BOOKED: An Aer Lingus & Iberia A321XLR Adventure!

Honestly speaking, I'm more interested to know how immigration and customs goes especially with you being gone for 72 hours and with what's been going on lately! Maybe you can give us an update on that front as well?!

In Dublin highly recommend the Shelbourne (Autograph Collection) on Stephen’s Green. Not many points options by the airport. Or options in general. Would be like a 30 min ride depending on traffic. Very nice and historic as well!

I have entered the US via air from Europe 3 times in the last 90 days and I haven't had the slightest hiccup. No difference compared with any other time in my lifetime.

I wish you’d shocked us and flown in the infamous seat 11A on Ryanair between Dublin and Madrid.

Could be a good opportunity to give an update on the IHG Ambassador program. And do IC Dublin.

St. Stephen’s Green is a lovely part of Dublin.

I'm Irish and a Dublin resident and I highly recommend that you stay in The Shelbourne too! It's the best points property in the city by far! If you want to stay by the airport, I suggest you stay in Clontarf Castle(15-ish mins by taxi) or the Hilton Dublin Airport if using points. Same you aren't flying from Dublin back to the states, you would've been able to avail of USPC!

And the AerSpace product on the A320 is terrible - aside from benefits on the ground, an empty middle seat and a free snack, that's it - no better service or anything. In saying that, AerSpace on the A321neo is great - lie-flat seat within Europe!

It's in the city, but the College Greens Marriott is pretty nice.

Marriott Shelburne will give you instant atmosphere in Dublin City centre for limited hours. Overlooks Stephen’s Green. Horseshoe bar off the lobby is worth a pint. If thinking chains by the airport, don’t bother with the Hilton. Radisson has one right at the hotel but the Airport Crown Plaza is in a nice woodland park setting a mile from the airport.

No way the Hilton DUB. That is one of the worst Airport Hotels in Europe that I used. I would rather use a Hampton or Moxy that that old hotel again.

Hi Ben,

Id stay in the city myself, it's only a short taxi to and from the airport. The airport hotels aren't great. There is a new one being constructed at T2 that you'll see.

Aer Space is exactly as you describe it. Nothing to be excited about. You should try a bag of Tayto Cheese and Onion Crisps/Chip - the first flavoured crisps in the world and a favourite of us here in Ireland.

There is a few lounges in T2 now - Aer Lingus, Martello (formerly East) and Liffey (formerly T2 lounge). The latter are only revamped a few months. Again, none of them are anything special.

Enjoy your journey.

Long time reader and admirer here, glad that you were able to find availability out of my "home base" here in MSP. Look forward to your impressions on both carriers, though the lounges here... aren't much to write home about.

The Hyatt Centric in Dublin is great. The only Hyatt property AFAIK in Ireland. Well located but not smack dab in the middle of the tourist spots.

Why didn't you book the Iberia flight with (Iberia) Avios?

The Radisson Blu at Dublin airport isn’t world changing but it’s convenient being a 5-10 minute walk from the terminals and often sensibly priced.

Dublin Express or Aircoach can actually get you from the city center to the airport pretty quickly (20 minutes or so). If you come into the city center there's lot's of good points hotels to check out. There's the Shelbourne (Marriott Autograph Collection), quite a few Hiltons, and a couple of Hyatt's as well.

I would personally check out the Four Seasons Minneapolis instead of the IC. I’ve stayed at many FS properties and was blown away with how nice the property is. It’s one of the nicest non-resort FS properties in the states and it’s not far from the airport.

My wife and I flew the AerLingus 321XLR from DUB to MSP two weeks ago, in coach. The flight was only about ⅓ full so we were able to have an empty middle seat between us, and no waiting to use the bathrooms. We had no complaints about our seats. But while the flight attendants were friendly, their service was entirely inadequate. They announced complimentary wine and beer with dinner but never came around with any. We asked and were told the beverage cart would be by shortly but it never was. They came by once with soft drinks but only the little mini-cans of coke. They came by a few times with water but only about a third of a cup at a time. I’d fly a 321XLR again on a long-haul flight — just not sure I’d do it on AerLingus.

Agree with the others for Dublin - would love a review of the Shelbourne. You can use points, and the dining outlets/bars are fantastic. I've never seen anything about the rooms though, so a review would be much appreciated (especially since there aren't many other luxury options in town besides the Merrion etc).

If the beer cart doesn’t came by your seat, go in the back and get what you want yourself.

