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Evaluate: Aer Lingus A330 Enterprise Class (Dublin to Chicago)
I lately flew Aer Lingus Enterprise Class from Dublin to Chicago O’Hare aboard an Airbus A330-200. Aer Lingus might not have the worldwide profile of a few of Europe’s largest flag carriers, however the Irish airline presents a nice option to cross the Atlantic. The Enterprise Class product shouldn’t be probably the most subtle within the sky, with a cabin and seat design which can be displaying their age, however considerate particulars resembling complimentary Wi-Fi, Irish-inspired eating and heat hospitality assist compensate. And departing from Dublin brings one other important benefit: U.S. preclearance, permitting passengers to finish American immigration and customs formalities earlier than boarding and arrive in USA as precleared vacationers.
Have you ever ever flown Enterprise Class with Aer Lingus? What was your expertise? Depart a remark.
Flight particulars:
- Journey: Dublin (DUB) to Chicago O’Hare (ORD)
- Airline: Aer Lingus
- Plane kind: Airbus A330-200
- Plane registration quantity: EI-DAA (inbuilt 2001)
- On time departure: Sure (11:30 am)
- On time arrival: Sure (1:45 pm)
- Distance: 5,900 km (3,665 miles)
- Flight time: 8 hours and quarter-hour
- Seat: 3K
- Class: Enterprise Class
On this evaluation (extra data & pictures beneath my YouTube video):
- About Aer Lingus
- Clearing U.S. Immigration earlier than departure
- Lounge
- Enterprise Class cabin
- Enterprise Class seat (+ greatest & worst seats)
- Facilities & bedding
- Meals
- Leisure
- Onboard web
- Last ideas & my verdict (rating)
1. About Aer Lingus
Aer Lingus is Eire’s nationwide flag provider and has a historical past stretching again nearly 9 a long time. The airline was based in 1936, initially working with a de Havilland DH.84 Dragon named Iolar, that means “eagle” in Irish. Aer Lingus subsequently developed into Eire’s principal worldwide airline, with transatlantic flying changing into one of many defining parts of its id. The airline started common transatlantic providers in 1958 and launched jet plane to its fleet shortly afterwards.
Right now, Aer Lingus is a part of Worldwide Airways Group (IAG), alongside British Airways, Iberia, and Vueling. The airline operates an all-Airbus fleet, together with the A320 household for European providers and the A330 and A321LR/XLR for long-haul operations. The A330 stays the airline’s predominant wide-body plane for its busiest transatlantic routes. Aer Lingus has a hybrid enterprise mannequin of low-cost and conventional carriers, working a combined fare service on its European routes and full service, two-class flights on transatlantic routes.
2. Clearing U.S. Immigration Earlier than Departure
One of many biggest benefits of flying Aer Lingus from Dublin is U.S. preclearance, permitting passengers to finish American immigration, customs and agricultural inspections earlier than departure. Dublin is considered one of simply 15 airports worldwide the place U.S. Customs and Border Safety operates preclearance amenities, alongside Shannon in Eire; Calgary, Edmonton, Halifax, Montréal, Ottawa, Toronto, Vancouver and Winnipeg in Canada; Abu Dhabi within the United Arab Emirates; Nassau within the Bahamas; Bermuda; and Oranjestad in Aruba.
For a busy airport resembling Chicago O’Hare, this may make a big distinction. It’s a type of benefits that’s straightforward to underestimate till you expertise it your self. After a transatlantic flight, the very last thing many vacationers need is to spend one other hour standing in an immigration queue. With Dublin preclearance, a lot of that course of has already been taken care of. For me, U.S. preclearance is considered one of Aer Lingus’ strongest promoting factors.
3. Lounge
Throughout my go to, Aer Lingus Enterprise Class Lounge (known as the 51st & Inexperienced Lounge), situated after U.S. preclearance, was present process refurbishment. Aer Lingus had due to this fact organized a brief reserved seating space for eligible passengers, with lounge-style chairs however not one of the typical amenities. Passengers had been additionally given vouchers for drinks and snacks, which may very well be redeemed at chosen cafés within the terminal. Whereas this was definitely extra primary than a correct airport lounge, it was a sensible answer whereas the refurbishment was underway.
The excellent news is that the 51st & Inexperienced Lounge has since reopened, following an in depth refurbishment. The redesigned lounge now contains a central bar, workstations, charging amenities, upgraded restrooms and showers, and an expanded choice of cold and warm meals. Positioned after U.S. preclearance and near the U.S. departure gates, it’s complimentary for eligible Aer Lingus Enterprise Class passengers.
