aerlingus.com

Disappointing Business Class Experience from Dublin to Boston

My partner surprised me with a trip to Boston for my 40th birthday, flying in business class. Unfortunately, the experience did not meet the expectations set by a national flag carrier. Check-in was friendly, but we were informed that the lounge was closed for renovations and received unclear instructions regarding a “voucher” and “allocated seating” near a fast-food outlet—neither of which actually happened. With no alternative lounge provided and lacking clear directions, we went directly to pre-clearance and the gate, where there were no business-class amenities at all. The aircraft was a new model: reasonably comfortable, but as a single-aisle jet, boarding felt cramped, with all passengers passing through the business section. Unsurprisingly, no pre-flight drinks were offered—something I’ve never encountered in business class with any airline. Once airborne, the service was slow. Despite taking off at 11:57, our first drink didn’t arrive until 12:39. The crew was friendly but clearly overwhelmed given the cabin size. An inoperative oven in the forward galley meant that starters and mains were served at the same time, contributing to a sense of disorganization. There were some positives: when drinks finally came, the cabin manager generously increased portions, hot towels were provided, the entertainment options were good, and both the cabin and toilet were clean. The flight itself was smooth and the aircraft comfortable. However, there was no second drink service—passengers had to approach the galley to request more. A light snack was provided before landing, and the cabin manager kept the atmosphere light with his humor, but overall, the experience felt inconsistent and underwhelming given the cost of a business-class ticket. In summary, the company needs to improve its service. For the price, one would expect a more polished and reliable experience. Without a functioning lounge, no pre-flight service, slow onboard delivery, and understaffing, the whole experience felt lacking. For future long-haul flights, I’d suggest considering other carriers. While I’ll continue using this airline for short hops, for trips like this, we’ll be looking elsewhere.

Date of experience: Dec 09, 2025