Airport Information
Airport Check-In
Don't forget Aer Lingus do not charge any check-in fees.
As well as checking in at the aiport you can also check-in online or from your mobile phone. Three easy ways to check-in free of charge.
Save time at the airport by checking-in at one of our FastPass kiosks. The FastPass service has been designed to speed up the check-in process, meaning you save valuable time at the airport. Using touch screen technology FastPass is efficient and very easy to use.To see a demonstration of FastPass simply click here: FastPass Demo.
With FastPass you can:
- Choose the best seat available using the touch screen and seat map. If you are travelling accompanied you can assign seats together.
- Print your own boarding pass.
- Check-in for your return flight if you have hand baggage only and are returning within 24 hours.
Can all passengers use this service?
It is very straightforward, if you have hand baggage 10kgs or less use FastPass to check yourself in and proceed directly to the departure gate. If you have check-in luggage simply drop it off at the FastPass desk, which is located beside the kiosks.
Where are the FastPass kiosks located?
You can avail of the FastPass kiosks at DUB/ORK/SNN/BFS/LHR and JFK airports. The kiosks are located in the airport terminal, in front of the Aer Lingus check-in desks in the main departures area.
How do I use FastPass?
To identify your booking in the system you will need your booking reference number (PNR). If you do not have your reference number the system will be able to recognise your name and retrieve your booking by:
- Scanning your credit card (major credit cards only, no charge applies).
- Scanning your passport.
- Entering your flight details.
Our ground staff are on hand to assist with any queries you may have.
What languages options are available?
Fastpass is available in French, German, Italian, Polish and Spanish.
Hand Baggage Only Check-In
Passengers travelling with hand baggage only can check-in:
- Online.
- At FastPass - Aer Lingus Self Service Check-in (where available).
- Designated Check-in Desks.
Onward Check-In
Onward check-in (on same day of travel) is available on some Aer Lingus flights and with the following airlines:
| AA | American Airlines | EK | Emirates |
|---|---|---|---|
| AF | Air France | IB | Iberia |
| AY | Finnair | KLM | Royal Dutch Airlines |
| BA | British Airways | QF | Qantas |
| CX | Cathay Pacific | SQ | Singapore Airlines |
| UA | United Airlines |
Business Class and Gold Circle Check-in
Same Check-in Times and requirements apply.
Where the Business Class product is offered for travel, each airport has a designated Business Class check-in area. Some airports have designated Gold Circle check-in desks.
Check-in Times
Aer Lingus recommend the following Check in times to allow for security, passport and document checks.
| Flights | Check-in Closes | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Long-haul routes (Depart or arrive outside Europe) |
60 mins before departure* | 3.5 hours before departure |
| Short-haul routes (Depart and arrive within Europe) |
45 mins before departure* | 2.5 hours before departure |
- Check-in for all short-haul flights closes 45 minutes prior to departure.
- Check-in for all Long-haul flights closes 60 minutes prior to departure.
- Check-in facilities in Shannon airport do not open before 05:00am.
- Passengers who do not comply with Check-in Deadlines will not be accepted for travel. They may change their booking up until the flight they were booked on has departed, thereafter it will be treated as a 'no-show' and the booking will be forfeited.
Check-in Closing Times
Check-in for all Aer Lingus flights will close 45 minutes prior to departure (including self - service check-in).
Failure To Comply With Check-in Deadlines
If passengers do not comply with this Check-in Deadline they will not be accepted for travel. They can change their itinerary up until the flight has departed, after this it will be treated as a no show and the sector will be forfeited.
Self Service Check-in
Passengers can avoid queues at check-in desks and check themselves in at the self service kiosks provided at various airports.
Same Day Return Check-in
Passengers to most UK destinations, with hand baggage only, can be checked in for both outbound and return flights.
Airport Lounges
If you are travelling in Business Class, are a Gold Circle Club member, or hold a Bank of Ireland Gold Visa Business Card (with lounge access), you will be able to use any of our Gold Circle or affiliated lounges. With a few exceptions all of our airport lounges are owned and operated by airport handling partners.
At some airports, where our handling partner provides lounge facilities, you may need to register at check-in for the lounge visit. Once you produce your Gold Circle Club card, or Bank of Ireland Gold Visa Business card, the Check-in staff will provide you with a lounge invitation, which you can use to locate and access the lounge.
- Lounge facilities are available at most airports served by Aer Lingus. A full list of locations is available here: Airport Lounges. Occasionally, the location of airport lounges may change so it's always a good idea to check out the listing before you travel.
