Aer Lingus is not only introducing a new fully lie-flat business class seat, but also a totally redesigned business class experience. I had a chance to learn more about the product and test out the new seat at a recent event in the Bay Area and I am very excited about the new service, which will be standard on all U.S. Aer Lingus transatlantic flights by the end of March.
Today marks the launch of the fourth route with the new business class product, leaving only Boston with the old seat:
- Dublin to San Francisco: New Business Class Seat
- Dublin to New York: New Business Class Seat
- Dublin to Chicago: New Business Class Seat
- Dublin to Orlando: New Business Class Seat (starting today)
- Dublin to Boston: New Business Class coming February 27, 2015
Over the month of March, some days will still feature the older seats, but the full transformation will be complete before April.
> Read More: Aer Lingus Business Class A330 Fleet Will Be Fully Lie-Flat by 01 April 2015
Naturally, the new seat is the focal point of the new product and the new business class seat will offer direct aisle access to 90% of passengers and a 6’5″ bed.
But that will not be the only onboard change. We will also see positive upgrades to the ground experience and soft product onboard, reflected nicely on this chart below.
The new business class experience includes (I am just quoting the poster above):
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Check In
- Premium check-in areas available at all airports
- Dublin will also have an exclusive premium entrance hall to speed up your travel
- Every member of our staff has been trained to deal with ticketing and Gold Circle Issues
- Fast-Track security lanes bypass lengthy queues and expedite your trip to the aircraft and the lounge
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Lounge
- Relax in one of our signature lounges in Dublin, Heathrow, Boston, and soon-to-be-open New York
- Lounge access is also available at all US, UK, and European airports for our Business Class guests
- Enjoy complimentary drinks and snacks, as well as free Wi-Fi
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Customs & Boarder Pre-Clearance
- Dublin airport’s pre-clearance means you ‘arrive’ in the US before you even depart Ireland
- No queuing when you get to the states as you arrive as a domestic passenger
- Business Class guests also receive priority boarding for all flights
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Pre-Dine
- Business Class guests can enjoy an exclusive pre-dine service from New York and Boston
- Our pre-dine menu offers a gourmet food selection while you wait for your flight
- Enjoy our Business Class selected red or white wine with your meal
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Inflight
- Fully-flat seat for complete relaxation and the best possible sleep
- The best modern Irish food with the freshest ingredients
- Signature cocktails on arrival on board, with the finest wines and champagne
- Dine early with our express meal service
- Menu and inflight ambience themed to time of day, maximizing your comfort
- Larger, high definition entertainment screens, with increased content.
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Arrival
- Priority baggage delivery
- Refresh yourself on arrival with a shower in the new arrivals lounge
- Have your shirts and suits steam pressed
- Enjoy a coffee, juice and croissant before going to the office
And Wi-Fi was not even mentioned above, but will be available on each aircraft and complimentary for business class passengers.
The event was hosted by Aer Lingus and included some delicious Irish food that will be featured onboard — I just love Irish butter and cheese:
With the next several months of my schedule already earmarked, I will not be trying the Aer Lingus product till September (only 25K Avios between Boston and Dublin in business class through 30 April 2015) but cannot wait to test drive this upgraded product! Thankfully, the inevitable merger with British Airways will not result in any changes to the product…at least for the foreseeable future.
> Read More: IAG Group Moves Closer to Aer Lingus Acquisition
Great recap. Does “standard on all Aer Lingus transatlantic flights by the end of March” include their YYZ flight?
What is the availability like from SFO? 50,000 Avios seems like a reasonable redemption with the new product. Thanks!
While I am excited for this product change and think they are really stepping up their game overall, I have to comment on that seat on the right. Is it just me or is it already looking worse for wear, before installation even with the skewed headrest and the seam popping out through the fold at the knees?
Does DUB pre-clearance have Global Entry?
@David: Yes
@Soltatio: I hope that is not the case — these are the show chairs, which from my experience in the airline seat industry, are often made with different material, padding and fabric. Even though they resemble exactly what the “real” seats look like, they are actually just copies.
@JPGISBD: Availability is terrible out of SFO in business. Quite frankly, it is terrible from all destinations in business — but it comes and goes and spurts. About three weeks ago there was a three-day period in which there was excellent availability, then it all dried up and has not returned since. Just keep an eye out for space using ExpertFlyer or united.com.
@TORONTO: I’ve reached out to AerLingus, but I believe the answer is no, since the YYZ flight is operated by a 757 operated by Air Contractors.
Thanks for the report. I’m looking forward to flying this product DUB-ORD next month.
IAG’s (read BA) takeover of Aer Lingus is progessing. Should get Taesoich, Dail OK, and hence EU approval. IAG is best suited culturally, operationally and the brand will stay. Any takeover was fraught with sensitive politics and IAG’s Willie Walsh understands this. RyanAir’s CEO wanted to divest the Irish Republic of its full service flag carrier and yank J seats, install pay to ‘P’ toilets for a 21st century version of an long-haul ‘Slaver’ in the sky. Mercifully he was rejected. Other candidates who sought Aer Lingus were Gulf carriers. Not a culturally astute mix; e.g. no crosses to be worn by predominately Irish-Catholic cabin crew. They wanted to rid the brand and use their own bread and butter A380s for a lucrative two fer: M.East to Ireland to N.America. The only ‘deal clincher’ they offered was to add a shamrock next to the star inside the crescent. Lufthansa Group has already absorbed more than it needs. The new business model going forward is IAG/LHGroup, i.e. keeping brands, flying flags if not of convenience then of appearance.
Matthew,
I’ll be flying ORD-DUB in late May 2015, do you know anything more about the arrivals lounge in DUB? Do you know when it might open? I haven’t heard any comments as to work being done in the airport or a sneak peek?
Juan