Hello from back home, as I just flew Aer Lingus’ Airbus A330 business class on the 6hr20min flight from Dublin (DUB) to Boston (BOS), as part of my review trip.
Continue reading: Aer Lingus A330 Business Class: Pleasant But Unmemorable Journey
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
Not sure what exactly 'Korean BBQ' about that tofu dish. Instead, it looks like they poured Korean fried chicken sauce over that.
Well, that fried chicken sauce is just a Korean localised sweet and sour sauce and doesn't contain any meat in it. It's that these are poured on or dipped to a fried chicken.
Ben, I guess you could have caused drama with the crew on some imaginary issue like you know who and then had plenty to write about. Most flights up front are just that, pleasant but soon forgotten.
Maybe 'Pleasant But Unmemorable' should be the goal sometimes; like, I get it, we're all kinda 'into' the whole 'it's not the destination, it's the journey' because we like 'nice things' and try to be 'present,' but, let's also be realistic that a job-well-done can also be without unnecessary fluff. DUB-BOS doesn't need to be Emirates First.
Ben, for that routing, did you consider DeltaOne or jetBlue Mint? I believe they also have nonstops, seasonally between DUB-BOS. With Delta, you could've gotten access to their new D1 lounge in BOS if connecting domestic, afterwards; of course, Mint is nice, too; but, both DL and B6 are seasonal, so Aer Lingus might be more available and reliable.
The pre-arrival snack of Korean BBQ marinated tofu is the last thing I would have expected for an... Irish airline crossing the Atlantic ocean.
arent u asking to be pampered a little too much?
and also i find quite amusing that you notice that people talk, talk and talk. Like ppl just being... people?
or you prefer a more sterile environment like in an hospital?
@ sheila -- Respectfully, you're reading into something I didn't say. In no way did I criticize that the crew was talking. Please read what I actually wrote:
"In no way did it interfere with the service or was it disruptive, but I couldn’t help but notice that the crews were just constantly chatting with one another and laughing (which is kind of nice to see)."
I literally said it was "kind of nice to see." So no, I don't prefer a more sterile environment like a hospital.
@ Francisco C -- I typically bring them home and then eventually donate them to shelters, assuming I don't love the kits or use the contents.
@ 1990 -- I specifically wanted to review the Aer Lingus A330, which is why I chose that over Delta or JetBlue. I do hope to fly Delta One ex-Boston soon to check out that lounge.
@ George Romey -- I guess you could say that I was SCAMMED out of drama on this flight!
Delta is year round, reduced frequency in winter. Strangely it operates the 767 in summer, with the A330-900 deployed during winter.
The mousse dome looks like it had an accident and started bleeding... however, the pre-landing desserts look awesome!
I couldn’t help but notice that the crews were just constantly chatting with one another and laughing (which is kind of nice to see). -> We should all be so blessed as to enjoy life this much
Was this a cash redemption or points? I've been unable to book a points redemption for business so I was curious. Thanks!
Could not agree more. I just flew to/from South Africa via ADD on Ethiopian from Dulles. Was cloud 9 the most instagram worthy experience ever, of course not. But all my flights hat lie-flat seats, food was quite tasty (the traditional Ethiopian food was excellent), the attendants were all lovely and all our flights were on time. I really don't care there was no caviar lol.
Ben writes:
“Ultimately I think Aer Lingus’ business class is good enough, and I think that’s perfectly fair given the carrier’s market position”.
Placing EI, firmly in the middle of the U.S. airlines pack, is undoubtedly very fair comment. Hardly World Class nevertheless.
I think you are being a bit too harsh with EI likely after Etihad. But their crew is lovely and make a perfect Atlantic crossing every time. Consistency and being nice goes a longer way than the service we are growing used to by the American Big3.
Pretty substantial meal for the second service on a transatlantic hop! Honestly not having anything bad to say about an all-veg meal is pretty fantastic? If you have a little bit of time, really good option as well to save on the crazier and crazier fees when flying out of LHR / CDG.
Seemed like a nice flight, obviously feels a bit bread and butter after those two experiences, but good bread and butter is often just what we all are looking for!
Please stop doing this. How am I supposed to look cool with my Versace toiletry bag if some shelter bum is repping the same one? You’re diminishing the business class experience for everyone
'anyone noticing how I’m mixing up my mains a bit more?!'
YES! LOL.
More steak reviews would be appreciated 😉
yes and we were talking about our patients ! and who was screwing Dr. ..... LOL ! said the Surgical RN
These seats look like the current business seats on Swiss. Are they equally lumpy as the seats on Swiss? I have found the Swiss business seats to be very uncomfortable for sleeping for years now - it's the massage function and their air pockets that are broken I think, and that makes for an extra lumpy seat. Whatever it is, it's not very comfortable anymore. What's the comfort of these seats for lying down and sleeping?
One thing I appreciate about your reviews (and this one highlights my point) is your ability to sum it all quite succinctly in a very short and compact sentence: pleasant but unmemorable journey.
That actually sounds like a perfect flight experience to me. Very often people's expectations for business class are way too high so they inevitably leave disappointed. With US pre-clearance, decent entertainment and a friendly (chatty) crew, who could ask for anything more?
Andrew, that's good to hear. I'm based in NYC, and occasionally there are really nice Star Alliance partner redemptions (via MileagePlus, Aeroplan) on Ethiopian; haven't tried it yet, but am seriously considering it. 80K to get to the other side of the world in lie-flat... hard to beat.
Same. I've thoroughly enjoyed D1 at JFK and LAX multiple times (on departure AND arrival, which is a pretty cool benefit, if taking the domestic transcon.) I've been mapping out how to see both BOS and SEA, now that they've opened D1. Looking forward to SLC as well once it opens (good timing for their upcoming Olympics, beautiful new terminals, too.) What shocks me about Delta and their D1 lounges is that they've delayed ATL; I get it, captive market; but, still, wish they'd have some pride and do right for their headquarters. When I was based in SoFla, I recall countless connections through Atlanta... woulda been nice! Bah.
KT, if its the 763 (which I think it is), that's quite a downgrade for D1, which, in the 339 has the new Suites (no-door, I think). Interesting difference between the seasons, for sure.
For the relatively shorter transatlantic route, you'd think DL would follow AA and get some A321XLR with the 1-1 lie-flat in front; alas, I guess they'll hold onto those 763s into the 2030s... *cough* Tim *cough*
Aer Lingus a330 business has been deteriorating significantly in the last couple of years.
Their customer service just sends emails but never addresses the complaints.
The A330 300 does not have enough space for my size 12 feet, to sleep on my side or bend my knees.
They ignore special meal requests and just provide vegetarian instead of the ordered special meal.
The cabin crew disappear eastbound and don't leave out cups for the drinks.
Overall they are the worst option from West Coast to Dublin, despite direct flights.
My wife and I flew Aer Lingus from Chicago to Dublin--and then on to Edinburgh on a separate AL flight--in business class. I found the service attentive and I am in full agreement with the chatty, engaging nature of the AL flight attendants. I mentioned I'd like a gin and tonic every 45 minutes and without fail she followed my request. I found the Irish accent enjoyable to hear and their outgoing ways enhancing the flight for both of us. I recommend it highly.
As opposed to AA flight crew that spend 7 hours moaning about how bad it is and how annoying it is when a passenger has the ordacity to ring that bel