Transatlantic Aerlingus flights

Originally Posted by theworm2345

I'm 6'4'', would I be able to fit?

Also, I bet the length of the flight has something to do with the entertainment.

If you don't have a bulkhead seat you'll be very, very uncomfortable (I'm a similar height and I dread long flights).

I believe you can pay for the seats on Aer Lingus, well worth it.

All the US carriers keep them for frequently fliers and occasionally tall people.

Originally Posted by Real ale Madrid

I just booked a return flight to Toronto with airtransat. Too late to change it anyway but does anyone have experience flying with this lot? Entertainment, Leg room etc?

Sorry RAM, but my experience with this lot ( same route as you ) was the worst I have ever had!!!! The aircraft ( all old planes ) was boiling hot as the air con didn't function correctly except at the rear.The staff on board were horrendous ( French/Canadian with abundance of arrogance )....we pre-ordered a vegetarian meal for my wife which never arrived, and when I asked what could she eat during the seven hours, they suggested taking the ham out of a "Ham roll"!

On the return flight we arrived at Toronto Airport 4 hours before take-off to try to ensure we were at the cooler rear end of the plane.However, when we boarded and looked for Row 32 ( as stated on our Boarding Cards ) but were amazed to find that the Rows stopped at 29!! They apparently changed the aircraft type at the last moment, without notifying the check-in staff, and the cabin staff said we should try and find any spare seat as several people would have to get off!!!!

Good luck my friend!!!

Originally Posted by Sligo Hornet

Sorry RAM, but my experience with this lot ( same route as you ) was the worst I have ever had!!!! The aircraft ( all old planes ) was boiling hot as the air con didn't function correctly except at the rear.The staff on board were horrendous ( French/Canadian with abundance of arrogance )....we pre-ordered a vegetarian meal for my wife which never arrived, and when I asked what could she eat during the seven hours, they suggested taking the ham out of a "Ham roll"!:

On the return flight we arrived at Toronto Airport 4 hours before take-off to try to ensure we were at the cooler rear end of the plane.However, when we boarded and looked for Row 32 ( as stated on our Boarding Cards ) but were amazed to find that the Rows stopped at 29!! They apparently changed the aircraft type at the last moment, without notifying the check-in staff, and the cabin staff said we should try and find any spare seat as several people would have to get off!!!!

Good luck my friend!!!

I had to ask didn't I

Ah well at least i'll be travelling on my own so i'll be the only one subjected to the torture. only €430 all in inc return flights to from Gatwick so at least its cheap.

just back from flying virgin transatlantic its like the aerlingus airbus but with more legroom. Do they have games on the aer lingus one?

Originally Posted by paul_oshea

just back from flying virgin transatlantic its like the aerlingus airbus but with more legroom. Do they have games on the aer lingus one?

Yes....."Hide and Seek" and "Pass the Parcel"........only way they can make the food go around!

Originally Posted by paul_oshea

just back from flying virgin transatlantic its like the aerlingus airbus but with more legroom. Do they have games on the aer lingus one?

When I flew VirginTransatlantic it was on a 747. Have they switched to the Airbus.

Originally Posted by onceahoop

When I flew VirginTransatlantic it was on a 747. Have they switched to the Airbus.

The have both now.

Replacing the 747s with Airbus A340s and eventually the A380.

A340

thats the one i was on.

Used Delta for my JFK-SNN weekend trip and had an excellent trip with them. I must say I was pleasantly surprised, a much better service compared to Aer Lingus IMO e.g. better food, better organized. Also better time of flight imo as we arrived in NY around 11am when JFK is much less busier and baggage comes out faster as opposed to 4pm-ish . One downfall is the Delta terminal at JFK is in need of some serious remodeling.

Originally Posted by dancinpants

They didn't in May....so don't be getting your hopes up.

Just back from LA with Aer Lingus and surprise surprise thay did have the seat back entertainment systems. On the outbound flight we had the older airbus which had the seat back system with movies,tv and a few games but on the way back we had one of the new planes,which had an excellent selection of movies, tv and games(which could all be paused when required and watched whenever you wanted).Also great leg room compared to the older planes. At long last Aer Lingus are updating their fleet and they are well worth travelling with if you get one of these new planes as it makes a big difference on a long flight

Virgin Atlantic are quality, never had a bad flight with them


I like flying BA as well but London is a disaster. I'll take the little bit of discomfort in exchange for a shorter journey and immigration finished before you step on the plane

The free booze is a huge plus too

Originally Posted by Soko

free booze

Oh yeah! Gives a good run to cellar door as the sweetest two words in the English language to juxtapose.

I love a drink as much as the next man but haven't touched a drink on a long-haul flight for at least 5 years and it helps me feel fresher when I arrive.

Bearing in mind the increased dehydrating impact because of the oxygen, drinking a lot on a plane isn't good for your body at all.

Originally Posted by OneRedArmy

I love a drink as much as the next man but haven't touched a drink on a long-haul flight for at least 5 years and it helps me feel fresher when I arrive.

Bearing in mind the increased dehydrating impact because of the oxygen, drinking a lot on a plane isn't good for your body at all.

I don't think many people drink that much on long haul flights. Most people would have a few drinks with meal or maybe at the start.

OneRedArmy is spot on about the science. I think everyone likes a little bit to knock themselves out after the dinner though.

Soko said the free booze was great cos he lines his bags with it to take home.

Aer Lingus have a good trans-Atlantic offering as far as I know. They have PTVs on the New York flights and are in the process of upgrading their remaining trans Atlantic fleet.

I'm flying out with Delta on the 19th. No personal Tvs or anything.

It's unpredictable even within an airline on long haul flights, not just AL, I'd say. I've flown SAA a few times to Johannesburg and Cape Town on an A340-600 and 747s and the experience varies for leg room particularly.

Upstairs they offer more leg room on the 747, but pack in sardines below. The 600 is very comfortable throughout for a 13 hour flight though and I'm 6'4 - you needn't even look for bulkhead seats etc. Service very good too..though not necessarily the food

The day AL invests in a A340-600 though....