Review: Aer Lingus Lounge Dublin Terminal 2

Home base for an airline usually contains their most elaborate ground experience. This is debatable when it comes to the Aer Lingus lounge in Terminal 2 at Dublin Airport, because the newer facility at London Heathrow Terminal 2 is arguably nicer.

Dublin Airport Authority’s architects and design section won the tender to create the lounge, which opened in 2011. Little has changed since then, so let’s have a look at what is on offer.

Who Can Access The Aer Lingus Lounge in Dublin?

According to the Aer Lingus web site, anyone can access the lounge subject to paying the €30 fee. This will allow a visit to use the facilities for around two hours.

Aer Lingus AerClub members with Silver, Platinum or Concierge status have access, along with transatlantic Business Class passengers. People who purchase an Advantage or AerSpace fare on European flights are also in.

Next up, those holding a Gold Business Credit Card from Bank of Ireland have access. I had one of those through work once, which is the only reason I was able to use Aer Lingus lounges so regularly.

Finally, British Airways Silver and Gold frequent flyers travelling to London Heathrow and London Gatwick on Aer Lingus flights also get in. Platinum or Concierge AerClub members may bring one guest.

What’s Inside The Aer Lingus Lounge In Dublin?

There is a lot of light in the Aer Lingus lounge, thanks to one side being completely made up of windows. Of course, when you enter you’re presented with the main seating area.

Plenty of seating is provided, along with a wall feature flanked by the computers and computer desks against the wall. You then move through a corridor which also serves as the food station, and at the back are more couches and seating.

There’s a Mezzanine Level Too!

Upstairs on the mezzanine is the Quiet Zone. This is a lovely place to chill out, away from the inevitable hubbub down below, usually comprising of families with children running around.

Shower suites are also located upstairs, along with a small area to get coffee, tea or a drink. A skylight is located above, so it is flooded with light. It’s perhaps the most pleasant place in the lounge.

What Drinks Are On Offer?

Juice, water, tea and coffee of course. The good stuff has a decidedly Irish slant, with Guinness, Irish Whiskey and Baileys all making an appearance.

Otherwise there is Heineken, and the usual things such as Gin and Vodka. It is a serviceable selection which should cover all the bases except for the pickiest of drinkers. A shame there is no Champagne though!

Elegantly Designed Bathrooms

When I first visited the lounge many years ago, I thought the bathrooms were quite pleasantly designed. Having visited again this year, I stand by that. They are just pleasing to the eye.

Voya products are available to wash your hands, which are different to those offered when I visited the Aer Lingus Revival Lounge, which is the arrivals lounge in Dublin. You can choose to dry your hands with hand towels or a Dyson hand dryer. I like having a choice!

Aer Lingus Lounge Food

Peckish? Looking forward to chowing down in the Aer Lingus lounge? I wouldn’t really advise it. The food offering is sparse at best, with the food at 11am consisting of breakfast pastries, awful looking scones or bread and jam.

Someone has also gone nuts on the signage, everything is Mini. “Mini” pastries, “mini” scones, “mini” butter portions and “mini” Flora portions. It comes across as cheap, plus it’s unnecessary as people have eyes.

All is not lost however. The sole hot item, a Cream of Chicken Soup, was spectacularly delicious! Despite it being summer, after my first bowl I went back for more. Extremely tasty! To be fair, I also had a pastry and it was quite fine too.

The other surprise was a sign announcing barista coffee available between 04:15 and 07:00. I nearly fell over when I saw the sign offering Espresso, Americano, Flat White, Latte and Cappuccino, as this is new. In fact, the Aer Lingus web site says it’s a trial, but hey, nice work!

Overall Thoughts

The Aer Lingus lounge in Dublin is adequate, no more, no less. When compared to other lounges in Dublin, the food offering lags behind the Dublin Airport operated lounge in Terminal 1, while the Aer Lingus lounge design is nicer than the bleeding eye horror that is that DAA lounge.

Transatlantic passengers flying Aer Lingus often wonder should they visit the Aer Lingus lounge or the 51st & Green lounge after going through US immigration in Dublin. Beeline for the 51st & Green lounge, which is, for now, the nicest lounge in Dublin.

What do you think of the Aer Lingus lounge in Dublin? Would you pay €30 to use it? Thank you for reading and if you have any comments or questions, please leave them below.

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