- If you are not travelling in Business Class and wish to access any of our lounges, you must present either a valid lounge access card (a Gold Circle Club card or Bank of Ireland Gold Visa Business card), or a lounge invitation issued at check-in, along with your Aer Lingus boarding card.
- Gold Circle Club members and Bank of Ireland Gold Visa Business cardholders may invite one guest into the lounge when travelling on the same Aer Lingus flight as the cardholder.
- Elite and Prestige members have access to the British Airways lounge in London Heathrow when travelling onwards on a through-ticket with British Airways.
Ireland
| City | Airport Name | Terminal |
|---|---|---|
| Cork | Cork International Airport | Terminal 1 |
| Dublin | Dublin Airport |
Terminal 2 - Aer Lingus Terminal 1 - Aer Lingus Regional* |
| Knock | Knock Ireland-West Airport | Main Terminal |
| Shannon | Shannon Airport | Terminal 1 |
*(Aer Lingus Regional Flight Nos 3000-4000 operated by Aer Arann)
UK & The Channel Islands
| City | Airport Name | Terminal |
|---|---|---|
| Belfast | Belfast International Airport | Terminal 1 |
| Birmingham | Birmingham Airport | Terminal 1 |
| Blackpool | Blackpool Airport | Terminal 1 |
| Bristol | Bristol Airport | Terminal 1 |
| Cardiff | Cardiff Airport | Terminal 1 |
| Edinburgh | Edinburgh Airport | Terminal 1 |
| Glasgow | Glasgow Airport | Terminal 1 |
| Jersey | Jersey Airport | Terminal 1 |
| London | Heathrow | Terminal 1 |
| London | Gatwick | South Terminal |
| Manchester | Manchester Airport | Terminal 1 |
Europe
USA
| City | Airport Name | Terminal |
|---|---|---|
| Boston | Logan International Airport | Terminal E |
| Chicago | Chicago O'Hare Airport | Terminal 5 |
| New York | John F Kennedy Intl. Airport | Terminal 4 |
| Orlando | Orlando International Airport | International Terminal |
| Washington | Washington Dulles Intl. Airport | United Airlines Check-in, Main Terminal Area 4 |
More US airport information including airports served by our partner airlines JetBlue and United available here.
Airport Parking Charges
Aer Lingus do not own or operate any airport public car parks. Please contact your local airport authority to check current parking fees.
Arrival & Departure Information
Real-time information on the status of Aer Lingus flights is available on the Travel Service section of aerlingus.com. To visit this section click here: Flight Timetables.Boarding Times
Aer Lingus advise all passengers to be at the boarding gate at the latest 30 minutes prior to departure.
Boarding of Aer Lingus flights commence at the times outlined below:
- Ex Ireland, United Kingdom and Europe: 30 minutes prior to scheduled time of departure.
- Ex Rome and Amsterdam : 40 minutes (this is due to long distance from check-in to boarding)
- Ex USA: 45 minutes
Closing Times of boarding gates is 10 minutes prior to departure.
Passengers arriving late to the boarding gate will not be accepted for travel.
Dublin Airport Check-in
All Aer Lingus flights to mainland Europe, London Heathrow, London Gatwick, Birmingham, Manchester, New York, Boston, Chicago and Orlando will depart and arrive Terminal 2 (T2), Dublin Airport. Aer Lingus occupy 28 check-in desks located in the west-end of the building on the Ground floor.
Aer Lingus Regional flights to the UK, including Blackpool, Cardiff and Glasgow, will operate from Terminal 1 until further notice. Customers travelling on these flights should continue to present for departure at Terminal 1.
No Show by Passenger
If a passenger has missed their flight their booking is forfeited. If they wish to travel they will need to make a new booking. No refund or changes will be allowed.
If a passenger arrives at the airport after check-in has closed but before their flight (flights between Ireland and the UK/Europe only) has departed, they may change their flight at the airport to the next available Aer Lingus flight to the same destination, or an other destination in the same country as the original booked flight for a fee of €75 or equivalent.
Standby Travel
Aer Lingus do not operate a standby policy.
Unaccompanied Minors (under 12)
- Aer Lingus does not accept reservations for unaccompanied children under 12 years of age for travel on Aer Lingus scheduled services.
- Children under 12 years of age cannot travel unless accompanied by an adult aged 16 years or older, who will take responsibility for the child.
