The Empty Transatlantic Flight: Flying From USA to Europe in 2021

I took a flight from the USA back to Europe with Aer Lingus onboard an A330, and was very pleasantly surprised!
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[@ronanmurphy4342]

Aer Lingus is the Irish language meaning for Air Fleet. That's what it means if ye ever wondered!

[@CTravelsAviation]

I didn't know that!

[@hayleyxyz]

@Lee Claxton it's intersting

[@alimohammedabd]

Conas ata tu

[@locoLocotrains]

Ah same as Aeroflot- air fleet :)

[@robertfisher632]

As a Scotsman with untold world knowledge I knew that, an American once said to me after learning I was Scottish that my English was very good, True Story.

[@ChrisJones-ru9yx]

I have you beat on this one Noel. I once traveled on an award ticket from Johannesburg to Hong Kong on a 747-400 in first class on Cathay Pacific. When the door closed, I was told I would be the only customer in the cabin. So, for a 12 hour flight, I had a staff of 3. They kept the F lav locked just for me, set up a separate suite for a bed and went over the top to keep me fed, watered and entertained. And I put very few demands on them. I regret not eating more.

[@andyhake3406]

2.09 Air Fungus 😂😂

[@johnnormanphillips2932]

You tried the time stamp lol

[@jcspotter7322]

@@johnnormanphillips2932 and failed miserably

[@PapaVanTwee5]

Last time I flew Aer Lingus was 2016, ORD-DUB-AMS. It was me, the wife and the 2 kids. You flying business was about half of what we spent in the cattle cars in the back, but if I remember correctly it's 2-4-2, and we took a middle 4, which worked out good. Service back then was good, so I expect it would be the same today. If you are from the US, flying back to the US from Dublin (or Sharon) is great because you can do customs before you fly. Since I hate Chicago customs when I'm flying alone (with kids it's a lot easier, and less scrutiny) this was plesant to go from gate to baggage and out when I landed.

[@cardinal_thrill5]

I watch these for Noels small talk with people

[@peterblackmore7560]

Almost exactly 20 years ago as part of a oneworld RTW, I flew Dublin to New York in an Aer Lingus B777. I called it the long lunch flight. Great food, great service (J not totally full but busy). Bonus is that you do the USA Immigration leaving Dublin - winner. Fond memories. I stopped Aer Lingus jokes too at that point.

[@JackJackProductions]

Aer Lingus never operated the B777. They operated the 767-300 from 1991 to 1994

[@FelixIsMyName]

Flown with Aer Lingus from Heathrow to Dublin and I remember on the return leg we flew over the BA area where they had all the grounded Concordes after the Air France crash. Was a magical sight seeing all the BA Concorde's on the ground together!

[@jamiekelly4663]

Great video as always Noel, i have been looking forward to the day you would fly on our national carrier, greetings from Ireland 🇮🇪

[@johndevoy5211]

I fly business with Aer Lingus transatlantic often, a great service and the staff are always superb. Agree about the IFE it needs a little more. What I can say is that pre-Covid the food was far better. In comparison to BA staff I have to say AL are more friendly and less intrusive (but I am biased as an Irishman)😀

[@interstategar]

Mr. Phillips, you have the best job in the world.

[@roothog229]

Very nice flight ✈️ enjoy your videos. Next time in the 🇺🇲, check out XNA, the airport for Bentonville that's located in a town of 400 people...but has over 20 nonstop flights as it's the airport for Walmart vendors...then check out the small airport 65 miles south in Ft. Smith. It actually won an award for America's best public bathroom 😆 and has a pretty unique terminal.

[@Flynno82]

Finally, great to see you aboard an Aer Lingus flight and enjoying some fine Irish hospitality 🍀 Are you considering taking a longer flight with them in the near future?

[@farmingpotato3372]

DUB to LAX is one that really stresses them in eco (it's a decent product), being around 10 hours.

