Aer Lingus Airline Guide

Aer Lingus is based in Dublin and is the national airline of Ireland, carrying about 10 million passengers per year. It flies short-haul routes across Ireland, Europe and the UK and long-haul to the US and Dubai, and has started to focus on low-cost flights. It is now easy to connect to the USA, Canada, Asia and Australia through Aer Lingus's partners: United, KLM, British Airways, JetBlue Airways and Etihad Airways.

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Check-in

Airport check-in desks close 45 minutes before departure for short-haul flights and 60 minutes before departure for long-haul flights. However, Aer Lingus recommends that you arrive three-and-a-half hours before flights that arrive or depart outside Europe, or two-and-a-half hours for UK and European flights. Online check-in is available for most flights between 30 hours and two hours before departure. Advance online check-in, between 30 days and 30 hours before departure, is also available for most flights.

Luggage restrictions and security

Hand luggage: each passenger over two years old can take on one piece of hand luggage measuring no more than 55cm x 40cm x 24cm and weighing no more than 10kg. One additional item such as a small handbag, Duty Free shopping bag or baby changing bag is also allowed.

Checked:On short-haul flights, with an Economy Low Fare you will need to pay for each piece of checked luggage, which can weigh up to 20kg in total per passenger. With Economy Plus and Flex Fares your first bag is free of charge. On long-haul flights, all passengers are permitted one bag under 23kg free of charge, and with Flex Fares you can check in two bags up to 23kg each for free. In all cases, baggage fees are cheapest when booked online rather than at the airport.

Families, elderly and disabled

Infants up to 24 months who do not need their own seat will be charged a flat rate of £19 per one-way flight on short-haul routes, or 10% of the adult fare on flights to/from the USA. Children aged between two and 11 must travel in their own seat, and Aer Lingus offers a discount on child fares for transatlantic flights. Aer Lingus does not accept bookings for unaccompanied children under 12 years old.

Aer Lingus requests that passengers requiring assistance or with special requests inform them at the time of booking, and no later than 48 hours before departure.

Selecting a seat

There is a seat pitch of 31" or 32", depending on the aircraft type, and a width of 17". On short-haul flights you can pre-book a standard seat from £5, and an extra-legroom seat from £10. Otherwise, Aer Lingus will allocate you a seat at random at check-in. On long-haul flights there is no charge for pre-booking a standard seat. Seats at the front of the aircraft or with extra legroom can be selected at an additional charge.

In-flight food and entertainment

On short-haul flights you can purchase snacks and drinks, or you can pre-order a meal if you prefer. On long-haul flights, meals and non-alcoholic drinks are complimentary, and you can also watch feature films and TV, play games and listen to music, using a complimentary headset. From March 2013 Aer Lingus will offer wi-fi internet access on all transatlantic flights.

Pets, sports gear and musical instruments

Animals cannot travel on short-haul flights, except Aer Lingus Regional flights. They can be booked on direct flights between Ireland and certain US destinations only, must travel as cargo and can only travel on specific days. Sports equipment can weigh up to 15kg and usually costs £25 per item when booked online. Musical instruments can be taken as hand luggage if they are within the cabin bag size and weight limits, but otherwise you will have to book an extra seat.

Alliances and air miles

Aer Lingus is no longer a member of the oneworld alliance, but has several airline partners (see above). It also offers passengers the chance to earn Gold Circle Club points.

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Contact

Call +353 0818 365 000 (Ireland) or +44 (0)871 718 5000 (UK) or visit www.aerlingus.com.