If you use a NUA the suites at the Shelbourne are very nice. Usually gives you a 2 room suite overlooking the green!

You really want one of the Suites on the top floor. Paradise for Aviation geeks. I ended up in one courtesy of them downgrading me as a Royal Ambassador on a paid premium room

Ben you should fly from IAD to DXB on ek new 777 bizz than a350 to BOM. Than for the return you can fly from BOM to jfk/ear on air India A350

In past year we did two or three transatlantic AI Biz Class flights. NEO 321 ER, 12 to 14 seats
On one flight we had “throne’ seats - one not two seats on row.
On our first flight I asked FA if he was only one working BIZ. Yes, he said, was everything ok?
When offering an entree to a near by seat, he shared if he drops an entree, there’s no replacement. And the only red wine left for the entree course was an Aussie Organic.

Prepare to be underwhelmed.

+1. Stayed here many times past few years, fantastic hotel. Nice Globalist recognition and breakfast.

The Aer Lingus A321XLR, flown between Toronto and Dublin, is an absolute gem in Business Class, with attention given to details and extremely comfortable seats, especially the "Throne" seats which, contrary to those in the Lufthansa group, do not require a premium payment. Of course, the Aer Lingus flight attendants are almost all excellent and friendly, which adds to the pleasure. According to one of them on my flight, passenger satisfaction in the main cabin is substantially lower than what Aer Lingus expected.

My following flight, Dublin-Geneva, on an A320, was equally pleasant. While the middle seat is not blocked for rows 2 and above, the first few rows are reserved for passengers paying the more expensive inventories (sub-classes of Economy) and are therefore rarely occupied. I was in row 2 but no middle seat was occupied in rows 1 to 5 or 6. Starting with row 2, however, you pay for your food.

The only sticking point, with Aer Lingus, is when you have to use their Customer Service which is appalling and very hard to contact. In particular, Aer Lingus makes it extremely difficult to collect AAdvantage miles from their flights. Mine, from several weeks ago, have still not been credited, and there is no good will there. I am not sure whether it is intentional or not.

Having seen your review of the showers in the Aer Lingus lounge, I can confirm they have not changed.

Never again!

Agree with all the recommendations to go into Dublin - Shelbourne is a very historic hotel and notable locally, in a great location to go walking in the centre, plenty to see in the vicinity. It’s not far from the airport so quite doable.

Another points option which could be useful to readers is the Intercontinental, an ex Four Seasons property - nice property with good service but further out from the immediate centre - I wouldn’t normally recommend for a short stay for that reason.

There is also the Conrad near the Shelbourne - nice service but the property is quite outdated

Ben, are you just transiting MAD on one ticket? I'd appreciate a little insight into that non-schengen transfer in T4S after you've done it.

Something slightly left field and a bit less points-y but more travel-y (especially for UK & IE) would be to stay in a pub hotel.

I'd suggest the Marker hotel in the docklands. Good location and not far from the airport via a taxi through the tunnel that connects the port to the airport.
It's an Anantara property, have stayed there before and it's fabulous.. with a very scenic rooftop bar over looking the docklands.

I meant to add, in Dublin.

Agreed, I’ve stayed at the Shelbourne and loved it!

I’ve just flown from Dublin to Nashvillevia Aer Lingus new craft disappointed to say the least one complimentary drink in 8.5 hrs a bit tight that is also my meal tray was broke pan hence having to have my food and drink in my hand all the way not good I’m afraid disappointing ti say the least staff not very helpful when I mentioned this

Honestly, both carriers chose a really boring cabin for their A321XLRs. Herringbone seats don't make sense these days, and the Thompson Vantage seats have been out there for more than a decade.

I would have liked them more even if they chose Collins Diamond instead. Yes, those don't have a direct aisle access at every seats but and so is the Vantage, and you'd find that to be better if you're happening to be travelling with someone.

Did you ask for help in one run-on sentence? I could see how they may be confused and not very helpful.

The Intercontinental Dublin is a stellar hotel and I always stay there if connecting through Dublin and I have an overnight layover. It is quite beautifully decorated, has a stellar breakfast buffet, very comfortable beds and spacious rooms, and the staff are very accommodating and professional. I highly recommend staying here, especially if you can use your IHG rewards to cover it.

There's plenty of hotels in the vicinity of Dublin Airport with free shuttle service and also three or four at the Airport itself. Holiday Inn Express, Hilton All good just browse the web there's a good few