Aer LingusEI

Aer Lingus is the flag carrier airline of Ireland, headquartered in Dublin. Founded in 1936, it is one of the oldest airlines in Europe and has become synonymous with Irish travel. Since 2015, Aer Lingus has been part of International Airlines Group (IAG), the parent company of British Airways, Iberia, and Vueling.

The airline operates an extensive European network alongside a significant transatlantic operation connecting Ireland to North America. A key differentiator is the US pre-clearance facility at Dublin and Shannon airports, allowing passengers to clear US immigration before departure and arrive in the US as domestic passengers.

Aer Lingus is not a member of any global airline alliance but maintains codeshare agreements with major carriers including American Airlines, British Airways, JetBlue, and United Airlines.

Carry-On Allowance

Personal Item (free on all fares):

• Dimensions: 10" x 13" x 8" (25 x 33 x 20 cm)
• Must fit under the seat in front of you
• Examples: Small backpack, handbag, laptop bag

Cabin Bag (overhead bin):

• Dimensions: 21.6" x 15.7" x 9.4" (55 x 40 x 24 cm) including handles and wheels
• Weight limit: 22 lbs (10 kg)
• Included on: Plus, Advantage, AerSpace, and Business fares
• NOT included on: Saver fares (personal item only)

Aer Lingus Regional (Emerald Airlines):

• Smaller cabin bag: 18.9" x 13" x 7.9" (48 x 33 x 20 cm)
• Weight limit: 15.4 lbs (7 kg)

Transatlantic Flights:

• All passengers receive 1 free cabin bag + 1 personal item regardless of fare type

Fare Type	Personal Item	Cabin Bag	Notes
Saver (Europe)	Free	Not included	Pay from EUR9.99 online
Plus / Advantage	Free	Free	Standard allowance
AerSpace	Free	Free	Priority boarding included
Business	Free	Free	Enhanced service
All Transatlantic	Free	Free	Included on all fares

Checked Baggage

Standard Size: 62 linear inches / 158 cm maximum (length + width + height)

Short-Haul/European Flights:

Fare	1st Bag	2nd Bag	Weight Limit
Saver	EUR25 (~$27)	EUR65 (~$71)	44 lbs (20 kg)
Plus	Free	EUR40 (~$44)	44 lbs (20 kg)
Advantage	Free	EUR40 (~$44)	44 lbs (20 kg)

Transatlantic Flights:

Fare	Bags Included	Additional Bag	Weight Limit
Economy Smart/Flex	1 bag	EUR75 (~$82)	50 lbs (23 kg)
Business	3 bags	EUR75 (~$82)	70 lbs (32 kg) each

Infants (under 2):

• Transatlantic: 1 x 22 lbs (10 kg) bag free
• All routes: 1 fully collapsible stroller free, plus one of: car seat, booster seat, or travel cot

Overweight & Oversized Fees

Overweight Bags (Transatlantic):

Weight Range	Fee
51-70 lbs (24-32 kg)	EUR75 / $100 USD per direction
Over 70 lbs (32 kg)	Not accepted

European Flights:

• EUR10 per kg over allowance

Booking Channel Pricing

When Purchased	Cabin Bag (Saver)	20kg Checked Bag
At booking (online)	EUR9.99-15	EUR25-30
After booking (online)	EUR15-35	EUR35-45
At airport counter	EUR35-60	EUR45-55
At boarding gate	EUR60+	Not available

Always book bags online for the best rates.

Special Items

Sports Equipment:

Item	European Flights	North American Flights
Golf clubs	EUR40-50 (~$44-55)	Counts as standard bag allowance
Skis/snowboard	EUR40-50 (~$44-55)	Counts as standard bag allowance
Bicycle	EUR50 (~$55), must be boxed	Counts as standard bag allowance
Surfboard	EUR50 (~$55)	Counts as standard bag allowance

Baby & Child Gear (FREE):

• Car seats: Free, doesn't count toward allowance
• Strollers: Free, one fully collapsible buggy per infant
• Travel cot: Free (one item from car seat/booster/cot per infant)

Musical Instruments:

• Small instruments may be carried in cabin if within size limits
• Larger instruments may require seat purchase
• Checked: Hard case strongly recommended, standard bag fees apply

Fees as of January 2026. Verify at aerlingus.com/baggage before traveling.

