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Airline Review: Aer Lingus

July 21, 2008

On my recent flight to London, I got to fly Aer Lingus. For $350 dollars, they were the cheapest deal around plus they codeshared with my frequent flier program. (I’m a proud user of the Oneworld system.) I expected an awful flight as some of my Irish friends didn’t have kind words for the carrier but I found the flight to be just fine.

Aer Lingus used to be a major carrier but has since restructered themselves to be a low cost carrier offering cheap flights around Europe and to connecting cities around the continent. (Dublin is there major hub.) They recently partnered with Jetblue and now you can book via them or Aer Lingus for continuing destinations in the states. Around Europe, they offer no fare flights to and from Ireland. I’m still not sure how they make any money this way but I’ll take it while the taking is good.

The flight over was a lot better than my last flight to Europe. Sadly, this plane didn’t have any personal viewing screens, a necessity in my view on overseas flight,though I would like to see them on all flights no matter the distance. No personal screens are a sure sign of an old plane and, as you can probably tell from the pictures, this was an old plane. I don’t hold this against Aer Lingus like I do Air Canada though. Whereas Air Canada is a major carrier, Aer Lingus is “low cost” meaning amenities are few and far between. I except perks from a big name when a pay a big price but, from an LCC, I expect a cheap ticket and just a seat. Getting cheap flights to Europe, especially London, during the summer, is always hard. The next cheapest ticket was over $500 dollars one way. Round trips can run over $1000 dollars but are generally around 800+.

The staff was really friendly and all smiles. Plus, they had those amazing Irish accents and how can you not like someone with an accent as wonderful as that?! You just can’t. Moreover, no one woke me up when I went to bed and I hate being woken up to “would you like any coffee?” Now, if I wanted coffee, I wouldn’t be sleeping, but I digress. The food was average. Typical airline fare. I had some chicken and veggies that were passable. Again, I wouldn’t expect gourmet food on a flight like this. It’s nothing bad but it’s not really anything good either. I did have a lot of legroom. I’m not a giant so usually do have room but I found that there seemed more than normal.

Overall, Aer Lingus isn’t bad. I’ve had more luxurious flights but, for the price you pay, Aer Lingus is the best offer around. I would fly them again and would suggest them to other people, especially if the lowest price was all that mattered to you.

Have you flown Aer Lingus? What are your thoughts?

Posted by NomadicMatt | Filed Under Airlines | 7 Comments

Airline Review: Air Canada

May 4, 2008

On my recent experience flying the friendly skies, I was lucky enough to be on Air Canada. If you haven’t ever flown Air Canada, you aren’t really missing much. I’ve flown a lot of airlines and I always try to find a new one to experience. Prior to this experience, I’d flown Air Canada once to Vancouver but that was some years ago.

So since they were also the cheapest way to get to London, I decided it was time to try the airline again. I can’t say they are the worst airline I’ve ever flown but certainly not the best. My trip didn’t get off to a good start by getting stuck on the runway for an extra hour out of Boston. Connecting into Montreal, I encountered some pretty rude Quebecians at the airport, though that wasn’t really the fault of Air Canada….more the fault of Quebec!

When I boarded the plane, I asked the woman what the food was and she screamed she didn’t know and she was busy so she’d have to tell me later. Whoah! I get that you are busy but you don’t have to scream. I figured it would be something she might know off he top of her head. Guess not.

Then I was struck with the most absolute horror one can experience on a long haul flight- no personal video monitor. That’s right! Air Canada is operating planes that don’t have the personal video monitor and only plays movie on the big screen that’s too far away for you to see anyways. I wanted to get off the plane right there! Luckily, it was a night flight, and I was going to sleep anyways. And as for that dinner- it was some chicken dish that didn’t really taste like chicken.

The flight home was not any better. The airplane still had no personal video monitor, they only played 2 movies on an 8 hour flight (and they cut the last one 30 minutes short!), and the mystery chicken was back, except this time with mystery rice pilaf. The stewardesses, though, were slightly friendlier than the previous flight.

To me though, the deal breaker is the video monitor. If I can’t choose between movies and TV on my flight, I’d rather not fly, especially on those long haul flights. I mean how archaic! Every plane has the video monitor! It’s just expected now and for me, a big reason why I wouldn’t fly Air Canada again. A stewardess did say they were upgrading a lot of their planes and by mid-summer most airplanes would have the head screen. I guess that is something positive to look forward too.

I was pretty much ready to write of Air Canada, especially when we again had to spend 40 minutes holding in the sky before we could land, but then, like a ray light guiding me from the darkness, I saw it: the plane that would take me home. This little plane, the 50 seater that airlines use for short hauls, was a god sent. Inside was nothing special. Typical seats and setup but there were head screens and I got snacks and beverages. The stewardesses were super friendly and we ended up chatting for a while after the flight ended. I was amazed that on my 1:29 hour flight, I got so much. It was like flying JetBlue! After flying for 12 hours, I totally needed it.

It makes me wonder though about the rational of Air Canada execs. Why upgrade a short haul plane before a longer haul plane, where you make more money. Wouldn’t you want to appease those customers since they are your bread and butter. I don’t totally hate Air Canada anymore but I’m not so sure I’d consider them when flying overseas anymore.

Overall, considering the future plane upgrades, I’d give Air Canada an average rating of three stars. They aren’t the worst airline I have flown but there is certainly better out there. Next time, I’ll probably fly Virgin.

What are your airline stories? Any you really like or dislike?

Posted by NomadicMatt | Filed Under Airlines | 5 Comments

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