Aer Lingus Regional EI3276 Dublin to Birmingham- Donuts in Dublin
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
EI3276 Dublin Airport to Birmingham Airport
Seat 4F, Economy Class, Aer Lingus Regional ATR72-600 (Operated by Stobart Air)
200 miles flown, 7.5 Tier Points Earned, 63 Avios earned.
I was welcomed aboard at the rear of the aircraft (as one does aboard the ATR family) and headed to the front of the aircraft.
I headed towards to front of the plane and found my seat at 4F.
The seats aboard this aircraft are Acro Series 3 Ultra seats, pitched at 29”, with a 17” seat width. For the short-haul hop this configuration, this is more than enough. And I’m going to be bluntly honest – the Acro Series 3 Ultra is a very good seat for short-haul hops. Whilst it might be pre-reclined, honestly, it’s the right seat for the right job.
Tray table deployed.
This is something important – because having the wrong seat installed compromises on space, legroom and personal area. It’s a major upgrade over the normal Geven short haul seat – but will face comeption from the Neoclassic/NeoPrestige seats that ATR and Geven have worked on.
With the aircraft ¾ loaded and no further passengers boarding, it was time to close up the door.
Oh yes. Proper overhead vents too.
The safety demonstration was carried out, with the demo carried out as an audio recording and cabin crew interacting as needed.
With the demo complete, that ATR set off. And with ATR being a typical ATR, the pilot drove around the field like a boy racer.
Well – nothing changes on this front.
Let’s taxi.
With no other aircraft in the way, the ATR72 turboprops spun up to speed and headed into the air.
There are various places to sit in an ATR – but there’s nothing like sitting near the front, with the turboprop spinning away as the aircraft as it climbs into the air and crosses the Irish sea.
With the ATR airborne, the crew were quick to carry out a Bia buy-on-board service. This service was abbreviated from the normal service (mainly as the ATR’s don’t have ovens – so no Mac and Cheese Pie for you on this flight) – mainly, it’s pre-packaged items.
The flight was a sluggish one, but it was an enjoyable one as ATR’s can, with the crew clearing down the rubbish generated.
By the time this was done, we had crossed the Irish Sea, and over Wales, as the turboprop continued on its way to Birmingham
With the aircraft passing Birmingham, it started its long line up for Birmingham – heading towards Warwick and Coventry, before turning back for Birmingham Airport
With ease, the ATR72-600 landed at Birmingham Airport and peeled on the runway quickly – as opposed to going down a full runway – making for a short taxi back to the terminal area.
Jet2 Boeing 737-800 heading off
Parking up next to an exMonarch A321 (Thomas Cook) at TUI Boeing 757-200
With the aircraft parked at the gate, there was a short wait for a bus to arrive. With that, we were released from the plane
Overall: It may be an up and down service, with a limited offering. But there’s a bit to unpack here too in passenger experiance – and it shows that regional flying doesn’t have to be horrible if you put the right product for the right situation in.
And Aer Lignus Regional/Storbart Air show this off well with a well configured seat, a reasonable sales selection and a service speed so you don’t feel like you have to buy something.
A rather reasonable package overall.
Next: Where is this bus going?
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