TRIP REPORT: Donuts in Dublin – EI263 Birmingham to Dublin

EI263 Birmingham to Dublin – Donuts in Dublin
With Aer Lingus

In this fun day out

• Donuts in Dublin
• Off to BHX
• EI263 Birmingham to Dublin Airport
• Watching planes on the mound
• Back through the Irish Shopping Maze
• EI3276 Dublin to Birmingham
• What is this bus up to?
• Community is everything

EI263 Birmingham Airport to Dublin Airport
Aer Lingus, Airbus A320, Seat 26A
200 miles flown, 7.5 Tier Points Earned, 93 Avios earned

Editor’s note: Yes I’ve actually earned Avios on an Aer Lingus flight. Rather than hope for codeshares and cross-IAG sharing, it’s easier to put the Avios in an AerClub/Avios account and pull them over into my main BA account.  I’ll write about this some time. It’s worth it. 

Of course, getting through the boarding pass scan means nothing, when the first thing you walk into is a queue to get on the tarmac.

There was hold at this area for a couple of minutes before the ground crew were happy to let us head towards the plane.

Airports. One of the sole reasons dot matrix printer companies are still in business. 

And it seems there was a breakdown of communication somewhere along the line because the crew weren’t ready for us – with passengers’ queueing on the tarmac too.

However, with all checks completed, our A320 was ready for boarding. Of course, with a seat at the back of the plane, I headed to the rear entrance. No point in fighting up or down a cabin unless I had to. With Row 26 out of 30 – it would make for a speedy exit.

Or so I thought.

So, welcome aboard this Aer Lingus Airbus A320. This one is fitted with the traditional seats, with a winged headrest and its slimline. For a 50 minute or so hop though – it’s not a flying bench – something to be grateful for.

Legroom… more than passable. 

Overhead panel. With air vents. 

With passengers making their way aboard quickly enough, it was a welcome sight to see. What was not so welcome was one of the luggage belts breaking down – associating a short delay.

Oh well. Not a lot you can do about that.

Thankfully, the middle seat on this flight was free. Whilst the plane was busy, it was by no means full, and as usual, the extra space is always welcome for both passengers.

Everyone’s favourite seat-mate – Mr/Mrs/Miss/Other “Not sitting in this seat”

With the plane doors sealed, it was time for a safety demonstration. As always on Aer Lingus short-haul (or until the A321LR’s enter the fleet), this is conducted manually, with a live voice-over (as opposed to a pre-recorded one).

 

 
And also a good time to check the safety card too. 

With that, our A320 begun its taxi around Birmingham Airport, taxing towards the far end of the runway extension.

Swiss Airbus A220

The FlyBe de Havilland Q400… how long is this livery meant to last after the recent takeover…?

With no traffic inbound to wait for, our A320 started a rolling takeoff and headed into the morning skies.

Morning Bab. 

Unrelated: Don’t you just hate scratched up windows… 

And into the clouds. 

With a smooth climb out, the seatbelt signs were released quickly enough, and the crew began their on-board service.  As this is was a50-minute flight – I wasn’t overly interested, but it’s always interesting to see what is on offer – with the usual selection of drink, Irish breakfasts… and this pie.

Mac and Cheese Pie. Yes people, apparently this is a thing. 

I was tempted if I was honest. But it seems a lot for a 50-minute leg.

Well, it takes all sorts at 35,000ft… And this falls into that category nicely.

I settled down to enjoy the outside vies – with lots of fluffy clouds.

Service on a flight like this matters, as the crew has to deliver what it needs to and clear it up in the 50 minutes allowed – and this crew were well-rehearsed on this run, conducting a full Buy-on-Board service and duty-free sales, and clearing down the cabin in time.

You must be this hipster to use these headphones. 

Meanwhile, the Captain and Air Traffic Control were not hanging around, with them granting us a straight into Dublin Approach

breaking through the cloud layer and the Irish sea visible 

The Irish Coastline

With the cabin secured back down, EI263 began its approach to Dublin. With the cloud cover clearing, the emerald isle appeared, with the city of Dublin in the distance.

Dublin’s fair city in the distance. 

With ease, the EI263 touched down at its home base of Dublin Airport.

The plane had a long taxi to the Terminal 2 south gates, which does allow one to appreciate some of the traffic Dublin Airport gets – be it parked Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, right up to the latest Boeing 787-10, as well as all the green Aer Lingus tails.

The Fire Brigade training aircraft 

Federal Express Boeing 777F 

Norweigan Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft

Long haul tails 

Evelop Airbus A330

Our plane was directed to the Terminal 2 South Gates – the “overflow” area for Aer Lingus flight, where we slowed to a stop.

Turn…

And park. 

With the aircraft parked, steps met the plane. We were allowed to disembark into waiting buses, as I prepared for the next part of my Dublin Odyssey.

Overall

Whilst it might have been an up and down service, there’s a few things to note – the crews warmness and their ability to conduct all their sales and service within 50 minutes. With the a tough timetable like that and a crew being able to smile throughout, along with making time for passengers, it rates highly on my the passenger experience scale.

Next: Watching planes on a mound

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