I have to say that Trinity College Dublin does give great vacations to its students. Who can complain about 3 weeks off in March? Most of my friends in the US only get their week…..ahhh life as a Trinity student……
Mother’s birthday is on Saturday, 9th March. Rather than fly home on that day I decided that flying home 2 days before would allow me some down time to prepare for the festivities. I had booked this ticket in December….and this is the return leg of the outbound journey of 9th January. I upgraded this ticket to business class. Since June, 1999 I have gotten an upgrade on every transatlantic flight I have taken with Aer Lingus. All this comes to an end with this flight, unfortunately. There will be no more free upgrades for me.
As always I was offered a complimentary car to pick me up in Dublin and drop me off in New York. I elected for the car in New York this time as well since I was flying midweek and did not want to hassle my parents with having to pick me up. I had asked to be picked up for 9am. And at about 8.50am my phone rang to tell me my ride was outside. That was great…I got all my belongings and made my way downstairs. My driver’s name was Patrick, he was a nice guy but I was slightly disappointed that the guy, Dermot, who usually picked me up wasn’t there. I asked where he was and Patrick told me he took a month off and had gone away on holidays. So, I guess I would not be seeing Dermot again soon.
There was quite a good bit of traffic going out to the airport, just mainly in the city center though….the motorway to the airport was quite free flowing. Check-in was a breeze. My seat was preassigned and my bags were tagged with priority labels as well. There was no line either which made things quite nice. I proceeded through security and made my way upstairs to the lounge to rest. I was up at 6.30am so I was starting to feel quite tired. The lounge wasn’t terribly busy. I figured that was because no one knew how to get upstairs. The usual lift was broken and you had to take a back stairway to get up. I called my aunt to say goodbye and see how things were going with my cousin who is being transferred out to LA for the next 2-3 years on Sunday.
It was sooooooo hot upstairs in the lounge it wasn’t even funny. I opened a few windows to get some fresh air. It really didn’t help because then you were inhaling jet fuel. I like the smell but many don’t. Viewing today was particularly exciting for me. The B gates look reminiscent of a 1970’s airport. There was a Finnair M83 in old colours, a Aeroflot TU154 (RA-85614), IB 320, the EI-SHN great white whale I was going on and, 2 other EI aircraft in usual colours….argh….if they just had left one plane in the old colours it would’ve seemed like a time warp. The C gates were pretty busy as well. There was a BD 321, a BD 733, an AF 146, OK 734, and a LH 733. So, pretty wide range of carriers out there today.
Anyway, it being St. Patrick’s weekend next weekend how could I go home without some Bailey’s? So, after some shortbread and a cup of coffee I went back downstairs to the Duty Free shop to get the Bailey’s. It was just going 11.10am so I decided that I would venture down to US immigration and the gate. Immigration was a breeze and the boarding area was very crowded. The girl at check-in indicated it was a very full flight all ways. It certainly looked like it was too from the look of the lounge.
Boarding began shortly thereafter. I boarded with the business class passengers simply because I was hoping that would avoid a random search of my hand luggage. Fortunately, my thinking turned out correct and I proceeded on down the jetway to the Great White Whale. As already mentioned in this forum EI-SHN has been painted all white awaiting return to the leasing company or a wetlease to SN. I was slightly disappointed because I knew this aircraft would not have the newer Premier seats. And I was also expecting it to be in less than tip top condition….as the other great white whale I flew on with Air Atlanta was in less than tip top shape….but that was among one of my best flights ever so……
However, on boarding I was pleasantly surprised the seats were still in the green, gold, and blue colours in Y and the older leather seats in J. Just like before….no complaints!
I started to talk with one of the FA’s and she was saying that the flight was awfully full today. There was going to be a full load in J at 36/36 and about 275/279 in Y.
We were offered a pre-takeoff drink and a wide selection of newspapers. I was so caught up about reading about the abortion referendum that I hadn’t even noticed that the time was nearly 12.30 and we hadn’t even pushed back yet. Supposedly we were waiting for one last passenger. Shortly afterwards he boarded and we pushed back. He was seated in 1C, so thus the reason we waited because I am sure if he was in Y we would have been long gone. Our captain came on and told us we had a rather long flight of 7 hrs 15 mins.
