Aer Lingus to the USA

[Cockahoophappy]

We are close to Heathrow but thinking about going to and from the USA via Dublin to a) make immigration easier b) save ££.

I'm concerned though about luggage transfers in both directions. For the trip I'm looking at, we will have some outsize luggage (sport equipment).

How much time will we need at allow between touch down in Dublin and take off to ensure luggage makes it on to the second plane?

TIA

most airlines have a reasonably large choice of special meals. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, low lactose, nut free, Hindu vegetarian, Jain even.

which is fine if you have one issue. Vegetarian and gluten free? Nope. Gluten and dairy free, nope. Vegan and nut free, nope.

eta the odd thing I find is most airlines standard meals are a vegetarian and a meat choice. But the vegetarian choice is not the same as the special order vegetarian choice, which nearly always is much worse. However I daren’t not pre- order, as I take the risk of the standard veggie option running out before they get to me. But why they can’t just serve the vegetarians with the veggie option first, rather than having to bring on board separate, inferior meals is beyond me.

like I said Air France actually do an “allergen free” meal which at least covers if you have more than one allergen. I’d like to see that on more airlines rather than the millions of separate choices.

but we’re digressing slightly. However it has made me rethink the option of flying via Dublin with dd, and I don’t think I could take the risk.

Which I normally would. But Teen DD has made me promise not to do anything which risks our entrance into the US in the current climate.
I'll take super dark chocolate but that's it. I'll have to buy a couple of shit sandwiches at the cafe and eat the middle.

I don't have any food intolerances, but generally I take some boiled eggs and cheese and veggie sticks when I travel. Or a pret salad.

I knew this would be an issue and it's worth it for us.

Best airline I travelled on was Air New Zealand to LAX. I was able to order a fruit plate for dinner, which came with cheese. It was superb!

Shannon airport might be worth considering. Fewer flights and faster processing but depends where you are going to in the USA. Saw an Irish news article at the weekend claiming it was a Celeb secret though they are presumably jetting about on their private gulf streams

Yes it's not exactly a secret.

It's few years back now but BA used Shannon for commercial passengers when they ran their London City- JFK service.

The aircraft had to stop at Shannon to refuel so while that was being done the passengers hopped off and did clearance.

I flew this route last year. Agree that you’ll need plenty of time at Dublin to clear immigration.

it’s a pretty basic flight tbh. Zero luxuries. And check the plane itself….we flew in what felt like a small plane (2 rows of 3 seats), not a big jetliner, and it was a windy weekend. Bounced up and down over thr Atlantic for 5 hours. Not an experience I will,repeat.

I’ve done this, there was no queue at immigration. We had a wait of a few hours on the way there, but much longer on the way back. Immigration is just much more chill.

Ours is 2x4x2 set up.

We have 3.5hrs between landing from Heathrow and taking off again so hopefully that's enough time.

Also for those of you who are interested, Dublin now has the new liquid scanner, so we can take up to two litres from London Heathrow terminal 2, all the way to the US. Hurrah for a full bottle of shampoo!

Unless you are changing flights in US. Will need to collect luggage somewhere and reload.

I mean for international to internal USA flights

It’s not worth it to save time at US Immigration. Get the Mobile Passport App and cut your time down that way, rather than changing flights somewhere.

From Heathrow, I would fly directly to Newark if you’re staying in Manhattan.

With the new liquid scanners in the UK you are still restricted to 100ml bottles in hand luggage totalling a max of 2 litres.

you can take large bottles of liquid (up to a litre?) through Dublin security but you won't need to go through security anyway since its a connecting flight.

I really think the worst thing that can happen to you with food is having it taken away. They are absolutly used to passengers not realising that they are technically entering the USA. You can just claim ignorance.

At not busy times Aer Lingus uses the smaller aircraft. I've been on both.

Not sure what other luxuries other airlines are giving out. Flew on Delta recently (same route) and very similar experience. The wifi was better on Delta I think if thats important.

I'm not sure this is the case.
We went through terminal 4 in October and took a full water bottle through the scanner.
Same in Rome last summer where they had the new scanners.

I thought we had to clear Dublin immigration first and then go back through security at terminal 2 and then onto pre clearance?

Agree.

If I was using LHR and determined to avoid the JFK experience I'd seriously consider Newark over a connection,. especially if heading for Manhattan

I don't think thats the case but someone who has taken this route from the UK can confirm.

Never had to re-do security at Dublin for a flight to the US. Perhaps the PP has confused it with clearing immigration.

@beekman so we clear Irish immigration and then follow a sign for connections to the T2 shops/food then?

Not out immigration, through luggage, out to arrivals, back upstairs for departures and more security?

So excited for my Butlers flat white and free chocolate!

3.5 hours is plenty. I had 2 hours last summer. I was seated at the front of the 7.40 LHR-DUB flight and was one of the first off. Headed straight through Irish immigration and down to Pre clearance, which was pretty empty. The security staff said it gets busy from about 10am - my flight was at 11am. Worth noting that as a connecting passenger I did the security part (scanned hand luggage, shoes off etc) but Dublin passengers were allowed straight through to the US immigration desks.

You do not go through Irish immigration and security.

You get off your flight from Bristol/Liverpool/Glasgow/wherever and follow transit sighs, then US pre-clearance is very clearly marked.

Thanks pixie. But I do get my Butlers coffee don't I??! It's the only thing that's making this long trip worth it 😂

Thanks! The 100ml limit was re-introduced on a temporary basis last year, although clear bags were not required. It seems that the present situation is quite fluid (😀) and varies from UK airport to UK airport. So check the individual airport website before heading for the airport. And before buying the large bottles.

@StarlightLady I wrote to Dublin airport yesterday.

The woman who replied said that as I am taking off from Heathrow - 2L liquids, that I can transit through Dub with this and in through pre-clearance.

Eugh 'fluid situation' do they have no idea how much thought people put into their packing?! 😂

For basics, I will continue to do Boots airside click & collect. Less to carry to the airport and as you are through security, no restriction changes.

@StarlightLady yes that's a good point I suppose. I baulk at the price mark up in airside Boots though!

It is soooo worth it to be done with immigration before you get to the States!!! The last thing I want to be doing after a long haul flight is queuing at immigration. Also, if the Orange One is not a fan of my social media jibes at him and wants to refuse me entry, I’d rather know when I’m still safely on Irish soil thanks! Definitely allow adequate time between flights, but I’ve never had any problems going via Dublin.