Flying with Aer Lingus A320 Economy, my journey began at the bustling Terminal 2, where check-in queues and security procedures set the tone for the day. The absence of lounge access and the strict baggage policies added to the experience, but efficient boarding and attentive crew made up for the initial hassle. With a window seat providing a decent view and an onboard service that met expectations, the flight itself was smooth. However, the ground experience left room for improvement. Read on to discover the highs and lows of this Aer Lingus economy trip.
In this review:
Flight Details
Flight No: EI385
From/To: London (LHR) to Shannon (SNN)
Departure time: 14:20
Ticket Class: Economy
Flight time: 1 hours 2 mins
Frequent Flyer Points: 10
Status Points: 5
Aircraft: EI-CVB
Aircraft type: Airbus A320-214
Number of classes: 1
Number of seats in flying class: 174
Seat: 17F
Position: right hand side of the aircraft, halfway down the cabin
Airport Experience
Terminal 2 was fairly busy when I arrived. I considered dropping off a bag to wander more freely around the terminal, but the queues at the check-in desks quickly changed my mind. I opted to keep my wheelie cases and rucksack with me—a decision I would later regret.
Security was relatively quiet. I selected a lane with the new X-ray equipment, which avoids the need to remove laptops and liquids from bags. The process moves much quicker when everyone is spared the hassle of unpacking and repacking their bags.
As I had only booked an economy fare with priority boarding, no lounge access was included. Business class passengers and those with Aer Lingus or BA status can access the dedicated Aer Lingus lounge in Terminal 2. While it doesn’t offer much in the way of food (are crisps and crackers food?), it does provide a small range of complimentary hot, cold, and alcoholic beverages. I’ve heard the lounge is closing soon for a much-needed refit, as it’s currently one of the sorriest-looking lounges in Terminal 2.
Boarding & Welcome
Boarding started on time and was conducted by priority boarding group. Worryingly, the gate staff had scales out and were weighing all suitcases being carried aboard as hand luggage. Here’s the catch: Standard economy tickets don’t include the use of the overhead bins; you can only bring a small bag that fits under the seat in front. I knew this, but I didn’t realise that if you purchase hand luggage (€9.99 at the time of booking), it must be under 10kg. I booked through the BA website, where this wasn’t made particularly clear. If the bag weighed over 10kg, the staff insisted it went in the hold, incurring a charge.
Aboard the aircraft, the crew did an excellent job of keeping everyone moving along the aisle and quickly taking their seats. This efficient process allowed everyone to board promptly, enabling the doors to be closed on time.
Seat
The standard economy class seat on an Aer Lingus A320-214 aircraft offers a basic yet comfortable experience. The seat pitch is approximately 30 inches, providing moderate legroom for average-height passengers. The seats are upholstered in a dark fabric, with adjustable headrests and limited recline. Each seat features a tray table, a pocket for personal items, and overhead storage bins. Overall, the seats are designed for efficiency and comfort on short to medium-haul flights.
My seat on the right-hand side of the plane offered an average amount of legroom. At 5’10”, I had about 2 inches separating my knees from the seat in front. I could extend and stretch my legs without being restricted by the bar under the seat in front. I enjoyed a good view out of the window over the starboard wing. The overhead lockers near my seat eventually filled up, but I didn’t see anyone struggling to find space for their belongings. The strict enforcement at the gates likely helped with this.
What is the best seat on Aer Lingus A320 Economy?
Row 13 is an exit row with a few extra inches of legroom. Because its an exit row, all belongings must go in the overhead bins, so don’t sit here if you want your bag by your feet.
See the seating plan on SeatGuru.
Onboard Experience
An Aer Lingus A320-214 features a single-class layout for efficiency and basic comfort on short to medium-haul flights. The aircraft typically seats 174 passengers in a 3-3 configuration. Each seat is equipped with adjustable headrests, a tray table, and a seat pocket for personal items. Overhead bins provide storage space for larger carry-on luggage. The onboard washrooms are located at the front and rear of the cabin and were kept clean and well-maintained.
Food & Drink
The crew came through with a trolley service about 10 minutes after the seat belt sign was turned off.
They offered hot, cold and alcoholic beverages, but there was no menu or QR code to scan, so I simply had to ask what they had.
In-flight Entertainment
While in-flight entertainment systems are not standard on short-haul flights, I could access Aer Lingus’ entertainment options on my mobile phone via the Wi-Fi.
BG1 Verdict
The queues to drop bags at the Aer Lingus check-in at Terminal 2 highlight the woeful under-investment the airline is making in its ground services. The cynical might say it’s a ploy to discourage passengers checking in bags, only to be charged at the gate, which might be a money-spinner. Overall, the flight and crew were good, but the ground service made an unpleasant experience out of what should have been a simple short hop.
BG1 Tip
Do not book Aer Lingus flights through BA. No matter the price you’re charged, BA seem to always book you into the lowest fare category on Aer Lingus, which means you can’t select seats. Being the lowest-value passenger, you’re vulnerable to being denied boarding due to overbooking or being sat by the toilets with no window. The negligible Avios and tier points you earn through a BA ticket aren’t worth the additional hassle. Book directly on Aerlingus.com
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