I'm starting to map out our summer holiday, which is looking like July. My wife and her sisters are planning a get together , and it looks like she will be staying an extra week, so I am somewhat bound by some dates. Unfortunately, Aer Lingus doesn't yet have flights posted for Dulles to Shannon routes. I'm thinking about a week in Galway including an overnight on Inis Oirr, followed by a week in West Cork, possibly Glengarriff. One challange will be shopping for separate flights given different return dates. As usual, any and all suggestions are welcome and hoped for.
I used kayak and expedia to find my flights for March 2013. Not all airlines are on kayak so I checked daily on both sites. I ended up finding a flight from Expedia. (my two cents) ;)
I didn't have any luck finding a decrease in flight cost this time. I searched religiously, considered flying out of and returning to Boston (direct from Aer Lingus) and nothing came low. I finally took a flight in and out of Bradley on U.S. Airways with connections, of course. Hopefully, we're not disappointed...last two times we were happy with Aer Lingus.
Anyway, sounds like you have a fabulous group going! So much fun! :)
-- Edited by Maggie117 on Wednesday 19th of December 2012 05:34:59 PM
Maggie- I don't usually book until January or sometimes February. I have looked on those sights and fares are high. I usually get my best airfare directly on the Aer Lingus sight. JetBlue is a partner airline and flying from Virginia is usually a pain in the neck. There is a direct flight from Dulles to Dublin but Dublin is not my first choice of destination. Thank you for your suggestions.
I don't use Aer Lingus often but with Ryanair cutting the SNN LPL run until the end of March I am stuck with SNN.MAN and the expensive option. Anyway,,booking Chris's Sister to come over next February I have saved 20% by booking as two separate flights. Inbound in £ sterling from Manchester, but the return at a cheaper price and in E euro for the return. might be an anomaly but worth a look?
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Two rules for Ireland, Take your time & bring a sense of humour
I have looked at separate flights, and in this case, it might make more sense as my wife is asking to fly back to JFK with her sister who lives in Brooklyn. When the sisters gather, they come from many directions, including California, Virginia, Brooklyn, Manchester England, and Co Longford. Typically, Aer Lingus routes through Boston when flying from Dulles. many airlines have unfortunately ended their routes to Shannon. I hear that Aer Lingus is considering a JFK to Cork route. That would be worth a look.
The Cork route is Dublin Airports kick in the teeth for Shannon, Having cobbled SNN to justify terminal 2 they are now trying to Justify another upgrade to Cork. The probability is that they will undercut the prices for Cork to tempt some carriers. It would be cynical for me to suggest that the Government having shares in DAA and COR would also push Aer Lingus away from SNN.
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Two rules for Ireland, Take your time & bring a sense of humour
Oh, I'm not traveling with a group! My wife and I will tour and she will join up with her sisters later. I do enjoy visiting with my brother-in-laws in Co Westmeath and Co Longford. Airfare is always a crap shoot that I find somewhat stressful. I'll be glad when I get that done as the rest of the planning can't be finished until travel dates are set.
Roy, checked my ITA app for flights Dulles to SNN and there are no direct flights showing up. The best I can find are for July 2 and July 9 for $1022, but that includes a 3 1/2 layover at JFK, the first leg being jetBlue and the 2nd leg AerLingus. Does AerLingus normally add flights out of Dulles to SNN for the tourist season? Delta had a flight for $1096 thru LGA New York, and United had a flight for $1116 thur Newark. Pretty slim pickens, huh! Hopefully SNN going independent will help lure some more airlines and flights. Good luck! DAn
Nobody operates direct to Shannon from Dulles. I've always found flights under $800. The number of airlines flying to Shannon has been drastically reduced sadly. We have always connected through either Boston Logan or JFK. Once, we flew Delta directly out of JFK.
Checked on ITA app once again and used JFK direct SNN, and found a non-stop flight for $833 departing July 3 on Delta, (14 night stay), as well as July 9 for $840, July 16 & 17 for $846, and july 22,23,24 departures for $833-840. Those are better than what is being offered out of Dulles. Would you be able to drive to JFK for the price difference? Would someone take you to Dulles? or would you have to pay for 14 days parking at JFK? Lots of variables to consider when planning these trips! Oh...and Aer Lingus offered a $784 flight, out of JFK with layovers in Dublin AND Edi before landing in shannon!!!! go figure!