- Aer Lingus will continue to accept passengers aged 12-15 years inclusive but will not provide special assistance for these passengers. A Form of Indemnity must be completed by a parent/guardian with respect to such passengers at each airport of departure. You can get a Form of Indemnity by clicking here: Form of Indemnity.
- For Aer Lingus/JetBlue Airways connecting flights, unaccompanied minors under the age of 14 will not be accepted for travel by either carrier for any part of the journey.
- Unaccompanied minors under the age of 14 departing Italy must have a parental consent form authorised by their local police before being allowed to travel.
Young Passengers
Young passengers will be accepted on Aer Lingus flights, on the basis that they are travelling as an adult. Aer Lingus will not be responsible for, nor will they provide any special assistance for these passengers.
The parent or guardian will be required to sign a Form of Indemnity at the airport on the day of departure relinquishing Aer Lingus from any responsibility to provide special assistance to these passengers. You can get a Form of Indemnity by clicking here: Form of Indemnity.
Aer Lingus will deny boarding to any unaccompanied young person between the age of 12 and 15 inclusive should the parent /guardian fail to complete the Form of Indemnity.
*For Aer Lingus/JetBlue Airways connecting flights, unaccompanied minors under the age of 14 will not be accepted for travel by either carrier for any part of the journey.
*Unaccompanied minors under the age of 14 departing Italy must have a parental consent form authorised by their local police before being allowed to travel.
Valid Passport and Visa Documentation
Your passport is a valuable document, without it you will be prevented from travelling to another country. It is the passenger's personal responsibility to ensure they have valid documentation, which meets the requirements of Aer Lingus, immigration and other government authorities at each destination/departure Airport.
To check passport, visa and health requirements visit the IATA Travel Centre.
Travel from Ireland or the UK to the USA
Passports
All EU passport holders of countries participating in the U.S. Visa Waiver Programme who are visiting the United States are required to have an individual machine readable passport and a return onward ticket to avail of the U.S. Visa Waiver Programme. Otherwise an advance visa is required from a U.S. Diplomatic or Consular Mission.
Since 26 October 2004, all persons, irrespective of age, require an individual machine readable passport for entry into the United States. Further details are available from the U.S. Embassy.
Most passports issued by the Passport Offices in Dublin and Cork and the Irish Embassy in London are machine readable, however there are still some hand-written passports and passports endorsing a minor that will be affected.
Note: If you are a British National travelling to the USA and your passport was issued in the British Embassy in Dublin prior to 2001 then please contact the British Embassy in Dublin for advice.
If you are in any doubt as to whether or not your passport is machine readable, please contact your nearest Irish Embassy, Consulate or local passport office:
| Setanta Centre, Molesworth Street, Dublin 2 Tel. 01-671-1633 or LoCall 1890 426 888 |
1a South Mall Cork Tel. 021-494-4700 / 276-964 or LoCall 1890 426 900 |
For further information see the Irish Government website.
ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation)
Note: From Wednesday 8th September 2010 a charge $14.00 USD per person will apply to avail of the ESTA service. This charge is collected by the US Department of Homeland Security and is not an Aer Lingus fee. If you apply before Wednesday 8th September 2010 no charge applies.
Under the U.S. Visa Waiver Programme, passport holders from 34 countries, including Ireland and the UK, may enter the U.S. without a visa for travel or business purposes for a maximum period of 90 days. Passengers seeking to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program are now subject to enhanced security requirements.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has announced that beginning January 12, 2009, eligible citizens or nationals from all Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries must obtain approval through the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) prior to travelling to the United States under the Visa Waiver Programme.
All eligible passengers who wish to travel under the Visa Waiver Program must apply for authorisation using the ESTA website.
More details about the ESTA are available on the USA Travel Notice section.
API (Advance Passenger Information)
You must provide API: Passengers travelling to the United States are required to provide Advance Passenger Information. This information is compulsory and is required for the purposes of ensuring aviation safety and security.
The Information required for each passenger is:
- First Name (as on passport)
- Family Name (as on passport)
- Gender
- Date of Birth
- Nationality
- Passport Number
- Passport Country
- Expiry Date of Passport
- Country of Residence
- Alien Registration or Permanent Resident Card Number if applicable
- Address while in USA if you are not a US passport holder or a landed US resident.
You can add APIS information to your booking by clicking here: Add APIS Information.
