We just came back from a trip, thought I’d share some info in case anyone else is considering this route. We booked the tickets back in March, $650 per person is a bargain for summer time. We didn’t pay anything extra (it’s almost $40 per person to pick a seat). Our automatically assigned seats were in the front of the plane both ways. From RDU on Sunday, the plane was half empty (or half full :) ), we got seats together, on the way back (Tuesday) plane was almost full, we got seats in the same row but split.
The plane is small, it’s same size as you’d see on major domestic routes: 6 seats per row, 34 or so rows. Seat quality is also just average (in economy). I took a picture of the business class seats, they don’t look like much of an upgrade, tbh.
The plane is boarded from the back, starting with rows 30+, then 25+, etc. The restrooms for economy are all the way in the back. The ones in front are used by business class only.
Very hard to get any sleep on the outbound flight. There are only about 4 hours you’re left alone between the meal services and landing, their ambient light and screens are super bright. If you want to get any sleep, bring ear plugs and eye mask.
Note that when booking, you won’t see an option to order a special meal (e.g. vegetarian or kids meal). This needs to be done separately after booking but no less than 48 hours before the flight. There is a special form on their website to do that. They seem to have the same meal options on all flights: chicken or pasta (pasta is vegetarian). Flying from DUB back quality was a bit better. You get just one drink (soda, beer or wine), don’t recommend white wine - it’s served warm from a can and is not good. On flight from RDU, we got a warm breakfast wrap for second meal, going back just a cold cheese sandwich. Coffee was clearly instant. Also, since this flight is under 8 hours, no ice cream. :(
Some logistics tips in Dublin.
- For public transport, you need either coins or a card called Leap. The visitor cards can be ordered online in advance or purchased at the airport. Or you can buy a card for 5 EUR and load any amount on it. We found this option more economical since we didn’t ride that much. (Dublin is pretty small and transport routes aren’t super convenient to move between the typical tourist destinations, expect to walk a lot.) Regular cards are sold at any convenience store like Centra. On buses, you enter through the front door (there are no signs about it) and tap your card on the device somewhere near driver. On a tram (called Lua), you tap on the stop before boarding and then tap again when you get off. Oddly, you might need to hail a bus on the bus stop like you would a cab, otherwise they could just drive by.
- Regular buses from the airport take forever to get anywhere. There is an express bus that goes faster to the city center. Tickets are 9 EUR online or 10 at the bus stop. Taxi to our hotel was only 30 EUR, so with 3 of us it made more sense. You can use Uber, Bolt or Freenow by Lyft (separate app, regular Lyft doesn’t work). Bolt was cheapest. Airport signage is pretty good for all the transport options.
- On the way back, you can take 2 liters of liquid in carry-on in any container size. DUB operates similar to Toronto airport: you pass US security there and then just deplane like it’s a domestic flight in RDU. Get your duty free shopping done before you cross over.
- You don’t need any cash, tap/card payments are accepted everywhere. We had some euros from a previous trip and didn’t use any.
Additional thread on the subject: https://www.reddit.com/r/raleigh/s/nxV4C5HaM7
Safe travels!