4. Enterprise Class Cabin
The Aer Lingus A330-200 Enterprise Class cabin options 23 totally flat seats unfold throughout 5 rows, whereas the provider’s A330-300 options 30 Enterprise Class seats unfold throughout seven rows. In each A330 plane variants, the Thompson Aero Vantage seats are organized in an alternating 1-2-1 and 2-2-1 structure, generally referred to as a staggered configuration. This cabin structure presents a number of totally different seating choices.:
- On the left aspect of the cabin, each row contains a single seat. These alternate between true window seats, with the console positioned on the aisle aspect for larger privateness, and seats the place the console sits in opposition to the window. The latter go away you extra uncovered to the aisle and are due to this fact much less fascinating.
- On the correct aspect, the configuration alternates between paired seats and particular person “throne” seats. The latter are probably the most sought-after choices for solo travellers, providing further private area, larger privateness and direct aisle entry. The paired seats are higher suited to {couples}, though they lack a aspect console and due to this fact have much less further storage; they do function a privateness divider that may be raised when desired.
- The middle part all the time has two seats per row, however there aren’t any conventional “honeymoon” pairs. One seat all the time has a aspect console and extra storage, whereas the opposite doesn’t. A sliding privateness divider separates the paired seats, permitting you to create extra privateness when touring subsequent to a stranger.
The general design of Aer Lingus’ A330 Enterprise Class cabin is easy and practical, with a impartial color palette complemented by Aer Lingus’ signature inexperienced seat covers, reflecting the airline’s Irish id.
5. Enterprise Class Seat (+ Greatest & Worst Seats)
For this flight, I chosen seat 3A, considered one of Aer Lingus’ coveted throne seats. Positioned on the correct aspect of the cabin, this solo seat presents significantly extra private area than the paired seats, with a aspect console on the aisle aspect and a a big aspect desk on the window aspect, making a extra non-public, cocoon-like surroundings. The seat is 53 cm (21 inches) broad, with 147 cm (58 inches) of pitch, and converts into a completely flat mattress measuring 196 cm (77 inches), giving sufficient room for many passengers to stretch out correctly.
A big aspect console comprises a completely enclosed storage compartment, offering loads of room for private belongings. On the skin of the console is a panel with the principle seat controls, charging port, headphone jack and water-bottle holder, whereas a studying gentle and particular person air vent are additionally conveniently positioned close by. A massive tray desk folds out from the console and gives a secure floor for eating. Nonetheless, it’s a single-piece design, so as soon as deployed, it can’t be moved apart, making it troublesome to depart the seat throughout meal service.
The aisle-side armrest options one other management panel with extra primary seat features, in addition to the handset for the inflight leisure system, which is hidden beneath a small flap. On the alternative aspect, the armrest incorporates a beneficiant aspect desk that may double as a helpful working floor. Constructed into the bottom of this armrest is a small storage compartment, which is especially useful for storing sneakers.
In entrance of the seat is a 16-inch leisure display screen, whereas beneath it’s the footwell, which turns into a part of the mattress when the seat is totally reclined. That is in all probability the principle downside of the throne seats. As a result of the footwell is constructed into the comparatively slim area between the 2 seats in entrance, it’s noticeably smaller than these discovered at different seats within the cabin. When sleeping, your toes can hit the edges of the footwell as you progress round. It isn’t a significant downside, but it surely does make the throne seats considerably much less snug in mattress mode than their in any other case glorious design would recommend.
What are the greatest Enterprise Class seats on Aer Lingus’ A330s?
- For solo vacationers, I’d suggest the throne seats every time out there, as they provide the best quantity of non-public area and privateness. The window-side solo seats, with their console positioned on the aisle aspect, are additionally glorious selections for passengers who worth each privateness and a correct window view; on the A330-200, these embrace 3A and 5A, whereas on the A330-300 they embrace 2A, 4A and 6A.
- For {couples}, I’d favor the paired seats within the heart part. Each passengers have direct aisle entry, whereas one of many two seats in every row additionally advantages from a aspect console with further storage.
What are the worst Enterprise Class seats on Aer Lingus’ A330s?
- As a solo traveler, I’d additionally keep away from the person seats positioned nearer to the aisle. They provide much less separation from passing passengers and cabin crew, making them extra uncovered and doubtlessly extra vulnerable to disturbance.
- The paired seats on the right-hand aspect are much less enticing for {couples}: just one passenger has direct aisle entry, that means the opposite has to climb over their companion to succeed in the aisle, and neither seat has a aspect console for extra storage.
- Lastly, seats instantly adjoining to the galley or bathrooms, significantly within the final row, are greatest averted should you worth a quieter surroundings, as these areas are likely to expertise extra foot site visitors and exercise all through the flight.
Click on right here for a seat map of Aer Lingus’ A330-200 and A330-300 plane.
