Aer Lingus

Aer Lingus (EI) is based in Dublin (DUB). It is not in an alliance, but it is part of the same group as British Airways and Iberia, so Avios is its natural award currency. Two big draws for US travelers: transatlantic award pricing from the East Coast is short-distance and cheap in Avios, and Dublin has US preclearance, so you land at home as a domestic passenger.

Aer Lingus

How to search for Aer Lingus award space:

Step 1

Search on ba.com with a free Executive Club account. Aer Lingus flights show in the reward flight search alongside BA’s own.

Step 2

Search routes touching Dublin (DUB), like JFK-DUB, BOS-DUB, ORD-DUB, or onward connections into Europe.

Step 3

Cross-check on aa.com, since American AAdvantage also partners with Aer Lingus and sometimes sees space differently.

Step 4

Book with Avios (BA or Iberia account), AAdvantage miles, or Alaska Mileage Plan. Boston and New York to Dublin are among the cheapest lie flat transatlantic awards in Avios anywhere.

Tips before you book

  • Surcharges on Aer Lingus awards are far lower than on British Airways’ own transatlantic flights. Same points, much smaller cash add-on.
  • Dublin preclearance means you clear US immigration before boarding, which makes tight onward connections in the US painless.