If cost is a definite issue I would consider the following routing…. Apologies that I don’t have time to check fares, maybe Tim can help….
Firstly keep an eye on FR/EI deals from EDI >DUB>EDI and book separately, you’ve now avoided APD,,,,,,,,
EI from Dublin to LAX or a choice of DL/UA or US to their hubs…..I noticed that you could probably return from Orange County via ORD….
The main benefit I can see is that you’re pre-clearing US customs in Dublin…I would imagine that in these sequestration times , the Christmas period is going to be particularly painful….more travellers travelling and more officers on holiday !!
Cost *is* an issue, as it always is, however the lack of connections would be a bigger incentive for me, even if that means having to fly via LHR.
I am very tempted to do AA on the was out to SFO and BA’s A380 on the way back, both via LHR, this gives me a bit of fun whilst flying – I’ve got AA booked for a business trip in Nov via JFK, quite looking forward to it and if it is half as good as it looks, might be a real winner for all my future transatlantic business.
I’ve read a few reports on Air Lingus but their non-lie-flat just puts me right off, I’ve only done non-lie-flat’s once recently and didn’t sleep a wink.
