Having spent a summer studying in Ireland many moons ago where I got a taste of authentic Irish hospitality and hearty traditional food, I wasn’t surprised to find that same level of warmth and delicious Irish fare flying Aer Lingus from Seattle to Dublin. As an Alaska Airlines Global Partner letting Mileage Plan members earn miles, Aer Lingus is an ideal choice when flying to Ireland. From the friendly and attentive cabin crew, to the excellent meal and drink options and, above all else, the comfortable and spacious business class seats that convert to lie-flat beds, it’s clear why Aer Lingus is a leader in business class travel.

And starting June 20, 2019, Mileage Plan members can redeem their Alaska miles to fly on Aer Lingus. Award travel to Dublin starts at just 30,000 miles each way.

Here are just a few reasons why I consider Aer Lingus business class to be one of my best air travel experiences to-date.

Legendary Irish hospitality

From the moment I boarded both the outbound and return flights, the cabin crew was the embodiment of first-class service. Prior to take-off, we were offered juice, champagne or a signature Irish cocktail. Once in the air, the flight attendants were quick to notice if my glass was empty and promptly topped off my drink.

Shortly after take-off, we were offered free WiFi vouchers for 400MB of data (and so began the dilemma deciding whether to surf the Web, watch one of a large selection of blockbuster movies or get a good night’s sleep).

On the return flight, while flying over Iceland, the captain encouraged all the passengers to stand and look out the windows to view one of Iceland’s spectacular volcanoes, Eyjafjallajökull. I’ve seen the volcano from the ground, but it’s an even more impressive view from about 30,000 feet above. Alerting the passengers to spectacular views was a nice touch on the captain’s part.

Ireland is also the only country in Europe to offer U.S. pre-clearance. All Aer Lingus flights to the U.S. pre-clear U.S. Immigration and Customs in Dublin, which enables guests to save time on arrival, the ultimate time-saving service!

Exceptional meal and drink selections

Just as the Irish love to (over) feed you on the ground, Aer Lingus business class demands that you come with a hearty appetite! First canapes, then a starter, main course, dessert … and after dessert? A small container of ice cream if you have any room left in your stomach.

On the menu, Aer Lingus does a good job offering Irish-inspired food with a modern twist, featuring freshly sourced ingredients from all over Ireland. While touring the country, I stayed in Lisdoonvarna for two nights where I ate the best smoked salmon I’ve ever tasted at the Burren Smokehouse. You can imagine how excited I was when I saw it listed on the menu as a starter paired with Toons Bridge Mozzarella and roasted red pepper!

I couldn’t tell you how breakfast tasted because I was sleeping so soundly that I slept right through it on both flights. On the return flight, I awoke shortly before beginning our descent, but the flight attendant was kind enough to offer me coffee or tea and a warm scone just 30 minutes before we landed. I can’t remember ever feeling so satisfied and refreshed getting off a red-eye long-haul flight.

Business class seating

While the attentive cabin crew and high-quality meal options were a big part of my overall flight experience, the highlight was the comfortable seat that transformed into a lie-flat bed. Most seats in business class have direct aisle access. I was seated in the middle row alongside another passenger, but despite not being in a solo seat, the center divider provided plenty of privacy. Each seat has ample storage, with either a foot-level cubby or a seat-level storage cabinet. When fully reclined, with a bed length of 6.5 feet and width of 22 inches, the seat provides ample room to get a good night’s rest.

A long-haul flight is usually a period of tiresome drudgery to be endured, but the Aer Lingus flight was an enjoyable and restful experience. I would not hesitate to recommend upgrading to a seat in Aer Lingus’ business class. You’ll be rested and ready to kick-off your adventure but, trust me, you won’t be ready to get off the plane!

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