Using the multi-city function on airline websites usually allows stacking 3 flights on one ticket, but I don’t see a way to do it here.
Specifically want to book something like this:
MSP >> Berlin Mid-March
BUD >> DUB. 2 weeks later
DUB >> MSP 3 days later.
I don’t see a way to do it. I can book 1 and 3 on one ticket and then buy 2 as a separate ticket (all Aer Lingus), but one ticket is likely cheaper if there’s a way to do it.
I had problems with Aer Lingus's multi-city function. I used Orbitz, which allowed me to do a multi-city itinerary, but suffered the usual 3rd party booking problems. Unable to select seats ahead of time, if that is important to you. Otherwise, everything was smooth.
Well like Icelandair they advertise 7 week stopovers at no additional fare so there’s no way to take advantage of that without 3 flights. Maybe you have to call? I can’t book BUD >>. MSP directly because the 20 hour layover is prohibited or something, so need a stopover in Dublin for it to work.
Sam:
You're absolutely right, I can book it on one ticket with Orbitz. Since I get the same (the Orbitz) price on Aerlingus.com by booking 1 + 3 open jaw as one ticket then flight 2 as a separate ticket I guess I will just do that, but then have to pay for the luggage on that segment. I suspect it might be best to call.
The need to pay baggage fees for internal European flights that are non-connecting to intercontinental flights is a new wrinkle I learned this year.
Another oddity: I can't book MSP>>PRG on the Aerlingus site, but I can on Orbitz with a perfect 2-1/4 hour layover. Seems like that would be a no brainer flight connection to offer. Seems like any connection less than 6 hours, or overnight, is blocked on aerlingus.com, but readily offered on 3rd party sites. Why would that possibly be?
Not sure if it's any help but have you tried booking it through one of their airline partner websites? Aer Lingus is a codeshare parter with United and some other airlines, so perhaps checking through their sites (that have the option to Add Destination) on a multi-city search can yield an Aer Lingus itinerary with decent pricing. And booking through a partner isn't the same as with a 3rd party booking site.
I ran into a similar situation with Aer Lingus last. I was looking for tickets for Hartford-Venice/Milan-Hartford and could not get them on the Aer Lingus website. The itinerary was available on Expedia. Since I prefer to book directly with the airline, I contacted Aer Lingus to ask them about this. They responded but did not explain why the itinerary was not available on the website. I ended up using a different airline and a different departure city for the trip anyway. Friends of ours were looking for a similar flight to Italy, and I reluctantly advised them to use a third party site.
We like Aer Lingus because it is the only caririer that flies directly to Europe from our home airport. Also, we like being able to go through US customs and immigration in Dublin on the way home.
1885BD has a good suggestion. I would also try the British Airways website, since BA is the parent company of Aer Lingus.
I didn't find the United or American or BA websites allowed booking of the flights, either. Also noting that Aer Lingus has no toll free number to call.
Well, hearing this is the norm then maybe 3rd party sites are the only way to buy some basic Aer Lingus tickets.
(800) 474-7424 is the advertised number for Aer Lingus reservations in the USA/Canada.
Marco: thanks, I see the toll free number now, for some reason not listed on top.
Also in the FAQ it says Dublin stopovers must be booked via phone, and that the min connection time NA >> Europe in Dublin on Aerlingus is only 60 min, so no issues there.
Basically still a phone based operation apparently.
Aer Lingus has a lot of the features of a lo-cost carrier particularly short-haul, so multi-leg trips are not common with much of its user base.
