Aer Lingus - How early do I need to be at the airport if I check in online?

You know that their carryon limit is 13 lbs, right? They will check your bag and if it is overweight (or over their size limits) you will have to pay 18 euros to check it. I don't know how much it would delay the process, but if there is a chance you might have to check your bag allow time for that. They suggest you arrive 2 hr 30 minutes in advance of your flight. Two hours is probably fine.

Are the definitely checking all carry-on bags for weight now? I've done a good bit of research and it seemed like the consensus was most of the time they didn't bother checking weight as long as it looked like it was within the size parameters (which mine is). It will however be overweight, unless we decide to check them from the beginning, as that is my main bag for the trip (standard 22" bag).

Also, if I check in online for the flight in advance, do I still need to be there that early? It looked like on the Aer Lingus website that there is a 45 min. cutoff time, but I wasn't sure. Also, if I check in online and use a kiosk at the airport, how will they be able to weigh my carry on?

Thanks in advance....

Hi Steven -
I have not flown Aer Lingus (will do so for first time this Aug so I am watching this thread) but have been on numerous other budget airlines around Europe. Your last question about how they will know the weight if you are at a kiosk.......my experience has been on some airlines, maybe you check-in at a self-serve kiosk but then you have to go to another station for your baggage b/c you may even need a tag for your bag in the cabin so there is a person there who will weigh it.
And on I have yet to fly on one of these airlines that just eyeballed a bag and determine weight was OK. They really put them on the scale.

I have flown with Aer Lingus on all three of my trips to Ireland. Yes, they do have a 45 minute cutoff for checking in for flights. And yes, they will actually weigh the bag, not just look at it. In my experience, checking in at the airport isn't that much slower than checking in online. You do still have to go through security, etc. Dublin is a busy airport, and I have had quick experiences there and slow ones -- there's no way to predict how long it will take, so you need to be sure to allow enough time in case you find you have to check your bag after all. One other thing -- if your 22" bag is wheeled, it will not meet the size requirements for carryon. A bag designated 22" by the manufacturer includes only the bag, not the extra length for the wheels.

If 2h30 is suggested I would stick to that if at all possible. It's better to have extra time than not enough. Plus it's nice to sit and relax, passenger watch, grab a drink and snack prior to boarding. That's my ritual...helps prep me for the flight ahead.

Safe Skies,

f/a

Thanks for the help everyone.

Nancy - I actually saw that a number of people have been surprised by the size requirement not including wheels. My bag is 22" with the wheels. I've measured it.

My flight is at 6:50AM. 2 1/2 hours would put me back to 4:20AM arriving at the airport. And the free shuttles don't run that early from the hotel I'm staying in (Crowne Plaza) so I'll have to pay E10 for a cab. It's not that I am not willing to get up early and make the trip - I certainly will if that's what has to be done. I was just looking for a way to maybe save a little time perhaps by checking in online.

Does anyone know about overweight cabin baggage? Do they simply make you pay the fee and let you carry on if it's within size limits or do they require you to check it? We will only have one bag each and it would be nice not to have to wait at the baggage claim in Scotland.

Thanks again for everyone's help!

If either the weight or the size is over the limit you will be required to check the bag.

OK, that clears things up. Thanks so much!