Fly to Ireland, Europe & North America with Aer Lingus
Everything you need for a smooth journey — from booking and seat selection to baggage, check-in, and rewards. Have a question about your trip? Speak with a travel support specialist any time.
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Our travel guide answers the most common Aer Lingus questions. For personalized help with new bookings, changes, cancellations, or refunds, call the support line below.
Travel support+1 (844) 734-0813- New reservations & fare questions
- Date changes, upgrades & seat selection
- Baggage allowance & special items
- Cancellations, refunds & travel credit
Ireland's flag carrier, connecting continents since 1936
Aer Lingus is the national airline of Ireland and one of the oldest carriers in the world, having taken to the skies for the first time in 1936. What began as a single aircraft flying between Dublin and Bristol has grown into a modern network that links Ireland with the United Kingdom, mainland Europe, and North America. For millions of travellers, the airline's shamrock livery is a familiar and welcome sight, a symbol of the warm Irish hospitality that defines the onboard experience.
Operating from its primary hub at Dublin Airport, with additional bases in Cork and Shannon, Aer Lingus has built a reputation as an efficient bridge between Europe and the Americas. Its transatlantic service is especially popular because Dublin offers US Customs and Border Protection preclearance, meaning passengers heading to the United States complete immigration formalities before they even board. When you land in the US, you arrive as a domestic passenger, saving valuable time on connections.
This guide is an independent travel resource designed to help you understand how to book, manage, and get the most from your Aer Lingus journey. Whether you are planning a first trip to Ireland, connecting onward to Europe, or crossing the Atlantic, the sections below walk you through each stage of the travel experience in plain language.
How to book an Aer Lingus flight
Booking a flight with Aer Lingus starts with choosing the route and dates that suit your plans. When you search for a journey, you will typically be presented with a fare grid so you can compare prices across nearby days and pick the best value. Short-haul flights across Europe are sold in fare bundles such as Saver, Plus, and Advantage, while long-haul transatlantic routes offer Economy, Premium, and Business Class cabins. Each fare tier includes a different mix of baggage allowance, seat selection, and flexibility, so it is worth reading what is bundled before you decide.
If you are travelling as a family or group, booking everyone on the same reservation keeps your seats and schedule together and makes any later changes simpler to manage. Travellers with specific needs — such as travelling with an infant, requesting special assistance, carrying sports equipment, or flying with an assistance animal — should add those details at the time of booking so the airline can prepare in advance. When a request cannot be completed online, or when you simply prefer to talk it through with a person, a reservations specialist can build the itinerary with you over the phone.
Fares are dynamic, which means prices rise and fall based on demand, season, and how far ahead you book. As a general rule, booking a few weeks to a few months in advance gives you the widest choice of fares, and midweek departures are often cheaper than peak weekend flights. Always double-check the passenger names against your passport before paying, because names on a ticket must match your travel document exactly.
Changes, cancellations & refunds
Plans change, and knowing your options ahead of time removes a lot of stress. The three cards below summarise the most common trip management tasks. Because the exact rules depend on the fare you purchased, keep your booking reference handy and confirm the specific terms before making a change.
Change a date or flight
Most fares allow date and time changes for a fee plus any difference in fare. Flexible fares reduce or waive the change fee. Making changes earlier usually costs less than waiting until close to departure.
Cancel a reservation
Depending on your fare, a cancellation may qualify for a refund, a travel credit for future use, or forfeiture of the fare. Taxes and certain charges may be refundable even on non-refundable tickets.
Request a refund
Eligible refunds are returned to the original form of payment. Processing times vary by payment method and bank. Keep any confirmation you receive so you can follow up if needed.
If your flight is delayed, cancelled by the airline, or rescheduled, you may be entitled to rebooking on the next available service or a refund, and in some cases to care such as meals or accommodation under applicable passenger rights rules. When a disruption happens, reach out promptly so a support specialist can walk you through your options at +1 (844) 734-0813.
What you can bring on board
Baggage rules are one of the most searched travel topics, and understanding them before you reach the airport can save you money and time. Your allowance depends on the fare you booked, the cabin you are travelling in, and whether your trip is short-haul within Europe or long-haul across the Atlantic. Always weigh and measure your bags at home, because gate-checked and overweight bags usually cost more than paying for the right allowance in advance.
Cabin baggage
Every passenger is generally allowed a small personal item that fits under the seat. Larger carry-on bags may be included on higher fares or added for a fee. Size and weight limits apply, and bags exceeding them may need to be checked at the gate.
Checked baggage
Checked bags can be added when you book or later through your reservation. Buying an allowance in advance is almost always cheaper than paying at the airport. Standard bags have both weight and dimension limits before overweight fees apply.
