Aer Lingus Review from Golden oldie 1

Do not book any upgrades with Aer Lingus.
I had the misfortune of doing this in August of 2025. It was my grandson’s 21st, my husband is turning 80 this year, I had celebrated my 70th earlier that year and I was 5 yrs cancer free. All things to celebrate. So I decided to upgrade us to business class for our return flight from Florida.

All was well initially. However, when I requested a mimosa they said they didn’t have the ingredients and recommended a cocktail which was some awful whisky concoction. Later the food service began. I had a sliver of cured trout, which, while small, was very tasty. Unlike the beef, which was so tough and dry that it was inedible. They took my uneaten food away and I opted for the cheese. The cheese was nice but the biscuits were stale and soggy. They took them away, and unable to give me fresh ones, they gave me the biscuits that were handed out with the drinks.

Later my so-called lay-flat seat turned out to be broken. A problem I am sure that would have been reported on the outbound journey. I was offered a lay-flat seat across the aisle from my husband next to a complete stranger. I could not settle as I was very self-conscious so I returned to my seat. The following morning, breakfast was served. It was a choice of granola, bacon roll or fruit. Surely for the cost, all three should have been offered. I don’t have a large appetite, but I had only had a sliver of fish and a small piece of cheese.

On my return home I filled in an online complaints form and was given a case number but nothing happened. I phoned customer services and they said it was with the case handlers and someone would be in touch. They didn’t. I phoned again and was advised to put in another form which I did several times. Each time putting in my details. Flight number, ticket number, seat number, and passenger details. It’s as if nothing had been stored regarding my complaint, and each time I was given a different case number. I phoned customer serviced many time asking if I could speak to the case handler and was told that it was not possible. Eventually I received a rather unhelpful email apologising saying that they had fallen below the standards I should have expected and would strive to do better next time. Next time! No chance. I would never use that airline again and would advise anybody else to avoid it. I replied to the email stating that I should receive some sort of recompense in the form of a partial refund. To date they have not even acknowledged my request. I am now talking 7 months.

I for one am not sorry to see them go from Manchester. I am sorry for people like some friends of mine who were caught up in the mess caused by Aer Lingus. They had to book new tickets with another airline and it cost more money. Aer Lingus were still taking bookings right up to withdrawing from Manchester. I have travelled business class several times previously. But never have I had such a dire experience as this. Save yourself upset and fly with someone else.