Second time…
Back to Forum- This topic has 5 replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 25 Sep 2012
at 07:49 by TominScotland.
-
- Author
- Posts
- Skip to last reply Create Topic
-
ShearerParticipantSome pics of the lounge and all about Aer Lingus Regional.
But first, Dublin Airport Security.
Ryanair has been vociferious in its criticism of the airport, and I think I saw why yesterday.
I checked in for my Aer Arann Regional flight to Southend.
I went to security at 4.00pm. At 4.15pm I reached the boarding card scan. Unlike at Gatwick, these were self service machines with a few staff on hand to deal with problems. Of which there were many as the bar codes seemed to bamboozle the er, bar code readers.I eventually got through and joined a massive queue for security. Our of 14 lanes, 3 were open.
After a further 10 minutes 3 more lanes were opened. But there were hundreds of people waiting. It didn’t help that the scanners seemed to beep for everyone. But not me. y)I made a beeline to the Aer Lingus Lounge. This is actually located in Terminal 2 but is a quick walk from T1, and accessible after security. And it’s a lovely lounge!
View from the walk to the lounge
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8452/8015771703_c4b00ffa3a.jpg
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8299/8015773202_db2396b80f.jpg
And the lounge itself…
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8315/8015777302_27bf834e8e.jpg
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8455/8015777818_ce76da4ce8.jpg
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8036/8015774346_2179498757.jpg
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8179/8015779521_f2eeb7f1dc.jpg
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8458/8015780225_94fe83fca7.jpg
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8295/8015781487_853a8c1177.jpg
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8437/8015780913_23ec091c6c.jpg
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8179/8015783062_2e6bc5237d.jpg
The lounge had a wide selection of sandwiches, rolls, (all prepacked); scones, wheaten bread, biscuits, pastries, wines and spirits and soft drinks. And free use of Samsung tablets, which I pottered on for a bit and put down, not really understanding them. I’m not a luddite, I just found using them a bit weird and went over to the desktop computers instead.
And the view from the lounge was lovely.
If you like planes. 🙂
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8171/8015778310_df7c2f46c0.jpg
Before long, I headed to gate 219, for a short wait before boarding the bus out to the Aer Lingus Regional ‘plane.
The bus passed 4 grounded WindJet aircraft. Not sure how they ended up in Dublin!http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8451/8015785807_c488ff8931.jpg
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8169/8015782715_c0c39ca0e7.jpg
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8319/8015787992_5ce8502d91.jpg
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8182/8015788596_aa5e69bbe1.jpg
There were 12 people on the bus, so I assumed they would do another run, but no, 12 passengers was the load tonight.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8176/8015792758_10493bd12b.jpg
Just one cabin crew, reminiscent of Loganair flights of years gone by, but still one more than I had on Manx2 from Angelsey last year!
The flight landed early, and Southend Airport, being brand new, was lovely.
There were no other aircraft about yet we landed at the far end of the airport, walking back to the terminal building. I suppose that was so the luggage didn’t arrive first. Anyway, the staff at Southend were great, and in four minutes I was on the platform at Southend Airport station for my train to London.
Aer Lingus were great, Aer Lingus Regional fun, and Southend Airport was a breath of fresh air.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8171/8015793556_30c67a56e1.jpg
24 Sep 2012
at 21:16
Deleted_UserParticipantGood evening NIRscot
I too did the status match from bmi to Aer Lingus Gold, but I still have to visit one of their lounges.
I see a BA aircraft in the dove livery in one of your photos!
Very interesting that you spotted WindJet aircraft. It only ceased operations last month.
24 Sep 2012
at 21:51
Deleted_UserParticipantAs it’s a relatively new route, I’m not too surprised.
What about transfer times to Central London? I suppose they compare favourably with other London airports?
As a passenger, I love it when a plane is half empty/full. I think airlines might disagree…
24 Sep 2012
at 22:26
TominScotlandParticipantThanks for the, as ever, great review and wonderful pictures, NIRScot.
I also obtained the status match with my bmi Gold card and have used the Dublin Lounge – the sense of space by the huge windows is amazing. The food is not bad – depends on the time of day, really. My Irish wife, who makes great use of the complementary Gold card that comes with my Elite card, swears by the Tayto crisps as a throw-back to her childhood.
The other real plus with Elite membership is the four free up-grade vouchers – I plan to make use of them soon for a trip to New York.
25 Sep 2012
at 07:49 -
AuthorPosts