Special & sports items
Golf clubs, bicycles, skis, and musical instruments can usually travel as checked items, sometimes with special handling. Because these items need space to be reserved, arrange them ahead of time rather than at the airport.
Getting to your gate stress-free
Check-in confirms your seat and produces your boarding pass. Online check-in typically opens well before departure and is the fastest way to secure your seat, add bags, and head straight to the airport with a mobile boarding pass. If you are checking luggage, give yourself extra time to use a bag-drop counter.
Online & mobile check-in
Check in from your phone or computer, then store your boarding pass in a mobile wallet. This is ideal for hand-baggage-only trips where you can go directly to security.
Arrive with time to spare
Allow more time for long-haul and international departures. Bag-drop and security queues can be long at peak times, and boarding closes before departure — never at the last minute.
Seat selection
Choose your seat during booking or check-in. Extra-legroom and preferred seats can be reserved for a fee, and travelling parties should select seats together early to avoid being split up.
For US-bound transatlantic flights departing Dublin and Shannon, remember to budget time for US preclearance. You complete American immigration and customs before boarding, which is a huge convenience on arrival but means you should reach the airport earlier than a typical European departure.
A network built around the Atlantic
Aer Lingus specialises in connecting Europe and North America through Ireland. That geography gives travellers a rare advantage: a compact, efficient hub in Dublin where European feeder flights meet transatlantic departures, all under one roof and, for US travellers, with immigration cleared before takeoff.
Ireland
Dublin · Cork · Shannon
Begin or connect your journey through Ireland's welcoming hubs, gateways to the Wild Atlantic Way, historic cities, and the emerald countryside.
United Kingdom & Europe
London · Amsterdam · Paris · Barcelona
A dense short-haul network links Ireland with major British and European cities for both business travel and weekend escapes.
North America
New York · Boston · Chicago · Toronto
Transatlantic flights with Dublin preclearance make crossing the Atlantic and connecting onward remarkably smooth.
Earning more with AerClub
AerClub is the Aer Lingus frequent flyer programme, built around Avios, the points currency shared across a family of partner airlines. Every time you fly on an eligible fare, you earn Avios that can later be spent on reward flights, seat upgrades, and other travel benefits. Members also collect tier points that determine their membership level, unlocking perks that make each journey more comfortable.
As you move up the tiers, benefits typically grow to include priority check-in, additional baggage allowance, lounge access, and priority boarding. Because Avios can be earned and spent with partner airlines and select retail partners, the programme rewards not only frequent flyers but also occasional travellers who plan their trips thoughtfully. Joining is free, and it is worth signing up before you book so your very first flight starts earning.
Earn Avios
Collect points on eligible flights and with partners across the Avios network.
Climb the tiers
Tier points unlock priority services, extra baggage, and lounge access.
Spend on rewards
Use Avios toward reward flights, upgrades, and travel extras.
Free to join
Membership costs nothing — sign up before booking to start earning right away.
Answers to common travel questions
How do I change or cancel my Aer Lingus flight?
You can manage a booking using your reservation reference and last name. Whether a change or cancellation is free, incurs a fee, or qualifies for a refund or travel credit depends on the fare you purchased. For help applying credit or handling a complex itinerary, call a support specialist who can review your specific booking.
What is the baggage allowance?
Allowances vary by fare and cabin. Every passenger generally gets a personal item, while larger cabin bags and checked luggage may be included or added for a fee. Buying checked baggage in advance is cheaper than at the airport, and overweight or oversized bags cost extra, so weigh and measure everything before you travel.
When can I check in and get my boarding pass?
Online and mobile check-in usually opens well ahead of departure and is the fastest option. Store your mobile boarding pass in your phone's wallet. If you have checked luggage, arrive early to use a bag-drop counter, and always allow extra time for international and transatlantic departures.
What is US preclearance and why does it matter?
On US-bound flights from Dublin and Shannon, you clear American immigration and customs before boarding. When you land in the United States you arrive as a domestic passenger, which makes onward connections much faster. Just remember to reach the airport earlier to allow time for the preclearance process.
How do I select or upgrade my seat?
Seats can be chosen during booking or at check-in. Standard seat selection may be included on some fares, while extra-legroom and preferred seats can be reserved for a fee. Groups and families should select seats together early. Cabin upgrades may be available depending on the route and availability.
How can I speak to a real person about my trip?
For new bookings, changes, cancellations, refunds, baggage questions, or special assistance requests, you can reach a travel support specialist by phone at +1 (844) 734-0813. Have your booking reference and passenger details ready so your call can be handled quickly.
Still have a question? Call our travel support line at +1 (844) 734-0813.
Have a question about your Aer Lingus journey?
From new reservations and fare comparisons to date changes, cancellations, refunds, baggage, and special assistance, a travel support specialist is ready to help. Keep your booking reference and passenger details close so your call can be resolved quickly.