\n\nThree checked bags with a combined weight of up to 150 pounds<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n\nYes<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n\n<\/svg><\/button>Does the airline participate in TSA PreCheck?<\/b><\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n \nYes<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n\nYes<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\nI began my journey in London and was the only passenger in line for the business-class check-in, where I received both my boarding passes and a pass to visit the small Aer Lingus lounge in Heathrow Airport’s (LHR) Terminal 2.<\/p>\n
My flight arrived in Dublin about four hours before my transatlantic connection. Flights to the U.S. operate from a dedicated area of the terminal at Dublin Airport, where passengers undergo security screening and processing by U.S. customs and immigration. Passengers are told to proceed to this area about three hours before their flight departs, but in reality, you can go in anytime (though there are only a few restaurants and shops once you’re through).<\/p>\n\n<\/div>
ERIC ROSEN\/THE POINTS GUY<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nWhile these circumstances can add some time at the beginning of your journey, it means that when you land in the U.S., you can simply collect your bags and either head out of the airport or connect to your onward flight with no further screening.<\/p>\n
I made my way to the very end of the terminal, where I found the 51st & Green lounge, which had only recently reopened after a six-month refurbishment. I had access thanks to my business-class ticket.<\/p>\n
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Although a huge bank of flights on multiple airlines departed throughout the afternoon, the lounge did not feel super crowded. There were plenty of seating options, ranging from cafe-style dining areas and workstations along the windows to booths and banquettes, and lots of low-slung armchairs.<\/p>\n
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At the center of the lounge, the new bar was the focal point thanks to its dramatic design, which resembles a jet engine. There, travelers could order a freshly pulled pint of Guinness along with plenty of other complimentary alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks.<\/p>\n
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There was a small buffet with both hot and cold dishes, including Malaysian beef curry, chicken fricassee, mashed potatoes, finger sandwiches and make-your-own salads.<\/p>\n
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Wi-Fi was fast and free, and I was able to snag a chair by the windows for photo-finish views of the runway.<\/p>\n
My flight began boarding an hour before departure, and I climbed on board first to snap some pictures.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>
ERIC ROSEN\/THE POINTS GUY<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nHow comfortable is Aer Lingus business class?<\/h2>\n Aer Lingus flies both Airbus A330-200s and A330-300s. The -300 variant has 30 business-class seats, while the -200 variant operating my trip has just 23. Fun fact: Aer Lingus’ A330s are named after saints and other figures of Irish mythology and folklore. My specific plane was named Caoimhe (pronounced “kwee-vah”) and was delivered to the airline way back in 2001.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>
ERIC ROSEN\/THE POINTS GUY<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nHere’s a quick look at the layout and dimensions:<\/p>\n
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\n\n\nNumber of seats<\/b><\/th>\n 23<\/span><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n\n\n\n1-2-1, 1-2-2<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n\n77 inches fully flat<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n\n21 inches<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n\n16 inches<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\nThese are tried-and-true, if not super current, Thompson Aero Vantage seats. Hence, their distinctive 1-2-1 and 1-2-2 layout.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>
ERIC ROSEN\/THE POINTS GUY<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nAll the seats along the left side of the cabin are singles that alternate between being closer to the window and the aisle.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>
ERIC ROSEN\/THE POINTS GUY<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nAll five rows running down the center are paired and, unlike other configurations, they’re not closer together or farther apart depending on the row. Rather, they are staggered just like the seats on the sides.<\/p>\n
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Those along the right side of the cabin alternate between singles and doubles; the singles are the sought-after “throne” seats with plenty of space on either side.<\/p>\n
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By the time I booked my ticket, only a single solo seat remained: 2A. And, because of a fun quirk of Aer Lingus, I actually had to call the airline to reserve it since you cannot do so online. I would have preferred one of the seats in the odd rows, since their wider armrests are on the aisle, providing a bit more of a buffer from other passengers or crew walking along the aisle.<\/p>\n
