Aer Lingus Review & Rating

Airline review · EI

Smart flies Aer Lingus

#17 Global 4-star airline Safety 9.2 · Excellent Safety

Photo: Bene Riobó / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0

Aer Lingus is Ireland's flag carrier, an IAG group airline outside the global alliances, operating transatlantic routes from Dublin with US Pre-Clearance and AerClub Avios shared with BA and Iberia.

Last updated 30 June 2026

Decision summary FlightLogic verified data · Updated 30 June 2026

Should I choose Aer Lingus for my next long-haul work trip?

Aer Lingus scores 8.0/10 (safety 9.2/10), ranking #17 globally — Wi-Fi is paid or route-dependent. Baggage: 1×23 kg long-haul economy; 2×32 kg business. Economy seat pitch: 30–32"; loyalty programme: AerClub (Avios). Full passenger policy tables, category scores, and the fares search follow below.

FlightLogic score: 8.0/10
Safety: 9.2/10
Global rank: #17
Wi-Fi policy: Paid Wi-Fi

Who should think twice about Aer Lingus

Scores mean naming who a carrier is NOT for. From our rated findings:

Dublin positioning adds time from UK regions
A321XLR narrowbody on some transatlantic routes

Pre-Trip Planning

Passenger policies at a glance

Policy data verified

Baggage, Wi-Fi, legroom, and lounge access for Aer Lingus — expand for the full matrix.

View full policy matrix Baggage · Wi-Fi · lounges · changes

Aer Lingus passenger policies
Cabin baggage	Included — standard carry-on allowance applies
Checked baggage	1×23 kg long-haul economy; 2×32 kg business
In-flight Wi-Fi	Paid Wi-Fi or messaging packages
Economy seat pitch	30–32"
Lounge access	Aer Lingus lounge DUB; oneworld Emerald/Sapphire
Changes & refunds	Flex fares allow changes; Saver restricted
Loyalty programme	AerClub (Avios)

Awards & Recognition

US Pre-Clearance at Dublin

Airline Details

IATA Code: EI
ICAO Code: EIN
Hub: Dublin (DUB)
Alliance: Independent
Founded: 1936
Fleet Size: 60 aircraft

Strengths

US Pre-Clearance at Dublin — arrive in US as domestic
AerClub shares Avios with BA and Iberia
Competitive transatlantic business vs direct LHR fares

Weaknesses

Dublin positioning adds time from UK regions
A321XLR narrowbody on some transatlantic routes

Day-of Travel Support

Aer Lingus travel facts

Verified baggage allowances, punctuality, fleet, safety and loyalty facts for Aer Lingus.

Baggage & fees

Cabin bag	55 × 40 × 24 cm, 10 kg + small item 25 × 33 × 20 cm; Saver ~£/€9.99 to carry aboard or checks it free · Up to 10 kg
Checked bag (economy)	Transatlantic Saver none; Smart/Flex 1 × 23 kg
Checked bag (business)	Business: up to 3 bags, 69 kg combined, max 32 kg each (source uncertain — verify before publishing)
Seat selection	Saver pays; free on Smart/Flex
Change fee	Varies by fare; flexible fares free, Saver fees + fare difference

Full baggage & fees comparison Check your carry-on bag

Punctuality

Not currently tracked.

Unverified — not in Cirium 2025 regional top 10s; no comparable published annual figure found

Punctuality is 20% of the FlightLogic score — see our methodology.

Fleet & cabins

Fleet size: 60 aircraft
Average age: Not available
Main types: A330-200/300, A321LR/XLR, A320
Economy pitch: 31–32 in
Business seat: Fully flat staggered on A330; throne seats on A321LR
Wi-Fi: Paid on long-haul; not available shorthaul

Safety

Registry status: IOSA-registered

IOSA-registered; Irish IAA oversight

FlightLogic editorial safety score: 9.2/10 — our own assessment, separate from IOSA registry status.

Loyalty

Programme: AerClub
Currency: Avios

Tiers: Green, Silver, Platinum, Concierge

Rating history

Q3 2026 8.0/10 Current quarter

Quarterly tracking began Q3 2026 — earlier scores were not archived.

About Aer Lingus

Aer Lingus is Ireland's flag carrier, an IAG group airline outside the global alliances, operating transatlantic routes from Dublin with US Pre-Clearance and AerClub Avios shared with BA and Iberia.

Key strengths: US Pre-Clearance at Dublin — arrive in US as domestic. AerClub shares Avios with BA and Iberia. Competitive transatlantic business vs direct LHR fares. Areas for improvement: Dublin positioning adds time from UK regions. A321XLR narrowbody on some transatlantic routes.

Editorial Aer Lingus Reviews

Airline Reviews

Aer Lingus Review 2026: Business Class, Dublin Hub & AerClub Avios

Ireland's flag carrier — competitive transatlantic business class from Dublin, AerClub Avios, and US Pre-Clearance for UK–North America routings.

July 6, 2026 Emma Walsh 14 min read

Verified reader reviews

Coming soon

We are building verified reader reviews for Aer Lingus. Readers will be able to submit a review with proof of travel — a boarding pass or booking confirmation — emailed to [email protected].

Reader scores are published separately from FlightLogic editorial ratings and never change the editorial score.

Aer Lingus — Frequently Asked Questions

Is Aer Lingus a good airline?

Aer Lingus scores 8.0/10 overall on FlightLogic (4-Star) — an editorial expert rating, not an aggregate of consumer reviews. Strengths include US Pre-Clearance at Dublin — arrive in US as domestic; AerClub shares Avios with BA and Iberia.

What is Aer Lingus's safety score?

Aer Lingus scores 9.2/10 on FlightLogic's safety index — calculated separately from passenger experience using IOSA certification, accident history, fleet age, and regulatory compliance.

What alliance is Aer Lingus in?

Aer Lingus is not a member of a global airline alliance.

Where is Aer Lingus's hub?

Aer Lingus's primary hub is Dublin (DUB). The airline was founded in 1936 and operates approximately 60 aircraft.

Compare Aer Lingus Send Feedback

Similar Airlines

#6 EK

Emirates

United Arab Emirates · Dubai (DXB)

8.7 Excellent

5-Star

#7 TK

Turkish Airlines

Turkey · Istanbul (IST)

8.6 Excellent

4-Star

#9 EY

Etihad Airways

United Arab Emirates · Abu Dhabi (AUH)

8.3 Excellent

5-Star