For the final worldwide phase of my Iceland to The Residence through Cambodia journey, I flew Aer Lingus’ Airbus A330-300 enterprise class on the 6hr20min flight from Dublin (DUB) to Boston (BOS). It had been a while since I flew Aer Lingus’ large physique enterprise class, so I used to be wanting ahead to seeing the way it was holding up.
I’d say that Aer Lingus’ transatlantic enterprise class is squarely center of the pack, and that’s in all probability place to be. Every part is fairly good, however not a lot is nice. Given Aer Lingus’ positioning throughout the IAG portfolio (which additionally consists of British Airways and Iberia), this type of product in all probability is sensible.
All-in-all, I all the time have nice experiences on Aer Lingus, and would gladly fly with the airline once more, particularly how brief most transatlantic hops are out of Dublin.
How I booked my Aer Lingus enterprise class ticket
I booked my Aer Lingus enterprise class ticket utilizing Alaska Atmos Rewards factors. Particularly, I booked the next for 45,000 Atmos Rewards factors plus $41.43 in taxes & charges:
11/05 EI137 Dublin to Boston departing 3:00PM arriving 5:10PM
I’d argue that this can be a deal that’s robust to beat, and better of all, you may even earn standing factors for award flights booked with Atmos Rewards. In case you ask me, that is simply among the best transatlantic award values, so I used to be very completely happy to seek out availability.
Aer Lingus enterprise class lounge & boarding
Dublin Airport has a United States CBP Preclearance facility, which means that you simply clear customs and immigration previous to boarding your transatlantic flight. I had a layover of somewhat over three hours, as I used to be arriving the identical day from Paris (CDG) in Aer Lingus’ A321LR AerSpace product.
Ordinarily, passengers on US-bound flights are directed to make use of the 51st&Inexperienced Lounge, situated throughout the Preclearance facility. Nevertheless, that lounge is at the moment present process a refurbishment, and the airline has a little bit of a lackluster makeshift setup.
Aer Lingus enterprise class passengers on US-bound flights are particularly excluded from utilizing the Aer Lingus Lounge, in order that this may be reserved for elite members and others with passes (which appears a bit backwards to me, however I digress).
As an alternative, the airline has a “reserved seating space” by the meals court docket, which consists of a bunch of chairs and occasional tables. There’s no meals or drinks within the area, and as an alternative, passengers are given a €20 voucher they’ll use on the meals court docket. Actually, I simply discovered the communication and rationalization round the entire thing to be poorly executed, however that is finally a brief difficulty.
Finally I made a decision to only head by way of the Preclearance facility, in order that I didn’t have to fret about that anymore.
Nevertheless, I type of immediately regretted that, because the facility isn’t very large, seating isn’t comfy, and meals & drink choices are additionally restricted. So undoubtedly don’t come right here as early as I did.
My flight was departing from gate 403, with boarding scheduled for two:15PM, 45 minutes earlier than departure. Positive sufficient, that’s precisely when boarding began, with enterprise class passengers being invited to board first.
Aer Lingus A330 enterprise class cabin & seats
I boarded the Aer Lingus A330 by way of the second door on the left, the place I used to be greeted by a pleasant crew member, after which turned left into enterprise class. Aer Lingus’ A330-300 enterprise class cabin consists of 30 seats, unfold throughout seven rows.
Aer Lingus A330s have staggered seats based mostly on the Thompson Aero Vantage platform, and seats alternate between being in a 2-2-1 and 1-2-1 configuration, which means there are both 4 or 5 seats per row.
Within the heart part, you’ll discover that there are all the time two seats per row, with the one distinction being how far the seats are from the aisles. There are not any “honeymoon” seats right here, however as an alternative, the middle seats are all equally far aside, so it simply comes all the way down to far you’re from the aisle.
On the appropriate aspect of the cabin, you’ll discover seats alternating between pairs and solo seats.
The pairs of seats right here would in all probability be my choice if touring with somebody, since I nonetheless like searching the window. Nevertheless, some individuals touring with others could favor the middle seats, in order that each passengers have direct aisle entry.
In the meantime the “throne” seats on this configuration are arguably one of the best seats onboard, given the quantity of non-public area they provide (although with some limitations when it comes to the footwell).
On the left aspect of the cabin, you’ll discover one seat in every row, and so they alternate between being nearer to the aisle or nearer to the home windows.
The seats which are nearer to the aisle aren’t supreme, because you don’t have a lot separation from the aisle, and may simply be bumped.
In the meantime the seats nearer to the home windows are cocoons of kinds. I assigned myself seat 6A, the “true” window seat on the left aspect, within the second to final row.
