Dublin, Ireland – a destination that left a lasting impression. The spontaneity of this trip heightened its allure, adding an extra layer of ​excitement. Our journey from Paris to the United States took an unexpected turn when, after a tiring day of airport delays, we found ourselves ​landing in Dublin due to aircraft mechanical issues. The warmth and care extended by the Jetblue representatives, who provided us with ​accommodation, unexpectedly transformed what could have been a setback into an opportunity for exploration.

Upon settling into our hotel and taking a moment to unwind, we ventured out to experience the vibrant Temple Bar district. Known for its ​local bars and eateries, this area exudes the lively essence of Dublin. After a few hours of revelry, we retired for the night, only to awaken the ​next morning and retrace our steps to the city center for further exploration. The architectural splendor of Dublin, coupled with the genuine ​hospitality of its people, left an indelible mark. The sense of belonging, particularly with my Irish heritage, was profound, accentuated by the ​joyous encounter with my ancestral instrument, the gunless.

Our meandering journey revealed iconic landmarks such as Dublin Castle, the serene river, picturesque bridges, and the majestic St. Patrick's ​Cathedral. While the cathedral's beauty was apparent, the entrance fee seemed disproportionate to the experience it offered. A delightful ​lunch at Temple Bar preceded our return to the airport for departure.

Though brief, our time in Dublin was a treasure trove of experiences, igniting a desire to return soon. With sights set on a future visit, I refrain ​from rating this initial sojourn, reserving judgment for a more comprehensive exploration in the near future.

Our flying experience within Europe was exceptional. We chose to fly Aer Lingus from Paris to Dublin, and we could not be more pleased with our decision. Upon our arrival at Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), we eventually found the Aer Lingus check-in desk located on the lower level. This was somewhat confusing due to inadequate signage for individual airlines. However, the check-in process was straightforward.

We then proceeded to the airport center in Paris, which is dedicated to assisting individuals with disabilities. The systems in both Dublin and Paris are remarkably similar and significantly more organized than the setups we encounter in the United States. Moreover, the staff who attended to us in both locations were exceptionally personable.

During our check-in at the gate, the agents demonstrated extensive knowledge of Dublin Airport's accessibility challenges and options. They coordinated with the flight crew to ensure complete accessibility upon our arrival in Dublin. Navigating customs was also quite simple. The flight crews of Aer Lingus were incredibly attentive to our safety and comfort, and I will elaborate on Aer Lingus further down the page. Overall, both our departures from and arrivals in Dublin were seamless.

We learned several important lessons during our journey. In Ireland, there is a strong emphasis on accommodating individuals with disabilities. Most public spaces feature special counters for those in wheelchairs, providing priority service and a high level of respect and care. Unfortunately, we did observe some inconsiderate Americans taking advantage of this program; however, for the most part, those who genuinely require assistance receive it.

Upon our arrival in Dublin, we disembarked from the aircraft without access to a jet bridge. Consequently, the flight crew arranged for a specialized lift truck to assist passengers with disabilities and their families in transferring from the airplane to the terminal. This experience was remarkable, and we were truly grateful for the accommodations provided.

What an exceptional airline. We had the opportunity to travel from Paris - Dublin with such an amazing experiance, that we chose them to fly to Washington DC instead of Jetblue because of the convience of getting to West Virignia more direct as well as the personable staff and overall great experiance. 

Aer Lingus is Dublins primary airline. Surprisingly they have many routes to US cities that I never knew existed such as Cleveland, DC, and others. For us, it ended up being a great blessing because as previosly stated, it was much more easy to land in Washington DC for a direct flight back into West Virginia vs. going to New York and making many connections. 

The flights were both wonderful, especially our flight in economy class back to the US. The seats are extremley comfortable, and you are given a meal, bevarage, snack and coffee. In addition, they were extremley helpful with stowing our wheelchair under the plane and assisting us onto the aircraft. The Inflight Crew was phenominal, providing great compassionate service. Being our first experiance on international airlines, I must say flying Aer Lingus was a great decision. We will certainly use them again in the future. ☘️