[@zerog5993]

Aer Fungus yes a spotters reference, well done Noel for remembering their fond name, flight looked brilliant although a bit pricey or am I being pedantic? I don't know about you but my favorite time of a flight is when they line up on the runway, final checks, rev up those engines, brakes off and wham push back into your seat, then the ultimate feeling when she rotates.

[@alimohammedabd]

Haven't heard that term in years. I'm from Dublin.

[@Matt92Machine]

Yes the best part is take off.

[@flyingsquirrel5213]

Aer Lingus🍀! This airline was great a couple of years ago - not only was it my first time across the Atlantic, but the first time on a plane! I am happy to say that the service on our JFK-Dublin flight was wonderful - very pleasant and attentive. The food in economy was quite good, and there was a quick bite served about an hour before landing in Dublin. I loved the feeling of arriving in Dublin early in the morning Irish time just a few hours after leaving NYC in the early evening. The return flight was a little more turbulent but still pleasant. How sad to see your plane so empty - I hope business picks up for them soon, and I'd love to fly with them again🛫. Love your listening to Brad Paisley, one of the few truly recognizable country singers out there these days - I never heard of the first few either lol!

[@Welsh_Girl_UK]

Brilliant video as always Noel, thank you. Aer Lingus seems a brilliant product, food looked amazing and the cabin very nice..

[@MartinLee888]

Thanks for the epic series. I hope won’t be long for the next series.....enjoy the family time. :)

[@adamcrosbie668]

Great to see aer lingus on the channel

[@matthewwolfe4509]

Great video as always. Was so happy to see a Dublin flight. Missed ours last year and this year due to everything. You also flew right over my house when you crossed Lake Michigan and flew over Michigan. I would have waved, had I known 😂.

[@bobbi7180]

I'm flying back to MI with Aer Lingus (MAN/JFK and on to LAN) in Oct. Very interested to try the Throne seat on the A321neo across the pond. 😀

[@themapoe]

I live in Germany and will only fly Aer Lingus when visiting my folks in the US. The excellent service is a nice plus but pre-clearing customs and just walking out of the airport after a seven hour flight is by far the best benefit.

[@rvboondocker2559]

So you must have done this about a year ago. We’re planning it for April/May. Glad to see it’s lay flat beds. You have a very delightful personality! Subbed. Thanks

[@Eric-zo3mo]

Noel Philips Can you please starting dating your videos? There is seriously NO snow on the ground in Chicago in June. That's a great airline that is expanding in the USA.

[@spinalcrackerbox]

Almost all KZbinrs doing flight reviews produce uploads of trips taken several months ago. This gap only widened during the pandemic. You might be the last person to expect a trip report uploaded in June to also have taken place that month.

[@ThruAWiderLens]

@@spinalcrackerbox All true. Still, a date would be helpful. Especially when it can be easily added to the video description, e.g. "my flight on 22-23 February 2021."

[@revengejr]

I was about to post a comment asking the exact same thing. New to the channel and was curious about when he actually filmed there (yes I know there is a good amount from filming to posting but still would like to know) :-)

[@spinalcrackerbox]

@@ThruAWiderLens Basically none of them give the (exact) date. In what way would it be helpful? Can't think of one.

[@ThruAWiderLens]

@@spinalcrackerbox Just as a courtesy to viewers so they know what they're looking at. I provide dates on my channel. Just watched another YT'ers video filmed in March but only posted now, 6 mos later. Some people like to know, those who don't can skip the date.