Takeoff was immediate, no waiting at all and we were airborne at 12.36. Bar service was the first order of business. I figured I would stick with the wine for most of the flight and selected the Chablis. It was fine….quite nice actually. Lunch then began which consisted of the following menu:
APPETISERS
Crab with Avocado and Grape Fruit
Poached Pear Wrapped in Prosciutto
MAIN COURSES
ROAST DUCK
With Honey and Rosemary
Potato Champ and Red Cabbage
PAN FRIED FILLET STEAK
Red Pepper Sauce
Baked Fennel with Vermouth Stuffed Tomato
Roast Potatoes and Mint
ROAST LACK OF LAMB
Coated with Coriander and Parsley
Baby Vegetables
New Potatoes with Garlic
FILLET OF SOLE
Topped with Tomato Concasse and Asparagus
Bernaise Sauce
Broccoli and Steamed Potatoes
TAGLIONI VERDE
Tomato and Herb Sauce
Red Onion, Aubergines, and Mushrooms
I opted for the crab for starts, and the lamb. Both I thoroughly enjoyed. For dessert there was a selection from the trolley. There was a fruit cup, an apple and cinnamon thing, a chocolate and orange mousse cake, and two other things. I took the chocolate and it was delicious!!!
After lunch, quiet time began. I completed the majority of this report during this time. I also took a walk back to Y which looked 100% full. I did not see any vacant seats whatsoever. So, I do not want to hear Aer Lingus are operating at less than 80% capacity!!!!!!! A Thursday afternoon flight totally full to JFK in March?? Even the DL flight to ATL was full!!!
Bottles of water were distributed and a glass of ice given out to any takers. The cabin manager (purser) came around to me and asked if I was traveling with my seatmate. I was like no but he hasn’t had a drink the whole flight. She was like yeah, he must be sick!! He was up in the bathroom of course while we were chatting. Then he came back and reclined and didn’t utter a word.
The movies were pretty good on this flight as well. So I settled back and enjoyed three of them. There was a Tommy Lee Jones channel with the Fugitive and The Client. And then there was Behind Enemy Lines. I enjoyed all the films. Yes, that one channel was pretty old stuff….but as long as someone enjoys it that’s all that really matters.
After a nice rest, and falling asleep during Behind Enemy Lines a light snack was served before landing. I haven’t done the coach route on this flight in so long I’m wondering are they still serving that nonsense sandwich and a time out. Anyway, there was a report up here about a guy who worked an AA flight 105 from LHR to JFK named Lorenzo. I couldn’t help but thinking about him with the male FA who did this service. He skipped several people, including me. So, we all had to ask for some food. And then of course we all got some attitude when we asked. Even the priest sitting over in 2H got annoyed. And why is a priest traveling business class…..I thought the church was poor??? And what about vows of poverty????
Anyway this little snack consisted of a tray with some little pastries like cream puffs, a cup of coffee, and some scones with clotted cream. Definitely a nice snack!!
Trays were collected and we had about 20 minutes to get ourselves together before landing. Just before landing hot towels were distributed as well.
Landing was at 2.51pm. Coats were distributed and then we arrived at gate A7. Baggage was delivered from belt 6 and I was in the town car sent out by 3.15pm. I arrived home at 3.50pm.
Overall, another great performance from Aer Lingus in their business class product. When I go back in April I’m traveling with AA from JFK to LHR on a 777 and EI from LHR to DUB on an A321 in coach. Reports will follow.
Shamrock104 From Ireland, joined Sep 2000, 514 posts, RR: 1 Reply 1, posted (10 years 2 months 2 weeks 1 day 13 hours ago) and read 5199 times:
I'll be sad to see EI-SHN go, i too did some good runs on that one. Glad to hear the trip was good, it's hard to beat the convinience and comfort of Aer Lingus trans-atlantic Premier. I'll be doing DUB-ORD and BOS-SHN-DUB next week with them.
The 105/4 is completely full of late, a result of Delta pulling their JFK-DUB flight which I really regret and pray they reinstate (if only to take the excess loads of the 104/5).
Mcmahonsmr From United States of America, joined Dec 2000, 318 posts, RR: 0 Reply 2, posted (10 years 2 months 2 weeks 1 day 12 hours ago) and read 5199 times:
Phillip -
It's even worse when you see SHN parked at the gate in all white....you realise that an airline is struggling to survive when they have to get rid of a $30m aircraft...especially when it was that very aircraft that helped to save the airline in 1994-5.
As for DL...I never had the opportunity of trying that flight. However, next year if CO continue to operate the 764 all year round I will jump at an opportunity for that. The 757 has never enticed me for some reason.
Have you ever checked out this website fly.to/dublin ...it has an interesting forum on it. It's just a group of a few people who partake in debates on the existence of the SNN stopover etc. But, as of late there has been advance news of the newer routes. Currently there is "news" that EI are abou to announce new routes (again!) to Prague and Faro.
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