight - or am I 'over reacting'?
Having said that: B2B is not for everyone. If you are the sort that hates risk and things going wrong then that's why the good Lord invented direct flights.
Jun 12, 2017, 3:16 pm
#1582
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Hampshire
Programs: BAEC GOLD
Posts: 38
Personally I wouldn't bother, and just be in a position to be flexible on the day. So ensure your FR App is up to date, for example, and you have checked the hotels beforehand. There is a lot of competition on Ireland - UK services and if (e.g.) the late Birmingham is running, and it's cheap, well the train service to Euston will get you out of problems. Yes there is an implied cost of this, but one key point about DCA's experience was that it appears to have been in the morning when DUB is at its busiest. Evenings are much easier. And he didn't miss his flight!
Having said that: B2B is not for everyone. If you are the sort that hates risk and things going wrong then that's why the good Lord invented direct flights.
Having said that: B2B is not for everyone. If you are the sort that hates risk and things going wrong then that's why the good Lord invented direct flights.
can I ask one more thing. my exDub flight arrives at LHR @9.10. My next flight is to BOS @11.15. When I arrive at T5 am I better off exiting to landside and then going through first wing OR do I follow the transfer signs. Apologies if this is in the stickies but can't see anything.
Thank you
Jun 12, 2017, 3:21 pm
#1583
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,990
Thank you for your comments C-W-S.
can I ask one more thing. my exDub flight arrives at LHR @9.10. My next flight is to BOS @11.15. When I arrive at T5 am I better off exiting to landside and then going through first wing OR do I follow the transfer signs. Apologies if this is in the stickies but can't see anything.
Thank you
can I ask one more thing. my exDub flight arrives at LHR @9.10. My next flight is to BOS @11.15. When I arrive at T5 am I better off exiting to landside and then going through first wing OR do I follow the transfer signs. Apologies if this is in the stickies but can't see anything.
Thank you
Jun 12, 2017, 3:30 pm
#1584
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Hampshire
Programs: BAEC GOLD
Posts: 38
Cheers
Jun 13, 2017, 3:11 am
#1585
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,990
Ok, I have now booked for 6 August to go and have a look myself at the new arrangement in DUB.
As others have mentioned already, based on the fact they have spent all this money doing work to segregate passengers I would be surprised if they have left a route to simply double back in to the 200 gate area.
As others have mentioned already, based on the fact they have spent all this money doing work to segregate passengers I would be surprised if they have left a route to simply double back in to the 200 gate area.
Jun 13, 2017, 3:18 am
#1587
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,990
Jun 13, 2017, 3:22 am
#1588
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,676
Ok, I have now booked for 6 August to go and have a look myself at the new arrangement in DUB.
As others have mentioned already, based on the fact they have spent all this money doing work to segregate passengers I would be surprised if they have left a route to simply double back in to the 200 gate area.
As others have mentioned already, based on the fact they have spent all this money doing work to segregate passengers I would be surprised if they have left a route to simply double back in to the 200 gate area.
So I'll try and grab some pictures on my way through.
Jun 13, 2017, 3:57 am
#1589
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,990
Thanks. Yes, similarly no b2b planned for me at DUB on any future trips. Was looking at a possible DUB-LAS trip next March in the current sale but I wouldn't plan to do that as a b2b if I do book.