[@richardnei]

Lovely Video. It’s always nice when you have an empty cabin or quiet flight to yourself! Always ensures that you are really well looked after by the crew and they usually go above and beyond. Are Lingus use the A330 on the DUB to AGP/FAO routes during the Summer and sell the business class seats as extra legroom minus the business service. The upgrade prices are really good on these routes! ✈️

[@noahswann]

have done MAN-MCO via DUB a few times now, a couple being in business class and the service was excellent, especially 1 time when I was in seat 1A and I got on well with the flight attendant who would pop her head round the curtain from the galley and wave the bottle of wine at me, which would always be greeted with a thumbs up from me! Their wifi is very good also and allowed me to stream one of Mayweathers fights when returning back to DUB. Looking at it though the prices seem to have gone through the roof as last time I flew with them I paid £1100 return for business class (economy was around the £575 mark) but that was booked like 4 months in advance.

[@Kutulu369]

Video released in June where its 92/33 in Chicago today and its showing snow on the ground. One heck of a backlog of videos. Wow. Great video regardless. Thx!

[@samanthal9114]

I moved from Scotland to the USA in January, flew from Glasgow - London - Chicago. Considering I was flying just after new year the first week of January, there was a whopping....4 of us on the transatlantic. It was one of the most surreal and strange flights I've ever been on considering my Glasgow to London flight was fully booked and the domestic connection within the USA was packed too.

[@madtrainspottermacrae6744]

Whereabouts in Scotland are you from

[@samanthal9114]

@@madtrainspottermacrae6744 Glasgow.

[@greenmachine5600]

If you're Chicago, hope you enjoy the city. Try out the good local food in Chicago or whoever you are.

[@aakeister]

You should also try Dublin to the USA as you clear us customs in Dublin

[@NobodyExpectsIE]

Aye one of the best reasons to fly to the US from Dublin, makes life soo much easier! That and the 19th Green lounge or w/e it's called. Great view out and great service, food and drinks inside.

[@jimhesch1404]

I love Aer Lingus.

[@elliotgreenman3723]

I flew with Are Lingus to Boston last summer on the A321 NEO,, hands down the emptiest and saddest flying experience I've ever had. Great airline though!

[@danieldravot341]

Funny, if I got on a plane this empty, I’d celebrate.

[@trotamundo76]

And empty flight is sad? I want to cry every time I get on a full flight

[@barbaramoran8690]

@@danieldravot341 Having a plane to yourself would be a luxury.

[@danieldravot341]

@@barbaramoran8690, I know. That’s why I said I’d celebrate if I got in an empty plane.

[@aston-martin-internationalist]

O'Hare I have a real love/hate relationship with. ALWAYS get delayed there when doing a transatlantic transfer. No idea why such a weather affected regions has one of the busiest hubs in the US. There's a little Japanese restaurant in one of the terminals

[@Micg51]

The best hubs are centrally located. Just so happens centrally located means a continental climate, and all the joys that come with it!

[@arshdeepsingh6303]

Great review as always! I love to see that you also take us Duty Free shopping! Wish more trip reports were like this!

[@bob2000and10]

11:25, that snacks company was on Dragons Den a couple of years ago

[@joshuasiley-waters6567]

Hey Noel, We have two brand new airlines in the USA. Breeze and Avelo Airlines just started offering SUPER cheap flights. From Burbank, California to Grand Junction, Colorado is $24.00 (included taxes/fees) on Avelo. Sounds like a Reviewers must

[@TombstoneHeart]

I jagged a flight that once when I was working fly in - fly out jobs in mining here in the Great Southern Land. I was living in Townsville, on the far north coast of Queensland and working at a mine site over near the Northern Territory border. I don't know how it worked out this way, but when I flew back home, there was only three of us on the whole plane. Usually, those fly out planes are a bit of zoo, with some blokes half pissed, everyone noisy and excited to go home and the plane as full as boot. This one was an absolute dream. The three of us sprawled out in the middle of the plane, the flight attendant kept the coffee and the biscuits coming and joined us for most of the flight. The worst thing about it all was it was over too quick and in no time flat, it seemed, we were landing in Townsville. Best flight ever!

[@EddieMorsVlogs]

My weekly dose; NOEL's Uploads👌

[@AthynVixen]

Aer Lingus in my experience always give really good service even in economy. Always had really lovely experiences with crew. customer services and ground staff all down the line.It is one of the main reasons I pay slightly more to travel to US via Ireland than to fly say from Gatwick with other carriers that would be cheaper.

