I can get a relatively good rate for July through AerLingus from Chicago to Dublin. Then I found I can book...what seems to me...good rates to other places in Europe. In particular to Bologna Italy.

Has anyone booked this way? If so, Any pros and cons to this? I haven't called them directly, just looked on the internet. Any thoughts on this would be appreciated.

barbmc

I always book flights online, so far this year i've booked Amsterdam Italy and Paris, I never phone, I always book on the Aer Lingus site, when you get good fares, you have to book them almost there and then, otherwise they go quickly. Aer Lingus have whats called " seat sales" about 4 times a year, so maybe thats how you have got such good rates.

Sorry I forgot to answer the rest of your question, regarding pro's and cons. I've never had a problem with online bookings

I find the chapest way to get to europe first. Then I worry about where I want to go after I purchase my transatlantic flights. I will be doing it this way in may. I have saved $200 by doing it this way and get to see some other countries on planned stopovers. For me its a win win. For someone else they might want a direct flight and pay $1000's more! not for me. Each flight segment is an oppertunity. Did this answer your question? Use Whichbudge or Ryanair or others to get around-often cheaper than train, or car rental.

I flew Aer Lingus from Dublin to Munich.
No problems at all.
Better than most US airlines.

As a joke, the Irish call it Air Fungus.
I was a little concerned when I heard that term, but not to worry. Just the Irish sense of humor, which can cut as well as amuse. I must admit, when it comes to oral use of the English language, the Irish have their way and it pushes me to keep up mentally.

So, Aer Lingus was quite satisfactory.
I would be willing to try it again.
The same is true of EasyJet. Its no frills, but if you cannot tag your own luggage and find a seat in an airlplane, I think you should stay home.

Hopefully you know where you are going so that you get the baggage tag right!!

Just got back from 8 days in Ireland. We flew LAX to Dublin and then Shannon to LAX.

Decent airline, no problems. The flight crew seems a bit strict but other than that it was probably the most we've been fed on any airline.

AirLingus are great and booking on line is the way to go nowadays. I don't see anything to be afraid of.

Last year we flew Continental into Dublin and out of Madrid. We got great rates on Aer Lingus from Dublin to Malaga Spain, where we started our travels in Spain. This year, I got a good rate into Dublin (Continental) and then a great rate from Dublin to Dubrovnik on Aer Lingus. They do seem to have good fares and seemed like a class operation

I've been thinking about doing this and combining aer lingus with another budget airline, perhaps easyjet. We want to fly BOS and go to Paris then Rome. The cheapest way to do this seems to be BOS to DUB then DUB to either CDG with aerlingus or bva with ryanair then easyjet from ORY to Rome, then possibly aerlingus from rome to dublin. I would do my last night in Dublin. I hope to do this in the fall of 07, a long time off.