Aer Lingus booking

On short haul flights Aer Lingus charges a fee if you check a bag (no fee for carry-on baggage).

You have the option to pre-pay your baggage check fee now (at, I belive, a slightly reduced rate), or pay at the airport when you check in.

If you got a really cheap airfare, it may be that they are telling you they won't cover lost baggage and probably will cover it only if you buy insurance through them (unless you already have a traveler's insurance policy you obtained on your own). It's just another way for the airlines to nickle and dime you...

The best way to go? Make sure your bag doesn't exceed their limit for a carry on. If that's not possible, then you might want to keep any expensive items with you in your carry on if you decide you aren't getting travel insurance or paying a supplement for lost luggage.

Thanks Ceidlhe, that's pretty much the conclusion that I've come to. I would pack everything to fit in carry on, but my traveling companion and I are planning on visiting several distilleries in Scotland and will probably end up with a bottle or two of whisky (from smaller places whose wares won't likely be available in duty-free) that will have to be checked. Alas for the days when such things could be carried on... all in the name of making flying safer though, so I can't complain too much =)

Be aware that Aer Lingus has a very strict weight limit for carry-ons. Approximately 13 pounds.

Thanks Frank, that's a good thing to know!

Have you checked into purchasing tickets from Edinburgh to Dublin from another carrier other than Aer Lingus? Check out: ryanair.com

Ayla -
I've booked a trip on Aer Lingus (about 3 weeks from now - yippee!!) and from what I was reading on the website, they are not only strict on the weight of the carry-on but for the size as well. It might behoove you to check it out also.
Happy travels!