FLYING business class is something very few of us do in our lives.
The epitome of luxury travel, business class is nothing but a mere dream for most.
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Whether you’ve been lucky enough to travel this way or not, most people have questions about what it’s really like.
Head of Customer Experience at Aer Lingus Marc Giles is spilling all, revealing the perks that come along with flying business class – even the most secretive ones.
Marc says that all Aer Lingus staff “work tirelessly” to ensure that anyone who flies with the airline has a positive experience.
But when it comes to the getting honest about what business class is really like, Marc wasn’t holding back.
He said: “Upon entering the exclusive Business Class cabin, customers can get settled in to their spacious seat featuring a whole range of benefits – full lie-flat seats with a 2-metre long bed with massage option and in-seat power with both AC plug and USB A&C ports.
“Customers will find a bottle of water, welcoming pillow and soft fabric duvet at their seat, along with their inflight menu listing the delicious choices available on board, as well as an amenity kit featuring products from luxury Irish skincare specialists, VOYA.
“Aer Lingus’ crew will invite customers to choose from Champagne, juice, water, or the exclusive Aer Lingus Signature Cocktail.
“There’s also the same extensive entertainment options as in Economy, with the added benefit of comfy noise-cancelling headphones to provide the most immersive experience.
“We offer unlimited free wifi to our Business Class customers, allowing them to stay connected throughout their flight.
“After take-off, we offer a full complimentary bar service with a range of award-winning wines selected by our partners at Febvre, along with beers, spirits and liqueurs.
“As a pre-dinner nibble, we offer a tasty combo of crumbly drinks biscuits with a balsamic onion chutney from Burren Balsamics.”
When most people think of business class, one of the first thoughts that pop into your head is the food.
Unlike the heated up meals served on long-haul flights for those in economy, the meals given in business are on a different level.
Marc said: “Our Business Class menus are refreshed regularly to ensure that the meals reflect seasonality, with a focus on fresh produce.
“All of our meals are developed by the culinary experts at Dnata, who cater for some of the most premium airlines worldwide.
“Our cuisine features the finest Irish produce and a fusion of delicious world flavours, inspired by where we fly to.
“Served on white chinaware and with metal cutlery and glassware, this really is a restaurant-style experience in the sky.
“For customers on shorter overnight flights departing the USA, we offer an Express Dining option, allowing customers to have a quick bite to eat so they can maximise rest time.”
With far more leg room, unlimited wifi and a menu worth of meal options, there is one extra perk that comes with flying business – the airport lounge.
Marc said: “Business Class customers flying into Dublin Airport, Aer Lingus has a Revival Lounge where customers can freshen up with a shower, coffee and snacks.
“There’s even a clothes pressing service for anyone who is heading straight to a meeting and needs to look their best.”
Aside from business class, Marc admitted that there is one surprising thing that many passengers have made a habit of while on board.
Despite films like Oppenheimer, Killers of the Flower Moon and The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes all available to watch on board, many passengers opt to watch the world go by instead – with the interactive map.
Marc said: “We have noticed there’s a huge interest in Irish scenery content as many of our customers may be travelling to Ireland on holidays and are keen to research what’s in store.
“Surprisingly, out of all the content we offer, the interactive map that shows the flight in transit is still what our customers view the most!”
In 2023, Aer Lingus served 10.7million passengers as well as operating its largest ever North American network.
Aer Lingus is now set to operate a new US route from Dublin to Denver and re-launch their Dublin-Minneapolis-St. Paul route.
The Denver route will begin from May 17 while the Minneapolis route will commence on April 29.
This will bring the total number of Aer Lingus routes operated between Ireland and North America to 18.
