beachgirl86

Hi everyone,
I have been watching this flight (non-stop) from Boston to Shannon, Ireland for a few months on American Airlines website. It is only $188 before taxes ($260 after taxes), which seems to be SUPER cheap for a flight from BOS-SNN, non-stop. Is the weather just so bad in Ireland in February?? Anyways, I'm thinking about booking it, it is just so low that it makes me wonder why.

rex

Similar "shortest" trans-atlantic routes (NYC and BOS to LON, Manchester and Ireland) have all gotten that cheap for more winters than I can remember. They (the competing airlines) just all bruise each other up silly with these low fares.

They price it that way because they (feel they) must (supply). They operate the route, because they can (demand).

Best wishes,

Rex

Ardfert

The average temp in Shannon in Feb is 40F,a lot milder than Boston.The days however are short-about 9 to 5.Rainfall occurs for 9% of the time and while this is usually for a few hours you can be unlucky enough to get a day or two of heavy rain.Strong winds of 40-60 miles an hour-rarely more than that-are quite common. Despite the weather many people will be visiting Cliffs of Moher,Killarney and Dingle in February.Snow is quite unlikely to occur but it occasionally appears for a day or so. I was in Killarney after Chritmas once and there was beautiful snow on the mountains.I like Killarney at any time of the year.Just for comparison the day in June is 6am to 10pm and temp average is 60F.A new feature in Shannon now is very cheap flights to many places in Europe-see www.ryanair.com for details.For those from Europe going to the U.S. it may be worth noting that you can clear American immigration in Shannon or Dublin

beachgirl86

Rex and Ardfert: Thank you both for the useful information.

I am not sure if I will book this fare, but I am thinking seriously about it. I would go for 5 or 6 nights, and am wondering what would be the best sights to see in Shannon for that amount of time. Any suggestions for a short trip like this? Thanks

Gardyloo

Yes, the weather is lousy.

Yes, it's a great deal. Just flew it last week and it was fine, although AA uses a 757 (aka "slave ship&quot on the route with pretty cramped conditions in the back. It's run as a coach-only flight even though the plane has first class (well, by AA 757 standards) seats in the front, which "elite" members of AA's FF program can book, or which the proletariat can "upgrade" into for €150 at the gate (at SNN, not sure about BOS.) Same service, but your tush is way happier for 6 hours.

AA is following Continental's lead in opening routes to smaller cities in the British Isles that can be reached with the cheaper-to-run, smaller 757 than the wide-bodies used to London or beyond. Thus CO serves SNN, Edinburgh and other places, and AA is about to start JFK-Newcastle as well as Shannon.

I'll soon be adding a SNN-BOS flight report to my existing blog/site covering our RTW trip; ground bits are already up - http://home.comcast.net/~gardyloo2

metlc

It's cheap because it's not an attractive destination at that time.

You should check out Aer Lingus' fares for the same routes. They tend to be (almost) that inexpensive during more civilized times of the year. I'm seeing $260 after taxes (each way) for LAX-Shannon -- in October.

NEDSIRELAND

We took advantage of those 'lowball' fares Feb'03 (Thu-Tue) and actually returned the firsr or second of Mar: arr. Fri AM and caught a bus to Ennis where we had reservations at Rose Cottage B&B. Carmel Daniels checked us in around 09:30 so we couldf take a nap to get over jetlag.

I was glad we were not driving: although morning temperatures were 2 or 3 degrees Celsius (mid 30's) there was a lot of frost on the roads until about 09:30.

Sat. we took a bus to Galway and spent the day touring & shopping. Sun. we walked up to Ss. Peter & Paul Cathedral for 11:00 AM Mass, had lunch at the Queen's Hotel and went next door to Cruises Restaurant & Pub where an impromptu (pick-up) Trad Irish music session was just getting under way. We stayed for a few hours until the music 'wrapped up.' Mon. we caught BusEireann over to Lahinch - more shopping: the ITB store had 30% off everything. Tue. we caught an early bus to Shannon (to get our VAT refunds) and a flight home.

The trip was well worth the time & cost! Go for it!

metellus

It's cheap because it's a new route that AA has just started this May. They are desperately trying to get it established.

Holldoll

We went at the end of Feb, returning like March 5, and though it was chilly (30s and 40s) we had an entire week of sunshine--one hour of rain all week. I always say you don't to go Ireland for the weather, so a jacket is a must anyway. The days were a lot longer than when we went in November. In late Feb. it didn't get dark till after 6 p.m. The prices for lodging, etc., were substantially cheaper and there were no tourists. I'd definitely go at that time of year again!

beachgirl86

Thanks for the responses and tips....I am thinking very seriously about taking advantage of this low fare.

AnnieP

Beachgirl what area would you be thinking of when you get there? I come from right outside Shannon and I cant even think of someplace that would be nice around there in February. The coastal areas will most likely be damp and cold with most things closed up. If you really feel like taking the chance and going, the only way I can imagine it being a fun trip is if you find a really cosy (or expensive) place to stay and decide that you will spend your nights cuddled up by a warm fire in a pub somewhere. Actually, check out Dromoland Castle or someplace in Bunratty and see if they have any good deals for around that time. Otherwise, I would guide you more to Dublin, which is a busy city. Did you check out the Bos/Dublin route?

AnnieP

NedsIreland is completely right. Ennis and Galway would have something going on, you would find good trad music in the bars up around that area anyway. You would be able to fill the 5 or 6 days if you wanted to spend a night in Bunratty (very near Shannon) they have some nice restaurants and bars there now, the Folk Park & Castle are also probably open - touristy area but not in February. Durty Nellies pub and restaurant is there too and you might like it. Then go onto Ennis and Galway. Galway has some lovely hotels and is a big college town so always lively.

Holldoll

You could certainly spend a night or two in Connemara--Clifden (Abbeyglen Castle has fabulous rates that time of year). The terrain alone is wonderful to see; nice drives to Roundstone, Cleggan, Leenane, the Sky Road, Renvyle Peninsula. etc. Everything in Clifden was open, as well as most other towns we visited. I guess some B&Bs were closed, but we stayed at Abbeyglen as a base.

pjsparlor

I jumped on the fare from Chicago to Shannon in January! It was 218 before taxes. So this thread is interesting. We are thinking of staying at the GlenAbbey. I agree with the poster who said you do not go to Ireland for the weather! So I am taking my chances. This thread has given me some ideas on what to do. Thank you Patti

pjsparlor

I made a mistake, we are thinking of staying at the Glenlo Abbey in Galway.

Jenski

Keep in mind that it will get dark really early. Ireland is very far north and although I haven't been there in the winter, I can tell that due to how late the summer sets in the summer, it must set early in the winter. I'm guessing it'll be dark by 4PM.

indytravel

I checked www.sunrisesunset.com. The daylight hours aren't that bad for February 1st:

Twilight: 7:30am
Sun Rise: 8:07am
Sun Set: 5:07pm
Twilight: 5:44pm

aschie30

It's cheap because this American just started this route and these are essentially introductory fares.

Ardfert

I stayed in Dromoland Castle 8 miles from Shannon Airport in February a few years ago and really enjoyed it. It is a very upmarket hotel and very expensive at weekends all year round.However midweek breaks in winter can be good value. President Bush stayed here a few years ago.See the website at www.dromoland.ie