Aer Lingus: Barcelona to Belfast

The carrier: Aer Lingus

About

Ireland's legacy flag carrier Aer Lingus has been morphing over the course of the last several years into a low-cost airline. Flying to major airports across Europe, and as of recently North America and Dubai, Aer Lingus is dependable and well established. Fares can be quite low, though advance purchase fares don't quite compare to those offered by that other Irish low-cost carrier, Ryanair.

Upside

Airline is well established and serves major airports.

Downside

Connections beyond Europe are not very good, thus dulling one distinctive draw. Frequent delays and unhelpful staff are common complaints.

Baggage

* Carry-on: One bag up to 10 kg (7kg for regional flights), plus one personal item.
* Checked: €12 per bag booked online (€18 at airport). Max 9 bags with combined weight of 20 kg. Over 20 kgs, fees apply. No single bag over 32 kg (70 lbs) is allowed.

* Please visit Aer Lingus’s website for more information on its baggage policy.

Seating

You may select seats online at time of booking.

Check-in and Ticketing

Aer Lingus offers online-check in for most flights and is available from 30 hours in advance until 4 hours and 30 minutes before the scheduled departure time.  Times vary for US airports.  Checked baggage is accepted from passengers who check-in online.

Fun Fact

All Aer Lingus planes bear the name of an Irish saint.

Departure: Barcelona, Spain - Barcelona International (BCN)

Barcelona International Airport, also known as El Prat, is the main airport serving Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. Barcelona is an extremely busy airport and during high season, it has a tendency to feel mobbed. The second busiest airport in Spain, it is also the primary base for Clickair and Vueling, two Spanish low-cost carriers, and serves many of Europe's other low-cost airlines. Over the years, future air traffic through Barcelona Airport has been increasing dramatically. As a result, plans for major improvements to both the airport's infrastructure and services are being conducted. These plans include a new terminal area, an expansion of the airfield and a new runway. Location: Barcelona International Airport is located 12 km away from the center of Barcelona, in El Prat de Llobregat. Transport: - Rail: Barcelona Airport is connected to the center city by train. The Aerobus train costs €2.50 and the RENFE train runs €3.45. Train journeys take about 40 minutes. For detailed information on airport connections to the Barcelona Metro System, as well as general maps and schedules, consult the metro's Official Website. - Bus: The night bus runs hourly from late night through early morning and costs just €1.25. The companies that serve Barcelona Airport include: EMT, ALSA, and Mon-Bus. Information on specific rates and schedules are available on their websites. You can also catch a bus to Lloret de Mar from Barcelona del Nord station in the city centre. They run very frequently and you can find a timetable and prices at the company’s Official Website. Bus service is available to the nearby country of Andorra as well (Andorra by bus). - Taxi: Taxi ranks are located outside the terminals. The journey to the city should take about a half hour. Keep in mind that fares change during holidays and nights. Airport and luggage supplements apply in addition to the fare. Service: Banks, currency exchanges, and ATMs can be found in both terminals as well as duty-free shops. Other shops include newsstands, bookstores and tobacconists. A post office can be found on the ground floor of Terminal B. Other airport facilities include a pharmacy, a 24-hour medical service, and children’s play areas.

Arrival: Belfast, United Kingdom - Belfast Intl (BFS)

Belfast International Airport is also known as Aldergrove, the name of a village west of the airport. The airport serves as a major base for the budget carriers easyJet and Jet2.com with bmibaby and Thomas Cook Airlines also having a large presence. In 2007, Aer Lingus opened a base at Belfast International Airport too. Location: Belfast International Airport is located 30 km (18 miles) northwest of Belfast. Transport: - Rail: For rail service to and from Belfast, Lisburn and Londonderry, travelers can take a taxi to the town of Antrim, six miles from the airport. Those who are traveling to Dublin can catch the high speed Enterprise train, which leaves from Belfast Central Station. - Bus: The Airport Express 300 bus operates a 24-hour service between the airport and Belfast, buses depart every 10 minutes. The bus stop is located opposite the terminal and the journey will take approximately 30-40 minutes (subject to traffic conditions). It's important to note that a special timetable may operate on Public Holidays. For the schedule of buses consult the company's Official Website. - Taxi: The International Airport Taxi Company serves as the official taxi operator for the airport. Taxis are available outside the airport's exit lobby. A list of sample fares is displayed in the exit hall of the terminal building. Service: In the airport, travelers can find postal services, cash machines, currency exchange, airport information, baby changing facilities, and a wide variety of shops and restaurants. The visitor information desk is located in the arrivals hall for all domestic and international passengers. more...