Business Class (Transatlantic)

Aer Lingus offers a premium business class product on all transatlantic routes featuring:

Seat:

• Fully lie-flat bed extending to 78 inches (198 cm)
• 20-22 inches wide depending on aircraft
• Direct aisle access on most configurations
• Thompson Vantage XL seats on A330 fleet
• Staggered 1-2-1 / 1-1-2-1 configuration

Service:

• Pre-departure drinks and hot towels
• Multi-course meal service with Irish-inspired menu
• Complimentary Champagne and premium wines
• Turndown service with mattress pad and duvet
• Premium amenity kit

Entertainment & Connectivity:

• Seatback entertainment screens with extensive content library
• Complimentary WiFi (voucher provided)
• In-seat power outlet and USB charging

Lounge Access:

• Access to Aer Lingus lounges in Dublin, Shannon, and partner lounges worldwide
• Arrivals lounge access at Dublin

Economy Class (Transatlantic)

Seat:

• Pitch: 31-32 inches
• Width: 17-18 inches
• Recaro seats on A330 aircraft
• Personal seatback entertainment screens

Service:

• Complimentary meals and drinks (including alcohol)
• Pre-order meal options available for purchase
• Bia food menu available to browse via app

Entertainment:

• Seatback IFE with films, TV shows, games, and music
• Play, pause, rewind functionality

Economy Class (Short-Haul/European)

Seat:

• Pitch: 29-31 inches depending on aircraft
• Width: 17-18 inches
• Leather seats on mainline aircraft

Service:

• Buy-on-board food and drinks
• Pre-order meals available on select routes
• Complimentary tea, coffee, and water

Entertainment:

• No seatback screens
• WiFi available for purchase on some aircraft
• Aer Lingus app for in-flight magazine and menus

Aircraft Fleet

• Airbus A330-300: 30 business class seats, economy, transatlantic routes
• Airbus A330-200: 23 business class seats, economy, transatlantic routes
• Airbus A321neo LR/XLR: 16 lie-flat business seats, economy, transatlantic routes
• Airbus A320/A321: European and UK routes
• ATR 72-600 (Emerald Airlines): Regional Irish and UK routes

US Pre-Clearance: A Major Advantage

Dublin and Shannon airports offer US Customs and Border Protection pre-clearance, meaning:

1. Clear immigration before you fly: Complete US immigration, customs, and agriculture inspection in Ireland
2. Arrive as a domestic passenger: Skip immigration lines at your US destination entirely
3. Faster connections: If connecting to another US flight, no need to re-clear security or customs
4. Time savings: Save 2+ hours versus clearing immigration on arrival
5. Global Entry: Dedicated kiosks available at Dublin pre-clearance

Pre-clearance tips:

• Allow extra time at Dublin/Shannon (arrive 3+ hours before transatlantic flights)
• ESTA required for Visa Waiver Program travelers; apply at least 72 hours before
• No duty-free alcohol/tobacco sales on pre-cleared flights
• Complete forms honestly; pre-clearance officers have full authority

Booking Tips

• Book direct on aerlingus.com: Better service for changes and cancellations
• Compare total costs: Add bags to Saver fares before comparing with Plus fares
• Check for sales: Aer Lingus runs regular promotions on European routes
• Use Avios: Award flights can offer excellent value, especially short-haul

At the Airport

• Dublin Terminal 2: Dedicated Aer Lingus terminal with US pre-clearance
• Express Bag Drop: Check in online, print bag tags at kiosk, use express lane
• Fast Track security: Available to Silver+ AerClub members
• Lounges: Dublin T2 lounge open to Business and Silver+ members

Maximizing AerClub

• Transfer Avios: Pool points from British Airways, Iberia, or Qatar Airways
• eStore shopping: Earn bonus Avios on everyday purchases
• Credit card strategy: US residents benefit from Aer Lingus Visa Signature
• Status match: IAG group sometimes offers status matches from competitor programs

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Saver fare bag limits: Personal item only; cabin bag costs extra
• Regional flights: Smaller bag allowance on Emerald Airlines (ATR) routes
• Airport bag fees: 3-5x more expensive than booking online
• Seat selection on Saver: Free only within 48 hours; pay earlier for choice
• Pre-clearance timing: Don't underestimate queue times at Dublin

Best Value Strategies

• Transatlantic economy: Good value with included meal, drinks, and entertainment
• Business class sales: Watch for promotional fares, especially ex-Dublin
• Avios redemptions: Sweet spot on short-haul European routes
• Connecting via Dublin: Often cheaper than direct flights from UK to US

Last verified: January 2026. Always confirm current policies at aerlingus.com before traveling.