For my first time traveling to the United States, I was ecstatic to fly to Orlando from Dublin with Aer Lingus recently. Of course, Aer Lingus has been my go-to airline since I’ve been living in Dublin. However, I had never flown more than 4 hours with them. Knowing the duration of the flight, ie. 9 hours on the way over and 7h50 on the way back, I was bracing myself with snacks, a full water bottle and my trusty neck pillow. Turns out, the flight was so smooth and the entertainment so good, those 9 hours flew by – pun intended.
The designated aircraft for this DUB-MCO route is an Airbus A330-300, with a 2-4-2 configuration in Economy. It’s the perfect option for families, or frequent flyers like me, who appreciate some legroom and space to walk around. Combined with the fact that I was flying on a Tuesday afternoon, the flight was not full and I had a whole row of 2 seats to myself – enough to stretch out and not worry about how many times I want to get out of my seat.
As soon as I got settled in, I jumped right to the screen to look for the (many) movies I was going to binge-watch over these 9 hours. With this flight taking off at 2pm, I had already anticipated that, besides doing a bit of work, I was going to have a blast with the in-flight entertainment. And boy, did I. Not only could I find, to my surprise, my favourite sitcoms in the TV Show section, I also got to watch some incredible movies. As my coworkers went for Conclave in the newcomers section, I went for musicals, as I often do. I was so incredibly behind and had not seen Wicked yet – don’t know if I can even call myself a theatre kid anymore… I audibly gasped when, after going through the whole movie section from A to Z, i finally stumbled upon the chosen one. I’m not ashamed to say, I started watching Wicked before we had even taken off, and before I knew it, the beautiful voices of Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo were flying me to Oz. One might say, I was defying gravity… I then watched a few other ones, additionally to some more on the way back, including Trap by M. Night Shyamalan (a big let-down from one of my favourite filmakers). But I digress! Down to what really matters – the flight!
About an hour after take-off, I got treated to the trademark Aer Lingus snack and drink. I never drink on flights, but I went for the red wine this time, and I have no regrets! Between snack-time and the dinner, I had plenty of time to order more snacks (can one really have enough snacks?), so I of course went for the Tayto Crisps. The flight attendants were always available and smiling. I could feel they deeply cared about offering the best service they could to us Economy passengers. Between The Wizard and I and Defying Gravity, dinner had arrived. I had the lovely chicken meal, which was not only tasty, but also felt like a full meal with its starter, bread, butter and dessert.
I was excitedly staring at the flight map, so impatient to touch American soil! After a quick post-dinner nap, we had arrived in Orlando International Airport.
I can honestly say that the Aer Lingus flight between Dublin (DUB) and Orlando (MCO) is extremely smooth and comfortable, even in Economy. Between the in-flight entertainment, the simple but comfy seats, the complimentary pillow and blanket and the kindest flight attendants, I really appreciated my trip. It put me in good spirits for my first American travel experience. It’s an amazing route that opens the door to so many Epic experiences – including Universal Studios’ newest park, EPIC Universe. I can’t wait to go back, and fly with Aer Lingus again.
Flight Overview
- Route: Dublin (DUB) to Orlando (MCO)
- Aircraft Type: Airbus A330-300
- Flight Duration:
- Dublin to Orlando: Approximately 9 hours 10 minutes
- Orlando to Dublin: Approximately 7 hours 50 minutes
- Schedule: Aer Lingus operates 6 direct flights per week on this route, typically departing in the early afternoon.
Economy Class Service
- Seating: Seats offer a pitch of 31–32 inches and a width of 17–18 inches, providing comfortable legroom for long-haul travel.
- In-flight Entertainment: Personal seat-back screens with a wide selection of movies, TV shows, music, and games.
- Food Inclusions: Passengers receive complimentary meals and snacks, with options reflecting both Irish and international cuisines. Beverages, including soft drinks and a selection of alcoholic drinks, are available.
- Amenities: Each passenger is provided with a pillow, blanket, and headphones for added comfort during the flight.
- Baggage Allowance: One checked bag up to 23 kg and one carry-on bag up to 10 kg.
Business Class Service
- Seating: Fully lie-flat seats that extend to 6.5 feet (2 meters), featuring massage functions and direct aisle access for every passenger.
- Priority Services: Business Class passengers benefit from priority check-in, boarding, and access to the Aer Lingus lounge at Dublin Airport.
- In-flight Entertainment: Larger high-definition screens with noise-cancelling headphones and an extensive library of entertainment options.
- Gourmet Dining: A curated menu featuring seasonal Irish produce, with dishes such as smoked salmon and Korean BBQ chicken. Complimentary beverages, including a selection of wines and spirits, are served.
- Amenities: Enhanced amenity kits featuring eco-friendly skincare products from Jo Browne Ireland, a 3D-moulded face mask, and other travel essentials.
- Baggage Allowance: Two checked bags, each up to 32 kg, and one carry-on bag.