Whereas this isn’t the world’s most spacious enterprise class seat, I nonetheless discover it to be tremendous comfy, particularly for a brief transatlantic hop like this.
There was a console space subsequent to the seat, with a totally enclosed storage compartment.
That is additionally the place you’ll discover a panel with seat controls, the leisure controller, AC and USB-A charging ports, headphone jacks, and a water bottle holder.
The tray desk additionally folds out from proper subsequent to the storage compartment, and it’s a single, giant floor, so that you’re not going to have the ability to rise up through the meal service, as there’s nowhere to slip it.
The seat featured a decently sized footwell — it’s undoubtedly on the tight aspect, however to not the purpose of being uncomfortable.
Aer Lingus’ A330s additionally characteristic particular person air nozzles, which is all the time a deal with on large physique plane not operated by US airways.
All-in-all, I think about this to be a strong enterprise class arduous product. It’s not innovative and sure received’t “wow” anybody, nevertheless it’s additionally not a seat that individuals ought to object to. For a service like Aer Lingus, that’s in all probability the candy spot.
Aer Lingus A330 enterprise class leisure & Wi-Fi
Aer Lingus’ A330 enterprise class provides audio and video on demand, through 16″ seat again screens. It’s not precisely essentially the most innovative or excessive definition monitor, nevertheless it does the trick. The system had films, TV exhibits, audio, video games, and flight data.
As a result of how leisure was sorted, it was robust to rely precisely what number of packages there have been, however I discovered the choice to be strong, and I feel most individuals shouldn’t have any points discovering one thing that retains them entertained.
Aer Lingus additionally has Wi-Fi on its A330s, in partnership with Panasonic. Ordinarily, the airline expenses as little as €3.49 for a messaging go, and as a lot as €20.49 for a streaming go.
Nevertheless, the airline provides enterprise class passengers vouchers without spending a dime Wi-Fi, with no knowledge caps. This merely requires logging into the portal, then clicking the “use a voucher or low cost code” button, after which coming into the code.
In case you register an account, it’s simple to then swap between units all through the flight.
I discovered the Wi-Fi speeds to be respectable — not Starlink or Viasat ranges, however nonetheless ok to remain productive.
Aer Lingus enterprise class facilities
Aer Lingus provides all the usual facilities you’d anticipate in lengthy haul enterprise class, however with restricted frills. Every enterprise class passenger will get a considerable pillow and a comfy blanket, which I’d think about to be fairly good.
Headphones have been additionally positioned at every seat, and so they have been on the essential aspect, and didn’t do a lot in the best way of noise cancellation.
Additionally ready on the seat upon boarding was the amenity equipment, with socks, eyeshades, earplugs, a pen, a dental equipment, and two merchandise from Jo Brown (lip balm and moisturizer).
There was additionally a menu positioned at every seat, which contained the drink checklist.
Throughout boarding, the crew got here round with pre-departure drinks, with the selection of champagne, orange juice, or water, and you’ll guess which I selected. 😉 For what it’s price, Aer Lingus pours Jean Pernet Custom Brut NV in enterprise class.
Vouchers without spending a dime Wi-Fi have been additionally distributed towards the top of boarding.
Aer Lingus A330 departure from Dublin
Since boarding occurred by way of the second set of doorways, the method was good and calm for these in enterprise class. Enterprise class was solely two-thirds full, with 10 seats remaining unocipued.
I loved listening to Aer Lingus’ boarding music, and at 2:55PM boarding wrapped up and the primary cabin door was closed. At that time the captain added his welcome aboard, informing us of our flight time of 6hr20min, and our anticipated 10-minute taxi to the departure runway.
At 3PM we started our pushback, at which level the guide security demonstration was carried out. The crew then rapidly carried out security checks — Aer Lingus has some quirky guidelines, like requiring passengers to not use pillows and blankets throughout taxi, takeoff, and touchdown.
At 3:05PM we began our taxi out to runway 10R, which lined fairly a little bit of floor.
There wasn’t a lot in the best way of site visitors, and by 3:20PM we have been cleared for takeoff.
Whereas it was an overcast day in Dublin, the views on the climb out have been beautiful.
Regardless of a clean climb, the seatbelt signal stayed on for fairly a while, because it was solely turned off round 20 minutes after takeoff.
Aer Lingus enterprise class meal service
After takeoff, it was time for the primary meal service on this flight, which was dinner. You will discover the Aer Lingus enterprise class menu beneath.
And you could find the Aer Lingus enterprise class drink checklist beneath.
