Relaxed, hassle free flying (Aer Arann)

Member Name: Bandi

Product:	Aer Arann
Date:	07/02/09 (64 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Relaxed, friendly, goes to where I need to go,

Disadvantages: vulnerable to weather

Basis for review:
I'm from the West of Ireland and have lived for a number of years in the UK in both Birmingham and London. I have flown Aer Arann several times from Galway to Birmingham, Galway to London Luton and Dublin to Cardiff.

Check in:
Check in is what you'd expect from any relatively low cost operator operating short hop routes. Nothing special, nothing exceptional.

On board:
Aer Arann operate small propeller planes. There are four seats in any row, two on each side and there are forty rows on the plane. The seats are comfortable and the plane isn't too cramped. Due to the small size of the plane the staff may ask you to move seats to help balance. Fewer passengers means that boarding and disembarcation are usually quicker and easier then on larger aircraft.

As a prop plane, the plane is noisier than a normal Boeing 737, it also takes a little bit longer to get to where you're going as they're slower. Aer Arann are also more prone to weather delays due to the smaller aircraft size.

You are given a free newspaper as you board, everything else must be paid for. The staff are casual, but friendly and helpful. In short, they have a very Irish attitude, and a West of Ireland attitude at that. My mother tells the story of an announcement on her flight where they informed passengers that the flight was subject to a short delay because the air hostesses alarm clock hadn't gone off. Generally the whole atmosphere is pleasantly relaxed.

Airports:
Aer Arann tend to fly to small, local airports. The one I have most experience of is Galway Airport, however I'm fairly sure that Waterford and Kerry would be similar. Galway airport is tiny. There is one security screening queue, and one room to wait in. It's perfectly possible (though not recommended) to arrive half an hour before your flight and not have anyone bat an eyelid.

When you land, your luggage is collected by a tractor and delivered to the one luggage belt. Security checks consists of one Garda who will give your passport a cursory glance. It's as relaxed as air travel can get.

Cost:
Return flights have typically cost me E100 - E150. Better deals are available. This would be slightly more expensive then the Aer Lingus or Ryanair equivalents, however Aer Lingus and Ryanair would involve a transfer from either Shannon or Knock Airport to my home town of Galway. The cost (E20ish) and time element (over an hour for both) of that transfer, make Aer Arann good value for my money.

Summary: A great little airline