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Periscope by Niall O'Dowd

Time has come for daytime flights from US to Ireland - Would boost tourist numbers at a critical time

Posted on Wednesday, November 09, 2011 at 06:44 PM

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London: It is time for a daytime flight from the US to Ireland.

I am more convinced than ever after this trip to London.

I boarded a British Airways plane at 8.30 in New York on Wednesday morning and arrived here in London at 8 p.m local time.

I had time to have dinner, meet a friend and get a full night's sleep and woke this morning feeling refreshed and ready for the world.

Usually when I am flying to Ireland and I have to fly overnight and end up feeling bedraggled and worse for wear for at least a couple of days.
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At least I don't have to go through what many families have to do, sitting around hotel lobbies, sometimes with young kids, waiting for the room check-in time which can often be around 2.p.m.

The flights mostly arrive in around 6.a.m so the hapless family may be at least five or six hours waiting around.

There is no good reason in the world why day-time flights to Ireland cannot happen.

I have heard every argument from crew rosters to plane positioning to hotel rosters but the truth is that the consumer is being overlooked here.

I also think it would do wonders for travel to Ireland with people arriving at a much more civilized hour and getting access to hotel rooms right away.

It is the kind of issue that gets raised every few years but little gets done.

Ye,t at a time when tourism has become a huge factor in the recovery of the Irish economy, it is worth revisiting again

It is so obvious that it would help numbers coming to Ireland immediately.

Whatever airline tries it will benefit greatly I believe

I am certainly all for it -- what do you think?

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Liam3494 | Nov 10, 2011, 10:16 AM EST

I guess I am in the minority who actually welcome the overnight flights. Not saying that additional daytime flights would be a problem, but as i frequently travel from the mid-west or California, I need the connection time. At present, coming from South America, via Houston or DC, I need those evening flights to get me home without undue delays on the East Coast. Whichever way around, more flights, and more competition, will always be a help.

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Ajreaper | Nov 10, 2011, 10:08 AM EST

I have always slept on the plane and was ready to go when she touched down- for some perhaps sleeping on a plane is an issue but for both its not a problem. I have also always been able to check in right away- even at 7 or 8am but I travel in the off season and I am sure that's not always possible "in season". Personally I like to hit the ground running and prefer not to pay for that extra night in a hotel- LOL, I don't like to arrive anywhere and just go to the hotel and go to sleep= wasted day in my book.

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dermotryan | Nov 10, 2011, 09:59 AM EST

A great idea! Visitors arrive in Kinsale for the Heritage Town Walks in tghe morning, exhausted after the flight and the drive from Shannon / Dublin. A change would definitely be as good as a rest and help people enjoy their visit.

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stephendoyle | Nov 10, 2011, 09:55 AM EST

It is rare when I can agree with every word in a article. This is one of them!

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jamieLM | Nov 10, 2011, 09:48 AM EST

I completely agree with you and the other posters who have made good points. Even after dozing on the plane, I've arrived in Ireland with a dull headache and feeling DOA. I, too, have fallen asleep on the bus the first day, in spite all of the tea I drank upon arrival in Shannon at 7:00 AM. I'd really like to fly out of O'Hare before 6:00 PM.

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MotherIrish | Nov 10, 2011, 09:48 AM EST

Oh Hell froze over today because I totally agree with Niall on something. I rarely agree with anything from him but this is a first. When we got to Ireland last May it was at 10:00 in the a.m. after a plane load of kids and babies coming from Orlando on Aer Lingus - sleep - heck no! Would have been better to arrive later in the day, kids would have been happier and us too. Would have changed the entire way we attacked our first day - and last.The airlines feed us a line of hype and we eat it up. Sic'um Niall!

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crmccabe | Nov 10, 2011, 09:42 AM EST

Here! Here!

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happyfeet | Nov 10, 2011, 09:34 AM EST

Agree completely!I travel to Ireland several times a year. Family and friends would appreciate not having to take time off from work to fetch me up at half 6 in the morning!

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dooly001 | Nov 10, 2011, 09:29 AM EST

I too would love an am flight but feel we would lose some tourists that are connecting from other cities through New York or Boston. It would definitely suit East Coast travelers. Perhaps with 2 Aer Lingus daily flights from JFK to Dublin one could serve breakfast the other dinner.

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GeorgeDillon | Nov 10, 2011, 09:13 AM EST

I also support this call. The airlines falsely claim that the current regime gives you an extra day, but the fact is that this day is worthless. Last year a friend of mine arrived in the morning. I suggested that she take the bus tour of Dublin in order to orienet herself and kill time while waiting for hotel check-in. She did, and she feel asleep for two hours on the bus. It should be even easier for flights to Dublin than flights to London, since they take up to an hour less. You could leave the Northeast at 8 and arrive by 7 (even better for Boston). Of course all of this will be wasted if Dublin Airport continues to be so inefficient and slow with baggage delivery.

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MatthewJshow | Nov 10, 2011, 09:11 AM EST

This would be great for tourism. And I might add, direct service to Cork airport would be a plus. It would probably have to be a U.S. carrier to pull it off. It's time for Cork to be part of the tourism equation.

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Sydluna | Nov 10, 2011, 08:15 AM EST

I agree! I've been to Ireland twice on overnight flights and since I can't sleep on a plane, felt like hell the first day. We had to book an extra day at the hotel in Dublin so we wouldn't be sleeping in the lobby (like I saw others doing) waiting to get into our room.

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Towngate | Nov 10, 2011, 05:41 AM EST

Niall, a chara: Don't faint! - but I agree with every word! I am sure British Airways will appreciate your endorsement, as will the London hotels for their civilised approach to customer care. Perhaps all US flights should detour through the London Heathrow Hub on their way to the Red-eye Republic! That would be a real eye-opener!

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