I used to be very impressed by the tempo at which service began after takeoff. Slightly below half-hour after departure, I used to be served my first drink. I had a glass of the Italian white wine, which went down simple, and that was served with some packaged onion and paprika biscuits with spiced apple chutney. I really like Aer Lingus’ creativity with its drink snack, because it’s good to see an airline considering past nuts.
A couple of minutes after the primary spherical of drinks, heat towels have been distributed.
After that, the service tempo turned a bit extra leisurely, which I used to be wonderful with, on condition that this was a daytime flight. The primary course consisted of the selection of a soup or an appetizer. I opted for the tomato and crimson pepper soup with garlic and thyme croutons, which was served with a easy aspect salad and a bread roll. The soup was tasty, and the proper temperature.
As soon as the primary course was cleared, mains have been introduced out one-by-one. Of the three selections, I chosen the mushroom and lentil casserole with lemon thyme mashed potatoes, roasted child carrots, and sautéed garlic kale. Whereas it wasn’t the nicest offered dish I’ve seen, it truly tasted fairly good, and I appreciated seeing a non-pasta vegetarian possibility.
Slightly below two hours after takeoff, the meal service wrapped up with both dessert or cheese, which was all introduced out on particular person trays. I ordered the dessert, which was an orange chocolate mousse dome with a milk chocolate drizzle. I additionally had a cup of tea to go together with it.
Whereas nothing extravagant, I believed the meal was fairly tasty, and completely enough. Like with the general Aer Lingus expertise, little delights, however nothing actually disappoints both.
Aer Lingus A330 enterprise class toilet
Aer Lingus has two enterprise class bathrooms on the A330, situated in entrance of the cabin. One of many bathrooms is on the very entrance left of the plane by the cockpit, whereas the opposite is on the appropriate aspect, in entrance of row one (there are two bathrooms behind the cabin as nicely, however they can be utilized by economic system passengers).
The bathrooms have been pretty fundamental, with the one noticeable characteristic being some Jo Brown hand wash and hand lotion.
Aer Lingus A330 enterprise class mattress
It had been a really lengthy couple of journey days for me, so as soon as again at my seat, I reclined into mattress mode, and was able to get some relaxation.
I fell asleep in nearly no time, with simply over 4 hours remaining to Boston…
…and I wakened round two hours earlier than touchdown, as we have been already making landfall in North America.
Aer Lingus enterprise class pre-landing snack
As quickly as I wakened, I ordered a cup of espresso, and was additionally offered with the snack basket, which had some candy treats.
Round 75 minutes earlier than touchdown, the pre-arrival service started, and you could find the Aer Lingus menu beneath.
Of the 2 savory choices, I selected the chilled Korean BBQ-marinated tofu served with a quinoa and barley salad, and cucumber yogurt. There was then additionally a trio of candy treats, together with a petite carrot cake chew, a crimson velvet sponge cake, and an Irish cream profiterole with chocolate ganache I’ve gotta say, this was an above common pre-landing snack, particularly for a flight of this size. To drink, I had one other cup of tea.
Aer Lingus enterprise class service
The crew on this Aer Lingus flight was pleasant and casual, which is mainly what I anticipate from Aer Lingus. Aer Lingus doesn’t provide essentially the most polished or customized service, however I discover flight attendants on the airline deal with passengers with respect and like people, and infrequently interact passengers in dialog. That’s greater than many different airways can say.
So my impression of service on this flight was usually constructive — nothing significantly stood out to me, however as an alternative, it was simply an all-around pleasant expertise.
Aer Lingus A330 arrival in Boston
At round 4:05PM the captain was on the PA to announce that we’d quickly be descending, and can be touchdown in round 35 minutes. Positive sufficient, a second later we began our descent.
I assume there was plenty of site visitors, as a result of we ended up having to sequence fairly a bit on method. The views have been stunning, because the solar was simply setting.
We ended up touching down at 4:40PM on runway 22L. From there, we had a brief five-minute taxi to our arrival gate, the place we pulled in at 4:45PM, 25 minutes forward of schedule.
It was good to reach having already cleared immigration, as I may stroll straight into the home departures space. From there, I headed to the close by Hyatt Regency Boston Harbor, the place I’d be spending the night time, previous to flying dwelling the next morning.
Backside line
Aer Lingus enterprise class is a dependable technique to cross the Atlantic, particularly with the consistency in seats between slim physique and large physique planes. Aer Lingus’ A330 enterprise class provides pleasant service, free Wi-Fi, and good leisure, together with meals, drinks, and facilities, which are ok.
If the worth or schedule are proper, I’d gladly fly Aer Lingus once more.
What’s your tackle Aer Lingus’ A330 enterprise class?
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