Travel from the USA to Ireland and Europe
Ireland: US citizens require a valid passport for travel to Ireland, but a visa is not required for tourist or business stays of up to three months. Visit the Embassy of Ireland web site for the most current visa information, or contact the embassy at 2234 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008, tel: (202) 462-3939, or the nearest Irish consulate in Boston, Chicago, New York or San Francisco.
Europe: A valid passport is required for travel to other E.U. member states, for ALL US citizens, although a visa is NOT needed for tourist or business stays. Please comply with all government travel requirements. View specific documentation requirements on the U.S. Department of State's website.
Travel between Ireland and the UK or UK Domestic travel
Citizens of Ireland and the UK must carry some form of official photo identification. Note: In order to travel between Ireland and the UK with photo identification other than a passport, passengers must have been born in Ireland or the UK and also be a citizen of either country. The following forms of photo identification are acceptable:
- Valid Passport
- Driver's licence with photo
- International student card
- National ID card / Government issued photo ID cards
- Health Insurance cards with photo / Social security cards with photo
- Bus pass with photo
- Work ID with photo
Citizens of Ireland and the UK under the age of 16, do not need a photo ID, if travelling with their parent/guardian.
Citizens of countries other than Ireland and the UK must produce a valid passport and visa where applicable, for travel between Ireland and the United Kingdom.
Travel within Europe
The following are the only forms of identification acceptable by Aer Lingus:
- Valid Passport
- National Identity Card (For travel within the EU)
Passengers travelling to Spain are required to provide Advance Passenger Information. This information is compulsory and is required for the purposes of ensuring aviation safety and security. Below is a list of the information required:
- Full given names
- Surname
- Nationality
- Date of birth
- Passport number
You can add APIS information to your booking by clicking here: Add APIS Information.
Immigration Offices in some countries insist that passports must remain valid for a certain time AFTER your departure from their country. Please contact the relevant embassy for further details.
Infants/newly-borns must have their own passport, or be named on the passport of the parent with whom they are travelling.
Passengers 15 years and over travelling to Prague (Czech Republic) must have their own individual passport.
Passengers 16 years and over must have their own individual passport when travelling to continental Europe, however passengers 15 years and under may travel on their parent's passport provided that they are named on the passport and that the parent is travelling with them.
Minors under 18 years of age travelling to Portugal on their own, who do not have anyone in Portugal taking responsibility for their stay, may be refused entry to the country.
All minors (under 18 years of age) departing Portugal may be prevented from leaving the country if he/she is travelling unaccompanied and is not carrying a notarised letter of authority from a parent or guardian.
All minors (under 18 years of age) departing Portugal may be prevented from leaving the country if he/she is travelling unaccompanied and is not carrying a notarised letter of authority from a parent or guardian.
Similarly, a minor (under 18 years of age) travelling with just one of his/her parents, must have a notarised letter of authority to leave the country from the parent who is staying behind.
A letter stamped by the local police station will also be accepted.
Pre-clearance in Ireland (INS)
All passengers travelling to the USA under the Visa waiver Programme (VWP) must:
- New Requirement - Apply for authorisation to travel under the VWP using the U.S. Department of Homeland Security ESTA website no less than 72 hours prior to travel. Click here.
- Existing Requirement - Add (Advance Passenger Information) API to your booking up to 1 hour in advance of the first flight on your itinerary. Click here.
- Existing Requirement - Complete relevant I94/I94W Immigration and Customs forms at the airport on the day of departure.
Passengers departing Ireland up to 4:00PM can clear US immigration, prior to departure, at Dublin Airport.
All Irish passport holders visiting the United States will require an individual, machine readable passport to avail of the US Visa Waiver Programme. Otherwise you will require a visa, in advance, from your nearest US Diplomatic or Consular Mission. For travel over 90 days a visa must be obtained.
Passengers must complete a Customs Declaration Form and either
- an I-94W Non-immigrant Visa Waiver Arrival/Departure or
- an I-94 Arrival/Departure Record Form.
Immigration and Customs Forms
- I-94W Non-immigrant Visa Waiver Arrival/Departure Form
This green form must be completed if you are staying less than 90 days. - I-94 Arrival/Departure Record Form
This white form must be completed if you possess a US visa and intend staying over 90 days. - Customs Declaration Form
One completed declaration form per family must be handed to the US airport Customs official.
Help Search
Top Queries
Self Service Options
Manage your Booking
Login to Aer Lingus
Contact us
For website help & changes
to Internet bookings visit the Contact Us sections.