Aer Lingus really means Business with their Business Class cabin and service. I flew Manchester to JFK with Aer Lingus and experienced their Business Class product for the first time.
Being completely honest with you, at this point I had only ever flown Business Class once in my life. My first Business Class flight was with British Airways in their Club Suites. In all honesty, I thought it would be very hard to beat that or even match up too it. I had looked at Aer Lingus’ Business Class product online and had my preconceptions..
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Originally, I was flying economy. However, I asked about upgrading when checking in and it was possible. I paid cash to upgrade. Upgrading was a really easy process and soon enough I was on my way to the lounge. The lounge wasn’t much to shout about. It didn’t offer much but it was just a shared lounge rather than an Aer Lingus only lounge. Soon enough it was time to board and I made sure to be the first in line.
First Impressions
Stepping onto the plane, I was greeted by name and I was immediately impressed. My coat was taken and hung up for the duration of the flight. I had not had this level of service ever before. I settled into my seat, 3K. This is known as the “throne” seat. It meant I had room on both sides of my seat. I do think this offered more privacy than other seats within the Business Class cabin.
I had so much room and the seat was very comfy. As I explored my seat, I was impressed. It looked much better in person than online. Photo’s had not done the product justice. Is it as modern or as clean looking as British Airways? No it’s not. However, there is a huge difference in the price point between the two airlines and what they offer.
cabin configuration
One of the biggest things that shocked me about Aer Lingus’ Business Class Cabin is that it was quite small. Only 7 rows in total and the configuration is very different than most. It is a 1 – 2 – 1 or 1 – 2 – 2 depending on the row.
On one side of the plane you had indivudual seats from front to back and they switched configuration. Seat 1A had the cupboard closest to the window and seat next to the aisle. Whilst seat 2A had the seat closest to the window and cupboard closest to the aisle. I do think this seat offered a little more privacy.
In the middle of the plane, you had 2 seats together which I think would be great for those travelling together. However, these seats also changed configuration slightly from front to back. On one row the Left hand seat was open to the aisle with a divider, then the right hand seat with a cupboard on the opposite aisle side giving more privacy. However, the row behind had the left hand seat closest to the middle with the cupboard closest to the aisle, then the middle divider and then the right hand seat was open to the aisle.
The third configuration difference was on the side of the plane that I was on. I was in seat 3K and my seat was on its own and I had cupboards either side of me. However, the seats infront and behind me has 2 seats with only one upboard/shelf in between both seats. As these were window seats, it would mean the person sat at the window would have to climb over the person sat on the aisle seat if they were in the lie flat position which you don’t often see with Business Class configurations anymore.
onboard dining and service
Service onboard Aer Lingus was impeccable. The staff could not have done more for me. I was travelling solo and they made me feel so welcome and so comfortable from the moment I stepped onboard. From taking my coat, bringing me a glass of champagne and checking on me regularly, it truly was a wonderful
Before take-off the crew came round to take my order for the meal service and I was surpsied by the choice. I chose to have the tomato and red pepper soup to start, the Braised Beef for my main meal and the Triple Belgian chocolate mousse for dessert. The food was amazing. Like I said, I’m new to business class so the food was amazing in comparison to what I am used too on a plane.
I opted for a cup of tea once in the air, it was January and cold and I wanted warming up from the inside. The crew immediately remembered how I liked my tea and then kept refreshing my cup of tea and I didn’t have to tell them again how I liked it. It’s the simple things that make the world of difference for me when it comes to good service. Aer Lingus also offered snacks which we’re put out for people to go and help themselves too, so I of course had some biscuits and a Dairy Milk with my cup of tea.
inflight Entertainment
Aer Lingus had a really good selection on their in-flight entertainment. I am a huge movie person and I was more than ready to snuggle in and watch as many films as I could during the 8 hour flight. I started with Crazy Rich Asians before we had even taken off. This is my go to movie on a flight as it’s just such an easy watch for me.
Their entertainment system was easy to use and quite quick and not lagging like other airlines. What impressed me most was the number of more recent films available to watch. One’s that had only come out 2 or 3 months prior which was so refreshing to see. They also had the complete boxset of Friends which I watched for the last hour as we landed into New York.
post flight thoughts
Now, i’m always going to keep it honest here and if you’ve seen my other review flying business class with British Airways, you’ll know I loved that experience. However, I have to admit I much preferred my experience with Aer Lingus than I did with British Airways. Although, I do have to add that I think the British Airways Club World Suites is a better business class product.
Let me elaborate, the Club World Suites offered more privacy, the product was newer, more modern and sleek. But, the service on Aer Lingus outweighed everything. The cabin was a much smaller business class cabin and maybe that is something to consider, but the service was incredible with Aer Lingus. The attention paid, the small gestures that make such a difference, it just amounted to a much better experience. When I boarded, they took my coat and hung it up in a closet, they constantly checked on me, without it being overbearing, remembered how I liked my cup of tea after the first one, meaning I never had to tell them again how I would like my cup of tea. The cabin manager introduced himself and addressed me by name before take-off as well. It was all the little things that made such a difference.
The price point of Aer Lingus is also much more affordable on a cash ticket compared British Airways. Overall, I loved flying with Aer Lingus and would recommend them. Have you flown with Aer Lingus? Let me know your thoughts!
