We want to fly into London (from Boston, MA) and out of Dublin, in August; so far it looks like the lowest rates involve flying Aer Lingus out of Boston, thru Dublin, with plane change to London; we will get ourselved from London to Belfast, then return flight from Dublin to Boston. Any suggestions?? Thanks
I really don't know what you're asking, but I will tell you that if you can avoid Heathrow somehow you will save a lot in landing fees. For example, my wife and I are flying to the UK on airline points next spring. To fly from Dallas to London and back using points cost $1274, all of that being airport fees. Flying from Dallas through New York into Manchester using points cost $174.
Charlotte - Sounds like you've got it pretty much nailed. Look at flying Easy Jet to Belfast. Looking at their web site you can snag fares for as low as $49 LON - BFS. Thomas - What airline were you looking at that would have cost you $1200 using points?
Maybe that is British Airways (to Heathrow) and that would be fuel charges, not landing fees.
You might look into booking round trip Boston/Dublin and using Ryanair to get to London. Right now they are showing €25 Dublin/Gatwick flights for August.
Leaving from Ireland does save the UK Air Passenger Duty, which if you were flying out of any airport in Great Britain to the USA is £60. If you fly direct from Belfast International to the USA without connecting in GB though, you only pay £12 in APD (which is also what is charged for flights from London to Dublin & Belfast). Aer Lingus add-ons to their transatlantic flights are not that expensive.
On your way home you will clear US border procedures at Dublin airport. It's another reason to get to the airport early rather than late. http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/toolbox/contacts/preclear_locations.xml#Ireland