[@adrienking5594]

A shadow of the glory days

[@thany3]

Seat layout is identical to Swiss' 777-300ER, iinm, to Asian destinations from Zurich and back. Pretty nice. I was even approached by another passenger who was surprised that I got the throne seat. I told him I paid extra for one, which totally cleared up how I managed it 😀

[@FalconX88]

I like how they are "that is your seat" while all of them are empty.

[@jasonkaiser1179]

I flew Aer Lingus a few times JFK -> NCL via Dublin in economy. Those were the most uncomfortable seats I have ever sat in. I chose AL because of US customs in Dublin which saves sooo much time when arriving. Just pickup your bag and go.

[@fluffyfour]

Did you hear there was a flight last week where ONE person had an entire Boeing 777 to themselves? Hope they got to sit in First!

[@dennisalexanderreilly8624]

I'm betting they were told to remain in steerage

[@indielixir100]

It was a Emirates 777-300ER for those of you wondering

[@brendanlawrence3624]

@@dennisalexanderreilly8624 That's only fair. Shouldn't expect special treatment with a product you didn't pay for just because you were lucky enough to be on an empty flight. However, it would be a nice gesture from the airline to upgrade that person.

[@matty6848]

@@brendanlawrence3624 yes Brendan I was about to comment the same. You’d think at a will of god gesture they’d upgrade you too business class. If I was inflight captain I would, if anything probably to give a person who will probably never afford to fly business class the experience.. it’s not like it’s going to cost them any extra or loose profits, just for the sake of cleaning the business class area after you’ve departed..

[@laurmullen]

aer lingus ohare to dublin is a flight i’ve flown 30+ times so watching a video on it makes me so happy

[@neonunderground5972]

I love Aer Lingus. I always get good cheap flights with Avios points

[@Jilly_mr]

I’ve flown Aer Lingus to and from Chicago/Dublin/Shannon (the red airport 😹) all of my life, my father was from Cork; never EVER had a bad experience. And I almost 31 now 😹

[@smokeypuppy417]

You must have been on so many flights during that February/ March trip in mexico/ US, that even in June you still have new footage to upload months later.

[@aakeister]

Flew in the throne seats (the throne in front of the one you had) in 2018. Only issue I gad, was when in flat bed, your feet are stuck in that coffin style opening and I couldn’t really get comfy on my side due to it

[@iamthatguy8207]

Flown this product many times to both East and West Coast. Great product, especially in throne seat and service is really excellent. Even more so when you consider how aggressively priced the ticket is! Nice review Noel.

[@alix5704]

Back in the very early 1970's I was on a Continental 747 with only 6 passengers on it (ORD to LAX). Unfortunately I was too young (early teens) to truly appreciate the experience. Wonderful video, thanks.

[@stephenconnolly2582]

I flew from gate M42 recently to dublin really great open spaces

[@gazs4731]

Air Fungus operated that flight at a massive loss - not even enough to cover the cost of fuel half way

[@ryangibb7217]

You can blame the Irish government for that. They’ve completely neglected the aviation sector in Ireland hence Aer Lingus’s move to Manchester!

[@Jack3md]

They don't care if the plane was empty or full, they want to keep the slots at O'hare

[@donnamanitu8673]

There was snow on the ground in Chicago so was this filmed months ago ? Thanks for the filming so we can feel like we are traveling which we are craving.

[@Jack3md]

Yes he's been back in UK for quite a few months now

[@tomattime]

You should have brought some of that rain to Dublin,, we need it! 😁

[@Thatguyjack758]

we need it too here in Chicago, it's been unusually dry here also. Climate change perhaps?

[@CherrrrBear]

That's snow ❄

[@tracybroschak4467]

Glad to see another Brad Paisley fan.

