I am flying aer lingus and they only allow a carry on to weigh 13 pounds. My bag weighs 3lb 10 oz (ebags). I pack light but that may be difficult. Do you know how strict they really are? Is it worth bringing that little to avoid checking in luggage. We are flying into Dublin airport and also Heathrow. Thank you!
Not sure the question you are asking. Picking up checked luggage is about the same in every airport, Our most recent experience with HRow in September was average. Haven't been through Dublin. HRow has a reputation for misplacing bags between transfers but if it is a direct flight -- probably better. Again no experience with aer lingus but our experience with other European discount airlines is that they can be death on weight and size. After all it is a major source of additional revenue for them.
I have flown into Dublin and Heathrow both, and had no trouble picking up my checked luggage. There were no long delays or anything (the longest delay I had before retrieving my bag was in Chicago when I was coming home). I know a lot of people swear by the carryon-only method, but in light of how strict many carryon rules are, I have no hesitations about checking a bag, particularly when taking a nonstop
flight.