Dublin Airport/Aer Lingus

[Ocean Mouse]

We are UK passport holders. We will be flying to Miami with Aer Lingus via Dublin, chosen primarily to take advantage of preclearance of US immigration and customs.

 

We will be seated in economy.

 

Does anyone have experience of (a) flying long haul with Aer Lingus in economy (b) Dublin airport transit and preclearance?

Edited May 22, 2023 by Ocean Mouse

[tony s]

Very easy and quick. Nice part is checked in bags do not have to be claimed and rechecked. Only negative is once through pre clearance no duty free and no real food.

[princeton123211]

49 minutes ago, tony s said:

Only negative is once through pre clearance no duty free and no real food.

Agree-- this is the best piece of advice. It is very spartan once you are through pre clearance in terms of normal airport amenities. Eat/drink/shop before you go through pre clearance to avoid disappointment. 

 

The onboard experience is fine and can depend on what equipment you are on. Their widebody A330s are very comfortable and have two aisles. Aer Lingus does fly a bunch of single aisle Airbus A321s and ancient Boeing 757s which are far less comfortable for a transatlantic flight-- worth checking to set expectations. 

 

Onboard service in economy is fine-- nothing to write home about but also not bad. Very similar to BA (which makes sense because they are owned by BA). 

[Ocean Mouse]

Thank you for your comments. The reviews of Aer Lingus I have read haven't been very encouraging. Will ensure we are adequately fed and watered before going the to the preclearance area.

[Cotswold Eagle]

3 hours ago, princeton123211 said:

ancient Boeing 757s

Fortunately, EI hasn't flown 757s for a few years now. It's an all Airbus fleet. 

[VMax1700]

The only drawback of Pre Clearance is if you get the dreaded SSS on your boarding card.  (Secondary Security Screening - takes longer!)

But the advantage of Pre Clearance is immense compared to the zoo that is MIA Immigration lines.

Also there is a lounge after Pre Clearance that you can purchase access to, but probably not worth the expense.  

[princeton123211]

56 minutes ago, VMax1700 said:

Also there is a lounge after Pre Clearance that you can purchase access to, but probably not worth the expense. 

Went there once as it was included in a biz class ticket and once was enough-- I would never pay out of pocket to go inside it again. It gets crowded, the food is lackluster at best, and like that area of the airport, is quite spartan.  The best part is the coffee bar (which also has alcohol) but there is a coffee kiosk in the main pre clearance area that's basically the same stuff. 

 

Also keep in mind that the pre clearance process can generate some large lines so your time to actually use the lounge might be quite limited and you won't know until the day of.