[@chriscoyle1221]

Totally agree about the departure gate. Flew Aer Lingus to Dublin from ORD in 2018 and the gate area wasn't big enough for all the passengers. We had to overspill into the next seated area and then got moaned at by the staff for crossing the tape.

[@Cta2006]

Love the Airbus A330

[@lucascalma605]

How thoughtful of you to buy something for your kids back home before going home! Doesn't it feel good to be back in Europe after a few months in Mexico and the US? Where will your next journey be on?

[@maximillianairborne3797]

Buying stuff for his kids and family in general is a normal gesture. Nothing taught full about that except you are stingy.

[@ryanf1425]

He doesn’t go for months, he just has a set release on his videos

[@rskeetc]

I did the reverse of that flying from Frankfurt to JFK on March 15, 2020 on Delta. I was the ONLY person in business class and there were only 75 people on the flight in general. It was eerie.

[@ryankenyon5010]

I flew BOS-SNN years ago on Aer Lingus and really enjoyed it.

[@dusfor72]

Flew this to New York a couple of years ago as they started to reconfigure their business-cabins and ... I was stunned. As you said, incredible crew as well as comfort. As well, I never will get my head around how hey were able to serve a so well made steak in an airplane. 😁 Seeing they are continuing that good performance until now I need to take them into consideration despite the hop to get to Dublin first. Oh, one thing that needs to be said when flying from Dublin: US immigration is done free of hassle in Dublin before boarding the aircraft and you arrive at the airport just like a domestic flight. No immigration, no customs, all checked upfront, just walk out and take the cab.

[@erik_griswold]

Hudson News is Duty Free? Noel, Noel, Noel.

[@DSingh4809]

We stopped at Dublin during my ADD to IAD flight. The airport and surrounding area looks amazing. Would love to visit Ireland.

[@michaelcallahan3777]

I work at O'Hare for AA. Just an FYI, they are going to be tearing down T2 and replacing it with a brand new international terminal in the next few years.

[@alixbehan1985]

Ah... you would have flown over my house arriving into Dublin 😁😁 didnt ever know aer lingus had such a nice business class 👍😊 did you get a Ryanair flight home from Dublin then 😂

[@alangaming2003]

Nope it was Aer Lingus all the way and top in the mornin

[@williamgriffis8733]

Nice video. I just flew from Baltimore to New Orleans on Southwest Airlines. Great to see planes full and airports full again. My flight were fully booked. Continued safe travels Noel. Love your videos and love being a subscriber!!

[@jordanyoung2382]

Awsome that youre a Brad Paisley fan!

[@peterrussell2887]

"Air Fungus" gets me every time! Great work Noel as always, did Rachael enjoy the gift? Hic

[@sime918]

I used to call it Air Cunni______.

[@kylecampbell1444]

Flew on the that KLM 787-10 to Dubai February of 2020 right before everything shutdown. Was my first 787.

[@BillinHungary]

In March and April I flew roundtrip from Europe to the USA, and on both transatlantic legs I flew on a 787 Dreamliner in Economy class. On both flights I booked a window seat, and had the entire row of 3 seats to myself. A very pleasant experience, albeit one that I seriously doubt will be repeated once regular travel resumes.

[@lost-prototype]

Looks good! Wish I could fly to Europe any time!

[@rusmitchell4517]

Love flying with Aer Mingus, one of my good friends is a flight attendant with them, shes luckily been able to keep working most of the way through the pandemic

[@jesdadotcom]

Man, just like when I flew to Italy in March 2020. The extra room was so nice.

[@connorackerman6867]

I been looking forward to a new video love your videos man keep up the amazing work love from Australia Perth

[@porkepik32]

Well 2 ain't bad. On my Qatar A350 flight between Doha and Hanoi in March I was the only passenger in economy. Got an airliner for myself as well as 3 very caring flight attendants for 7 hours. Crazy that I ever experienced that

[@johncoyle7910]

flow Aer Lingus business class all the time before COVID and the staff are always friendly and the cabin crew are always very helpful.

