Flying US to Ireland: Tips From A Guy Who's Done it 100 Times

I'm an a Irishman who lived in US for 20 years and have spent enough time over the Atlantic to claim tax residency in the sky.

I've flown every major airline between Ireland and the US too many times, starting in coach and thankfully these days in business class.

I'm that airplane geek who reads flight reviews, picks flights based on aircraft type, and knows when cabins are getting upgraded.

Based on all that, here are my thoughts about picking the best flight from the US to Ireland so you and your bags arrive in Ireland ready to explore this beautiful country.

US Destinations from Dublin Airport

Dublin Airport (DUB) offers direct flights on Aer Lingus, American Airlines, Delta Airlines and JetBlue to these US airports.

New York (JFK, EWR) | Boston (BOS) | Chicago (ORD) | Minneapolis (MSP) Hartford (BDL) | Seattle (SEA) | Denver (DEN) | Los Angeles (LAX) | Las Vegas (LAS) San Francisco (SFO) | Dallas (DFW) | Atlanta (ATL) | Charlotte (CLT) Orlando (MCO) | Miami (MIA) | Washington D.C. (IAD) | Philadelphia (PHL) | Cleveland (CLE) | Detroit (DTW) | Nashville (BNA)

Dublin Airport Hub

I used to go plane spotting at Dublin Airport as a kid. The roar of 747s taking off to America kept me coming back, while my friends were doing way cooler things like getting turned down by their crushes.

Back then, these flights were just Irish people heading to the US or Americans visiting Ireland. Now, like myself, DUB has grown up. Nearly 40% of your tired transatlantic travel buddies are connecting to other European flights (their loss for skipping Ireland).

How to Pick Your Flights From US to Ireland

It's not as simple as just booking the cheapest flights. I have six factors that I consider before booking my flight over the pond. These steps will make your journey more comfortable, less stressful and help you get to Ireland on time and with your luggage, ready to begin exploring Ireland.

Step 1. Choose Your Wave

Flights from the US to Ireland are red-eyes. Leaving the US in the evening and flying overnight and they come in two waves. The first wave lands in Dublin at peak rush hour, which is 4-5am.The second wave lands later in the morning, 8-10am.

The First Wave

Landing at 4am (11pm ET) works with your body clock. Don't sleep on the plane, it's a short flight. Eat, watch a movie, get breakfast, and land in Dublin at your normal bedtime.

Get to your hotel by 5am, sleep a few hours, and you're exploring Dublin by 10am, already on Irish time. Yes, you'll pay extra for early check-in, maybe even an extra night, but it's worth it.

Another reason for fly first wave: If you're connecting to another airport in the US to catch your Irish flight and that feeder flight gets delayed, it's still earlier enough for the airline to reroute you another way. With second wave flights leaving later at night, you're usually out of options and lose a day.

The Second Wave

Landing around 9am means reaching your hotel around 11am. Drop your bags, go explore Dublin to stay active until 3pm check-in, then grab a quick nap before dinner.

I prefer second wave when flying business class. I eat in the lounge instead of the plane. Take off at 10pm, lay the seat flat, eye mask on, ear plugs in and get just enough sleep to land refreshed in Dublin Airport.

2. Connection Time

I don't book international connections under two hours, there are too many delays these days. Book the longer layover, relax at the airport, pay $20 for a beer and try to not to let your excitement about going to Ireland arouse suspicion with TSA.

Most US airports only have one daily flight to Dublin. Miss it, and best case, you're rerouted through Amsterdam or Frankfurt and who know where your bags are. Worst case, you're bumped to tomorrow's flight, losing a precious day in Ireland.

3. Connection Airport

Pick your connection airport carefully. Be weather smart. Chicago connection in winter? That's a hard no.

Go short on the domestic leg, long on the transatlantic leg. If you're flying from San Diego, don't fly SAN-JFK-DUB with 5 hours squeezed in the smaller domestic plane. Instead, take the short hop to LAX, and settle in for more time on the big comfy Dublin plane with screens and free wine. Comfy being relative of course.

Connect close to home. When I lived in CHS, I was delighted when Charlotte added Dublin flights. I could always drive home from CLT even if missed the last flight to CHS.

Stick to one airline. I love flying Aer Lingus, but I avoid them for connections because they connect to different airlines. Trust me, you don't want to hear my stories about airlines playing the blame game with their 'valued partners in travel'

Check flight frequency. Some routes only fly every few days. Getting bumped when the next flight is three days away? Not fun.

4. Coach or Business

In coach? I want to get it over with so I pick the shortest route possible, like CHS-EWR-DUB. It's only 5 or 6 hours of back pain across the pond.

But when I fly business class? Now I want that longer flight. CHS-ATL-DUB gives me 7 hours to enjoy the lie-flat bed and actually get some sleep.

I once even flew the wrong way to Dallas just to get an 8-hour sleepy flight to Dublin. I'm weird like that, don't copy me!

5. The Airplane

I am getting tech & geeky here. Some people don't know or care what plane they are on. I do! And so should you.

