Hello from Ireland, since I just completed the exit portion of my rapid adventure aer lingus and Iberia A321xlr. To start this trip, I turned the Airbus A321xlr executive class of Aer Lingus on the 6Hr50min flight from Minneapolis (MSP) to Dublin (Dub), on the plane with the EI-XLR registration code (Ja!). I reserved this ticket for 50,000 avios.

The main reason why I took this specific flight is to fly the A321XLR, the narrow -based narrow commercial jet in production, which only began operations in recent months. I will share more thoughts about flying the A321xlr as such in a future publication, after taking the return, so that you have time to form a complete opinion on the plane. Meanwhile, let’s focus on the executive class experience of Aer Lingus.

I found that Aer Lingus’s executive class product was pleasant, but not much more. As, I wouldn’t avoid it in the future, but I wouldn’t look for it either. On the positive side, I appreciated the technology very improved, the very friendly service and the good pillow and the blanket. However, otherwise I would describe this as one of the more luxurious executive class products, in terms of restaurants, services, etc.

Then I will share some initial thoughts, and then I will publish my full travel report.

A321xlr executive class seats of Aer lingus are a mixed bag

Although the A321XLR is a new plane, Aer Lingus has chosen to maintain the same general hard -class hard class product that has throughout its long distance fleet, even in the A330 and A321LR. The executive class cabin has 16 staggered seats, alternating between a design of 2-2 and 1-1, based on the Thompsmon Aero Vantage platform.

If you are lucky and summarize far enough in advance, you can get one of the four “throne” seats, which are individual seats that mean that it does not have a neighbor.

Meanwhile, 12 passengers will end up in a couple of seats, potentially sitting next to someone. And half of those people will not have direct access to the halls, while the other half of the people could have someone to get on them.

When reclining, Aer Lingus A321xlr executive seats become 77 ″ flat beds.

Honestly, I am a little confused for why Aer Lingus did not choose to go with a new executive class product with direct access to the hall from each seat. The throne seats are, of course, quite pleasant, and some are preferred by some if they travel with a partner.

However, 75% of passengers end with a seatmate, and that does not seem ideal for those who travel alone. I guess Aer Lingus has more leisure travelers than other full -service transatlantic airlines, so maybe that is just what customers want. This time I did not get a throne seat, so I was in one of the seat pairs. Fortunately, my flight was quite empty, so I had the entire last row for me.

The A321XLR of Aer lingus A321xlr Entertainment & Tech A321xlr is excellent

Before receiving A321xlrs, Aer Lingus has already flew (and continues to fly) A321Lrs. The “bones” of the seats are the same, but technology has improved significantly, so it is great. Today, I would say that this is the greatest advance we are seeing in Premium cabins.

Aer Lingus A321xlr have a high -definition ultra monitors of 18 ″ in the executive class, which are quite elegant.

The hardware is not only excellent, but the entertainment system is not only very easy to use and very receptive, and there was also a bluetooth audio matching, so that passengers could use their own headphones.

I also found that Aer Lingus’s entertainment selection was huge, with hundreds of films and television programs, and mostly modern titles. I don’t remember being so good in the past, so I’m happy to see that. Travelers should not have problems being entertained with what is offered on board.

In addition to that, the A321XLR have AC points of sale, as well as at the USB-A and USB-C points of sale, so there is no shortage of load opportunities. It does not seem that USB ports have 60W, so they load a little more slowly than electronics in other airlines, especially if they try to use them for a laptop.

The only negative about entertainment on board is that the flight was supposed to have Wi-Fi, but it was broken on this flight. I appreciate that the airline has sent an email to the passengers who informed them about this a few hours before takeoff.

The executive class of Aer Lingus has good bedding, good service kits

While there is no mattress pad, or anything like that, Aer lingus offers a pillow and a blanket that is a lot for my taste. The pillow was very thick, and since I had the last row for myself, I could create a bit strong. The blanket was also substantial and soft, without being too warm. Thanks to individual air nozzles, the heat was not a problem either.

As for the service kit, it was fine, but maybe a little on the basic side. I am not someone who cares so much about the service kits, but this is not exactly the article of a collector.

Aer lingus executive catering makes the trick

Would you describe the Transatlantic Executive Class Meal Service of Aer Lingus as adequate but immemorial (which perhaps summarizes the experience in general?). Most transatlantic flights to Dublin are quite fast, so for many passengers, priority is to maximize rest.

Dinner served after takeoff, and that began with a round of drinks, in addition to “beverage cookies” of pecorino and rosemary with balsamic. That has to be one of the most interesting drinks of drinks I have seen in a plane. The airline also has some prefabricated cocktails, so it had an old persecution, what I enjoyed.

There was an option of two entrants, and I opted for the “ste and saffron and lettuce shimpad mizen in a carrot ginger puree, adorned with vibrant red onions in pickle.” Congratulations to the person who writes the descriptions of these menus … I would not like to eat red onions in pickles not vibrant! The starter knew well, and it was probably the best part of the food, and I thought the presentation was surprisingly excellent for a previously plated plane plate.

There were three options for the main dish, and I opted for the vegetarian option, which was Dorado Tofu in a Massaman vegetable curry slightly seasoned with Pak Choi and whitish jasmine rice (see, I didn’t get the fish plate, you’re welcome!). It was not particularly tasty, although it was not bad either.

Finally, there was the choice of dessert or cheese (or both), and I selected both, of course. The dessert was a vanilla custard cake and an apple of cinnamon with a crispy crunchy vanilla bottle, and then the cheese board hadch with cheese, cookies and chutney.

I have to give great credit to the senior cabin assistant, Ross, who was working in executive class on this flight. Not only was he friendly, but he worked hard, and was efficient.

Aer lingus has four hostesses in the A321xlr, so it normally has one dedicated to the executive class, two dedicated to the economy and one that helps in executive class sometimes, but otherwise it is in the economy. Because the load was light on this flight, Ross worked in executive class on his own.

It served all the food in approximately the first hour of the flight, which was simply an incredible speed, given the amount of things they implied. And it is not as if he had dropped things, but he checked people, offered beverage recharges and made proactive drinks recommendations (“How about a port vessel with dessert?”), Has been liquidated dishes, etc.

Working both the galley and the hall is not easy, even if there are not so many passengers, so congratulations to him. For example, I even saw him take a cloth and make sure that drinking glasses was impeccable before serving drinks. Then congratulations to him. Many airlines struggle to serve a drink within an hour of takeoff, while serving all the food.

End

I am happy to have had the opportunity to fly the new A321XLR of Aer Lingus. The plane offers an experience very similar to the A321LR executive class of the operator, with some material technology updates, from entertainment, to the Bluetooth audio, to load ports.

Not having direct access to the hall is a decisive factor for some, although it was not a problem for me, due to the load of light, which meant that it had a couple of seats. I also know that some couples like that type of seat disposition.

Ultimately, Aer Lingus is in the middle of the package when it comes to quality in executive class, from food, to comfort. The airline marks most of the boxes, but it is a bit on the basic side and are not color. As I said, I would not hesitate to fly to aer lingus again if the rate or schedule were correct, but I would not look for the airline.

What is your opinion on the A321xlr executive class of Aer Lingus?