6. Facilities & Bedding
On long-haul Enterprise Class flights, Aer Lingus gives passengers with the next facilities designed to make the journey extra snug.
- Aer Lingus’ up to date Enterprise Class amenity equipment, launched in 2025, is created in partnership with Jo Browne Eire, giving it a distinctly Irish contact. The equipment comprises Jo Browne’s Signature Mix Lip Balm and Hydrating Moisturiser, each packaged in 100% sugarcane tubes, along with a pen and toothbrush incorporating wheat straw, plant-based and biodegradable pouches for the dental equipment and earplugs, a 3D-moulded eye masks and a pair of socks.
- A tender pillow and cover are offered for added sleeping consolation.
- Noise-cancelling headphones are offered, though they aren’t industry-leading.
7. Meals
Aer Lingus presents a full eating service on its transatlantic flights, with the meal sequence tailored to the time of day. On this daytime flight from Dublin to Chicago, lunch was served after takeoff, adopted by a lighter afternoon tea earlier than touchdown. For lunch, I selected the next choice from the menu:
- Starter: Smoked salmon and horseradish mousse, served with trout caviar, compressed cucumber and dill.
- Fundamental course: 18-hour braised beef brisket in a purple wine braising jus, accompanied by smoked mashed potato, inexperienced beans, star anise carrots and a herby panko breadcrumb.
- Cheese: A choice of Irish cheeses, together with Hegarty’s Smoked Cheddar and Mossfield Natural Farm gouda-style cheese, served with Burren Balsamics Spiced Apple Chutney and Peter’s Yard Sourdough Crackers.
The smoked salmon starter was very good, with the horseradish mousse including some further taste with out overpowering the fish. The meat brisket was tender sufficient and completely first rate, though it didn’t stand out. I’ve but to get pleasure from a extremely spectacular steak or beef dish on an plane, and this was no exception. The accompanying sides had been nice, whereas the choice of Irish cheeses was a pleasant addition to the meal and added a neighborhood contact.
Previous to touchdown, Aer Lingus served afternoon tea, consisting of bite-sized sandwiches with rooster and stuffing, cheddar and Ballymaloe Relish, and egg salad, served with a scone with clotted cream and G’s Gourmand jam. The sandwiches had been considerably primary, however completely enough for a light-weight service in the direction of the tip of the flight.
8. Leisure
Every Enterprise Class seat has its personal private 16-inch leisure display screen with an audio and video on-demand system. The know-how is starting to look considerably dated in contrast with the latest era of long-haul plane, significantly when some rivals are actually putting in a lot bigger shows. However, the system does what it must do. There’s a broad choice of films, tv packages, music, video games and flight data. A shifting map is accessible as nicely, which is especially pleasing when crossing the Atlantic.
9. Onboard Web
One of many significantly enticing perks of Aer Lingus’ Enterprise Class is complimentary Wi-Fi for the complete flight. This can be a nice profit on a transatlantic journey, permitting Enterprise Class passengers to stay related with out having to buy a separate package deal. I used to be in a position to make use of the connection for messaging, searching and maintaining with what was taking place on-line.
Economic system Class passengers should purchase considered one of 4 Wi-Fi packages, relying on their wants and the size of time they wish to stay related: Chat for an Hour from €3.49, Maintain Chatting from €5.99, Keep Linked from €13.49 and Don’t Miss a Factor from €20.49. The packages vary from messaging-only entry to full-flight connectivity for e-mail, net searching and social media. For Enterprise Class passengers, nonetheless, having Wi-Fi included is a big benefit and provides actual worth to the general product.
10. Last Ideas & My Verdict
Aer Lingus’ Enterprise Class doesn’t provide a cutting-edge Enterprise Class product, but it surely stays a stable option to cross the Atlantic, with totally flat beds, complimentary Wi-Fi, first rate facilities, Irish-inspired eating and a pleasant crew. The primary drawbacks are the ageing seat design, lack of privateness and comparatively slim footwell on the throne seats, making seat choice significantly necessary. Finally, nonetheless, considered one of Aer Lingus’ biggest benefits lies on the bottom: Dublin’s U.S. preclearance makes arriving within the USA significantly simpler. And whereas the 51st & Inexperienced Lounge was present process refurbishment throughout my go to, it has since reopened with a considerably upgraded providing.
That is my verdict of Aer Lingus Enterprise Class on the Airbus A330:
- Seat consolation (upright): 8/10
- Seat consolation (mattress place): 6/10
- Meals (high quality): 8/10
- Meals (amount): 8/10
- Inflight leisure : 8/10
- WiFi: 9/10
- Service: 9/10
- Cabin design: 8/10
- Total expertise: good – 8/10
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