United still fly their ancient 757s on some Dublin routes. Aer Lingus charter planes from the infamous Privilege Air to cover their busy summer season. Someone was having a laugh naming that airline. Jet Blue don't have hot food on their planes because they didn't fit any ovens.

Even in the rarified air of business class, it can vary wildly too. I refused to fly United's old 767 2-1-2 business class last year. That was outdated on Pan Am. Instead I connected in FRA and slept soundly on their new 787-10.

Something you'll notice flying to Ireland is that we still get the old planes and our gates are so far away that you're already jet lagged getting on the plane.

American flies newer 787s on most of their Dublin routes. Gorgeous airplanes. I'm flying it next week. I'm in my favorite seat 1A even though it's known as the rocking chair because it's connected the seat behind it. I'm in the separate 5A on the way back. Yes I am boring enough to know that. Check later for a trip report.

6. The Airline

I've left the most contentious for last. The airlines.

People have Swiftie-level loyalty for airlines. Last year, I wrote something accurate but not very complimentary about Aer Lingus on Facebook that went viral. A million views later, I'm pretty sure I'm not on their Christmas card list.

So, notifications off, here are my pros and cons for each airline.

American Airlines

I like flying American, even if their domestic flights and connecting airports aren't the best.

Pros

• They fly modern 787s across the Atlantic. Always a nice ride
• Solid online tech for changing seats and flights (crucial with today's delays)
• Multiple hubs mean more rerouting options if things go wrong
• AAdvantage miles still actually worth something (rare these days)

Cons

• PHL & CLT airports are... well, PHL & CLT
• Domestic planes are getting more cramped (those tiny bathrooms!)
• The add-ons with their Basic Economy makes Ryanair look generous

The Verdict: Good for transatlantic, just try to minimize time on their domestic flights.

Aer Lingus

I love being on an Aer Lingus plane. After 20 years away, seeing that shamrock tail at JFK fills me with pride. The Irish welcome onboard makes you feel the Fáilte while still on US soil.

So it kills me to say I can't recommend them. Here's why:

Pros

• 21 direct US routes at last count, so lucky you if you live near one
• Good upgrade bid system. I've scored their nice business class for $350
• The staff. Did I mention how friendly they are?

Cons

• Their IT belongs in a museum. Just booking flights is a challenge, changing anything means calling their understaffed call center. IAG own them and it shows.
• If you are connecting in the US, it's with a different airline. Cue the blame game when things often go wrong
• Their small fleet means they lease outdated planes from charter airlines when there's issues. Less Fáilte, more fcuk 😡

Pro or Con

• They fly the single aisle A321 & A321NEO to midsize US airports. It's a pro because they're very new, sleek and shiny. It's a con because I find the single aisles tighter on long flights. The line for the bathroom stretches down the aisle like a bride's dress and I found the A321 business class to be tight.

The Verdict: My heart says yes, my experiences say no, unless it's direct flight

Delta Airlines

I used to fly Delta lots until they made ATL-DUB seasonal and gutted their miles program. Haven't been on their pond crossing since, so consider this a historical perspective.

Pros

• Atlanta is a solid hub for Southerners - tons of daily connections
• Good reputation overall
• Delta One business class gets rave reviews

Cons

• Dublin route is seasonal from Atlanta
• Miles aren't worth what they used to be

The Verdict: If you're in the South and flying during peak season, sure. But I've moved on.

United Airlines

Pros

1. Best tech in the business - their app knows more than the captain
2. The EWR Polaris lounge waiter service is good start to the trip.
3. Miles still worth something for now, although I'm burning mine as rapidly as they are devaluing the program

Cons

• Watch those aircraft types carefully - they love sending their retirement ready planes to Ireland

The Verdict: Great tech, good lounges, questionable planes. Check what you're flying before booking

JetBlue

They just started flying. I haven't flown them yet and probably won't unless they have a good deal on their Mint business class product.

They don't have ovens on the plane. Intentionally too. It wasn't an oversight so it's rabbit food for everyone. Tasty rabbit food though.

Still have questions? Drop them in the comments below. After a hundred crossings, I've probably made every mistake possible so you don't have to.

Dublin Airport US PreClearance

Here's the best part about flying home from Dublin (better than Duty Free whiskey, and that's saying something), you clear US immigration and customs here in Dublin. No more JFK immigration lines that make Disney World look efficient.

You'll land in the US as a domestic passenger. But it does mean getting to Dublin Airport 3 hours before your flight home.

It's a bit complicated so don't do it without reading my guide to Dublin's US Preclearance. It walks you through all 12 steps, from security to that final Guinness in the 51st & Green lounge.

Up Next

Now that you've picked your flight, read my guide to Dublin Airport so you can sail smoothly through it. It shows you how to navigate both terminals, find the hidden lounges, and some sneaky time saving tips.

Got questions about flying to Ireland?

Drop them in the comments below. After a hundred crossings, I've probably made every rookie mistake possible so you don't have to.

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