Spend $500 for a one way upgrade to business on Air Lingus Bos to Dublin?
Oct 23rd, 2012, 01:53 PM
#1
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Spend $500 for a one way upgrade to business on Air Lingus Bos to Dublin?
I have never flown Air Lingus and have read reviews of small uncomfortable seats. If you have flown this airline would you upgrade? Posting here instead of Airlines hoping for more comments.
Oct 23rd, 2012, 02:01 PM
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Flew Boston/Shannon year ago in economy -- seemed like normal ssats as I was also concerned. I remember being pleasantly surprised -- think it was just two abreast, aisle/window so husband and I could put up the arm rest. Enjoy Ireland!
Oct 23rd, 2012, 02:43 PM
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I have flown Aer Lingus on two occasions...didn't feel uncomfortable in any way. Totally unnecessary expenditure in my opinion. One thing I can say...you will enjoy Ireland if you love scenery, friendly folks, good humor and great pubs.
I call it the kind of place where you ask directions even if you know the way.
I call it the kind of place where you ask directions even if you know the way.
Oct 23rd, 2012, 03:07 PM
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We've never flown Aer Lingus from the US so can't answer about that airline's seats. We have always flown coach (usually on AA) on 10-hour+ flights to Europe but recently upgraded with frequent flyer miles to business on a flight to London. We had more legroom and better food but we didn't arrive any sooner, nor were the seats themselves more comfortable than coach. I would never pay $500 extra for business, and I won't spend more miles to fly business.
Oct 23rd, 2012, 04:17 PM
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Thank you for the reinforcement! I would have done it in a flash if it were both ways. It was a moment of temptation after reading bad reviews of Air Lingus.
tower, I am going to Rome from Dublin but back to Kerry for a wedding. <you will enjoy Ireland if you love scenery, friendly folks, good humor and great pubs.> I will have to go back to give justice to my great grandparents homeland.
tower, I am going to Rome from Dublin but back to Kerry for a wedding. <you will enjoy Ireland if you love scenery, friendly folks, good humor and great pubs.> I will have to go back to give justice to my great grandparents homeland.
Oct 23rd, 2012, 04:19 PM
#7
I don't care how long the ride is..if you absolutely cannot sleep sitting up and you think this is a great deal then compare it to the regular price of a business class seat and perhaps spring for it. BTW are those bus class seats much better as in do they recline enough to make it worthwhile? Melatonin is a lot cheaper.
Oct 23rd, 2012, 04:38 PM
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Nope, can't sleep sitting up. The online pix of the seat looks wonderful. They are flat. That's why I was tempted. It's
about $100/hour if I break it down. As I said, for round trip it's a no brainer. And I take melatonin every night and it's not working for me.
about $100/hour if I break it down. As I said, for round trip it's a no brainer. And I take melatonin every night and it's not working for me.
Oct 23rd, 2012, 05:02 PM
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I have flown Aer Lingus twice in economy. The seats were perfectly fine and I really enjoyed having the individual screen at my seat to watch movies and TV programs. It's a short flight to begin with and I felt that the time just flew by.
No, I would not pay $500 for a one-way upgrade.
No, I would not pay $500 for a one-way upgrade.
Oct 24th, 2012, 04:09 AM
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I'm going to buck the trend on this one and say go for it. I've flown business class on quite a few transatlantic flights, and the difference on a decent airline is worth it in my opinion.
For me, the length of the flight makes no difference, as I'm so much more comfortable and relaxed on arrival at my destination (I'm 6'3, so whilst no giant, economy and even premium economy on some airlines can be a squeeze) that I usually snap up any upgrades at around this sort of price (about £300) as the difference it makes to my journey is enormous.
It's also not just about the seat as (again on a decent airline) the choice of food -and more importantly choice, quality and frequency of the free booze - make it worthwhile.
The last time I was selected for an unrequested upgrade to business class on BA, the amount of wine and champagne I sunk (it just so happened that I'd selected the hostess' favourite from the wine list, so she was happy to keep me topped up) would easily have put a dent into any additional I might have paid.
I think that if $500 sounds like a reasonable amount to you, go for it.
For me, the length of the flight makes no difference, as I'm so much more comfortable and relaxed on arrival at my destination (I'm 6'3, so whilst no giant, economy and even premium economy on some airlines can be a squeeze) that I usually snap up any upgrades at around this sort of price (about £300) as the difference it makes to my journey is enormous.
It's also not just about the seat as (again on a decent airline) the choice of food -and more importantly choice, quality and frequency of the free booze - make it worthwhile.
The last time I was selected for an unrequested upgrade to business class on BA, the amount of wine and champagne I sunk (it just so happened that I'd selected the hostess' favourite from the wine list, so she was happy to keep me topped up) would easily have put a dent into any additional I might have paid.
I think that if $500 sounds like a reasonable amount to you, go for it.
Oct 24th, 2012, 06:08 AM
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Just thought of another benefit.
When you fly business class the check-in staff will usually attach a 'Priority' label to your checked luggage, meaning it'll come out among the first batch of luggage on the carousels at the other end.
If you save this tag and attach it every time you fly with the same airline, your luggage will still get priority treatment (even if you're flying on the cheapest non-refundable economy ticket) and you may (and I stress the may) be more likely to be upgraded (as has happened to me) as the check-in staff will note that you've flown with them in a higher class previously and can earmark you for upgrade.
When you fly business class the check-in staff will usually attach a 'Priority' label to your checked luggage, meaning it'll come out among the first batch of luggage on the carousels at the other end.
If you save this tag and attach it every time you fly with the same airline, your luggage will still get priority treatment (even if you're flying on the cheapest non-refundable economy ticket) and you may (and I stress the may) be more likely to be upgraded (as has happened to me) as the check-in staff will note that you've flown with them in a higher class previously and can earmark you for upgrade.
Oct 24th, 2012, 10:51 AM
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I've no experience of Aer Lingus in particular, but I have flown long haul on economy and business class many dozens of times. But I do feel obliged to comment on the recklessly irresponsible suggestion (frequently made on this forum) that you should knock yourself out with sleeping tablets. I used to do the same until one time I had a severe adverse reaction at 38000ft over Africa and ended up unconscious in the aeroplane's galley with an oxygen mask over my face. To make matters worse I also threw up all over the toilet cubicle, and only just recovered in time to prevent the plane being diverted in order to give me urgent medical attention.
I never touch them now and still manage to catnap on planes. As millions of fellow insomniacs will attest, your body can manage without a good night's sleep once in a while - it won't kill you, but a bad reaction to powerful drugs can have severe repercussions.
I never touch them now and still manage to catnap on planes. As millions of fellow insomniacs will attest, your body can manage without a good night's sleep once in a while - it won't kill you, but a bad reaction to powerful drugs can have severe repercussions.
Oct 24th, 2012, 01:10 PM
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I flew Aer Lingus nonstop SFO to Dublin - and I didn't find the seats uncomfortable and the inseat entertainment in coach was good too. So, no I wouldn't pay it.
It was all going great until the women of a drunk and very randy couple in front of me spilled her entire drink in her chair shorting out my in seat entertainment for the rest of the flight! I will never forget that older couple and the things they did on that flight. While some of it was shockingly funny, shorting out my entertainment was unforgivable!
It was all going great until the women of a drunk and very randy couple in front of me spilled her entire drink in her chair shorting out my in seat entertainment for the rest of the flight! I will never forget that older couple and the things they did on that flight. While some of it was shockingly funny, shorting out my entertainment was unforgivable!
