PatJordan - 08/09/2011 09:18 GMT
DUB-CDG
Booking and check in
www.aerlingus.com is an easy site to navigate and selecting flights for my preferred dates was no trouble. It is possible to select seats at time of booking (5euro for most seats), and if within 30 days of travel, one can check in and print boarding passes there and then. When travelling with hand baggage only this is a very useful facility and well worth the cost. The benefits this for passengers with checked in baggage is that instead of facing a lengthy queue for check in, one can proceed to the bag drop off desk where there is a much shorter wait.
I arrived at Terminal 2 just after 3pm for my 6.10pm flight and was delighted to find only a short wait for bag drop off. Terminal 2 is new, bright and spacious, and the security area is no exception. I was airside within a few minutes. There is rarely a queue at T2 security. However Dublin Airport have introduced a new membership club targeted at frequent flyers which allows use of the fast track security queue in both terminals. Discounted access to the excellent DAA lounges in included, and in elite tiers, discounted shopping and eating in Dublin Airport. This is a worthwhile new initiative, for further details visit www.airportclub.ie
Airside, there is a good range of shops and cafes where my wife and I whiled away a short time before proceeding to the DAA Lounge
Lounge (Dublin)
Aer Lingus recently opened a new lounge, having previously shared the Dublin Airport Authority lounge. However, on this occasion, we used the DAA lounge. This is quite new, and is bright, spacious with good views of the apron.
There is a good range of snacks:
• Biscuits
• Crackers
• Cheese
• Brown bread
• Hot soup
• Crisps
• Fruit
A full bar service is available with good quality coffee on offer.
There is a business area for those who wish to work, and a good selection of newspapers and magazines.
Boarding
Boarding gates are adjacent to the lounge. Boarding is through an airbridge and rearmost rows are called first to minimize delays. The gate was almost beside the lounge, so we didn’t have far to walk.
The Airbus 320 was immaculate and cabin crew warmly welcomed passengers.
All Aer Lingus short haul flights are economy and seats configured 3-3. Seats are upholstered in navy leather, have adjustable headrests and are adequate for a short flight.
Inflight
The Captain gave a brief welcome and details of flight times, followed by a safety announcement from the cabin crew, in both English and French. The door closed at 6.00pm, pushed back quickly and were airborne at 6.10pm. The expected flight time was an hour and 25 minutes.
There is the option to buy snacks and drinks from the “SkyCafe” and I enjoted a toasted ham & cheese sandwich and red wine.
We landed at 8.20pm (local time) and deplaned quickly.
Baggage collection
The baggage collection area is well signposted in CDG T1, and particularly helpful is the monitors which indicate the precise time when the bags will be available. As it turned out, our bag was delivered at 8.50pm, which was ahead of the scheduled landing time (8.55pm)!
Return Check in and security
Having our boarding passes already printed we went to the desk which doubles as Check-in and bag drop off. The departure time was 9.35pm, but the desks didn’t open until 6.55pm. Once opened, it took scarcely a minute to drop off our bag, and we proceeded to passport control where we were delighted to find absolutely nobody waiting. After a wander around the duty free area, we decided to indulge ourselves and visit the lounge, Salon Icare. This is situated near the duty free area, but before security. One has to allow time to get from the lounge, pass through security and get to the boarding area.
Salon Icare is open to the public for a charge of 30euro. The very friendly gentleman at reception explored every possibility to avoid our having to pay, but none of my airline ffp cards covered this lounge. A very nice gesture, nonetheless. Oncehad we been welcomed into the lounge we were offered champagne, which we gratefully accepted. Wines, spirits and champagne are on offer, but are served by the staff. Soft drinks and beers are self service.
There is a limited range of food on offer: a few sandwiches, biscuits and crisps.
The lounge is quite pleasant and coupled with the very friendly staff is a very nice place to await a flight, and well worth the access fee.
Boarding
Again, the rearmost rows were called first. Our seats 7D &E meant that we were amongst the last to board. As usual we were warmly welcomed by cabin crew. As before, the safety briefing was bilingual, as were subsequent announcements regarding turbulence.
Inflight
Once again, I enjoyed a snack and glass of wine from the skycafe. Cabin crew were very friendly throughout the flight.
Pushback was 9.35pm, and we were airborne at 9.40pm. There was some headwind, and we landed just before 10.20pm. There was a short walk to passport control, where there was a small queue, and we were in the baggage hall by 10.30pm. Our bag was delivered shortly afterwards.
Conclusion
A very impressive return flight. Excellent service, punctuality and good baggage delivery. The sole glitch was the short delay in opening the check in desks at Paris CDG. Both flights were approximately 80% loaded.
Well done Aer Lingus