[@pcguy619]

Wow!! An A330 from O’Hare to Dublin? Quite a big plane, Delta flies A321s from Atlanta to Dublin. Great video!

[@GamerPolygon]

2:08 "Air Fungus" the Frenchies are going to like that lol

[@danhenderson3773]

Brad Paisley is the man! Great to hear you are a country fan as well Noel. He did my wedding song 👍 great vid as always!

[@vincentappleby6792]

Great Aer Lingus video from Chicago to Dublin, I was just wondering do they have a WC in Aer Lingus A 3 30 business class? I'm bursting 😅

[@belugast]

EI business looks nice.👍 You liked it so much I thought you were going to cry! 😝

[@_w_w_]

That external paint job really doesn't do justice for the cabin. This is as modern as the A330neo out there...

[@aoifekiernanl2]

Yay, Aer Lingus ☘️ and you flew on my namesake "Aoife" 😌 if I had known you were stopping in Dublin I'd have bought ya a takeaway pint 😂

[@CTravelsAviation]

Thanks for visiting my home city of Chicago! Also, O'Hare is my favorite airport and I love Terminal 5.

[@harshilpatel684]

Recently flew on a Brussels A330 which has the same configuration, the thrones were reserved so chose the single seat on the other side of the aircraft, solid seat akin to yours, good service, don't think you've reviewed them yet, perhaps your next adventure is hopping around West Africa which is truly Brussels area of expertise

[@gotham61]

Isn't alternating 2-1-2 and 1-2-1 rows pretty common in business class these days? It allows them to make the lie flat bed with your legs sticking forward under that storage cubby next to the person in the next row forward. I once flew LHR to GVA on a 747-200 with 14 passengers on board. We almost had a section each. But that was over 40 years ago.

[@TripReportaviation]

Lovely video! The flight was almost empty. They seem to have good service, I'd love to try them in the future

[@noelphilips]

You should!

[@rosemaryclark9816]

Pleased that your flight was so good. 2 weeks ago flight from Dublin to JFK and return from JFK to Shannon. Economy, one word shocking, cabin crew unhelpful verging on rude, partucularly the male cabin crew. It really illustrates to me the difference if you can afford business

[@Jarvy159]

Used Aer Lingus business a couple of times transatlantic, very good service.

[@peterdnreynolds777]

It looks great, am thinking of trying it later on in the year

[@andrewrobinson2565]

I had some French rosé, watching you having Greek white.

[@henryroe16]

Finally, Air Lingus ! :)

[@trdbrd6958]

So cool is that business class

[@v1pa]

02:09 “air fungus”? Whaaat? 🤣🤣🤣

[@carroll_aviation]

glad to see u trying out EI longhaul, nice vid !

[@kyles.aviation6083]

hi ben

[@markmulvihill1227]

Next time your with us in Ireland Noel try Aer Arann to the Aran Islands...Mark

[@noelphilips]

Here are some of my older ones www.youtube.com/@noelphilips/search?query=%20Aer%20Arann%20

[@thewinnertakesitall4384]

Great airline

[@alleykeosheyan4779]

Chocolate bars for breakfast?! When's the next Aer Lingus flight out of SLC?

[@livewire180]

Aer Fungus🤣 fantastic slip of the tongue there Noel

[@markstedman4592]

Am I missing something or was that a very expensive flight for that distance? Loved the humour about the advanced cleaning in flight entertainment 🤣

[@bosirl74]

was thinking the same thing thought it was expensive

[@4700_Dk]

Cool, flying back to the U.S. from Denmark in a few weeks.

[@robertschultz6922]

Gosh I want to do this flight!!!

[@kristinekhan8465]

Our International at O'Hare needs a major update

[@brigittelehmann9749]

great video as always i enjoyed as always