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Like the other seats in the cabin, mine was 21 inches wide between armrests and reclined to a 77-inch lie-flat bed. I especially liked the upholstery, which was an emerald green with a chartreuse trim and a gray leather headrest. It felt very Irish indeed. The foot cubby was 20 inches wide and 11 inches tall, which was large enough for me, but if you have big feet, it could feel tight.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>
ERIC ROSEN\/THE POINTS GUY<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nThe tray table, which was 17 inches wide by 12 inches deep, unlatched vertically from the side of the seat and then swung into place with a mere 17 inches between it and the seatback, so it might feel restrictive for some folks.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>
ERIC ROSEN\/THE POINTS GUY<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nThe seat controls included three preset positions, a button for lumbar support and another that could maneuver the legrest, but none to move just the seatback.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>
ERIC ROSEN\/THE POINTS GUY<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nThere was also a universal power plug and a USB-A port, but no USB-C port. Inside the armrest, there was a corded remote for the entertainment system.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>
ERIC ROSEN\/THE POINTS GUY<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nThen, in the larger console (near the window in my seat), I found a boxy stowage compartment that was big enough for my amenity kit and some other small belongings, but not quite big enough for a computer. There was also a water bottle holder by my legs and another compartment under the footrest for shoes.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>
ERIC ROSEN\/THE POINTS GUY<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nIn lie-flat mode, I found the seat comfortable and roomy, and I wasn’t disturbed by activity in the aisle. I managed to snooze for four hours between meals, which left me feeling refreshed and ready to enjoy the last few hours of the day once I arrived on the West Coast.<\/p>\n
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Each seat had its own individual air nozzles, so I could keep my area cool throughout the flight.<\/p>\n
Finally, the A330-200 had two lavatories for business class. One was up front on the left side of the galley near the cockpit, and the other was at the back right of the cabin. Staff kept both very clean throughout the flight, and although there were no other frills to speak of, hand soap and lotion from high-end Irish brand Jo Browne were available. I do wish the toilet flush and the sink had been touchless, though.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>
ERIC ROSEN\/THE POINTS GUY<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nAmenities in Aer Lingus business class<\/h2>\n Waiting at each seat was a large, firm pillow; lightweight duvets were stowed in individual plastic bags in the overhead bins. I also found a menu and wine list to peruse.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>
ERIC ROSEN\/THE POINTS GUY<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nSitting on the large armrest was a small fabric amenity kit that contained a toothbrush and toothpaste, earplugs, an eye mask, a pen, socks, and Jo Browne-branded moisturizer and lip balm.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>
ERIC ROSEN\/THE POINTS GUY<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nThe entertainment screen was 16 inches wide diagonally and had over 100 hours of programming, including recent movie releases like “One Battle After Another” and “Bugonia,” as well as a large selection of television shows like “All Her Fault,” “The Penguin” and “The Studio.”<\/p>\n
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The airline provided basic headphones that reduced some of the ambient cabin noise.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>
ERIC ROSEN\/THE POINTS GUY<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nEven more exciting, though, was that business-class passengers received vouchers for free Wi-Fi for the duration of the flight, which otherwise would have cost 22.49 euros ($26.50). It worked well for the first two hours of the flight, then fizzled out until we were about two hours from landing; if it hadn’t been free, I might have requested a refund. Other Wi-Fi packages included messaging for one hour or the full flight, and four hours of browsing. The costs ranged from $4.10 to $15.85.<\/p>\n
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Aer Lingus is currently rolling out Starlink Wi-Fi on its fleet. Its first aircraft to receive Starlink connectivity was an A330-300 in March, so it might be a while before it’s available on all the airline’s flights.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>
ERIC ROSEN\/THE POINTS GUY<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nHow was the food in Aer Lingus business class?<\/h2>\n While passengers were boarding and getting settled, flight attendants came through the aisles to introduce themselves, assist with luggage and offer a choice of water or Jean Pernet Tradition Brut NV Champagne.<\/p>\n
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