Updated August 2024–Are you planning a trip to the Emerald Isle in 2024? As travel has ticked up post-Covid, there is more pressure on the airline industry to get its passengers to their destinations safely and on time.
In this post, you'll find some valuable tips to keep in mind when flying to Ireland, ranked second in a list of the world's most peaceful countries, as well as tips on how to enjoy your vacation safely when you're there.
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Be Prepared In Case Your Flight is Cancelled or Disrupted
According to the U.S. Dept. of Transportation's Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 40,790 of the over 2,850,187 flights scheduled in 2024 were canceled because of bad weather, mechanical issues or scheduling problems.
If you find yourself in that situation, there are some things you can do.
If you want to keep an eye on flight trends before you travel, you might want to download your airline's app to your mobile phone.
Most apps will give you up-to-date information on flight schedules, and even if it is being listed as delayed, I'd advise that you proceed to the airport anyway in case of any last-minute changes, including the fact that some flights have been known to go out on time or even earlier in such situations.
To see if your flight has been delayed on the day of your travel, it might be a good idea to check FlightAware's live Misery Map.
It is important to know your rights if indeed your flight is canceled or significantly delayed.
If you choose not to travel as a result, you are entitled to a refund, no matter the reason for the disruption. This is thanks to new refund rules enforced by the DOT that say you are entitled to your money back, no questions asked.
The refund applies to any unused portion of your airline ticket.
If you get stranded overnight, you may also be able to recoup costs for extra meals, hotel nights and ground transportation, but that depends on the airline involved.
The dashboard on FlightRights.gov will give you an idea of the airlines that are the most generous when it comes to this type of situation
It includes a rundown of what the airlines will guarantee the traveler in the event of a “controllable” delay or cancellation, i.e. disruptions within an airline's control.
This does not include weather-related delays.
Look for Flexible Airfare Policies with the Major Airlines Flying Into Ireland
Aer Lingus
During the pandemic and even up until September 2022, Aer Lingus had waived its change fees regardless of the fare type or when you were expected to travel.
As of 2024, those change fees have once again been enforced.
If you made your reservation through a travel agent or third-party website, it is best to contact the agent/third party to make the necessary change to your booking.
The flexibility options available to passengers traveling on Aer Lingus flights comes down to the type of fare you book.
In summary, you will be in a more advantageous position if you purchase the more expensive tickets, like Flex, Business or Business Flex.
On the Aer Lingus transatlantic routes, change fees are waived for Smart, Flex, Business and Business Flex fares. However, a fare difference may apply, so the change is not without a charge either, albeit it a much lesser one than for passengers who purchase the popular Saver and Smart fares.
For those originating elsewhere in Europe, flexibility is limited to those holding Advantage or AerSpace fares. However, all changes, including upgrades, are subject to a fare difference.
Passengers who have Saver or Plus fares will have to pay a change fee, as well as any difference in cost between the original fare that was paid and the price available at the time the change is being made.
More information can be found on the Aer Lingus website.
American Airlines
Recently, American Airlines waived its change fees on domestic, short-haul (up to 3 hours) and select long-haul (6-12 hours) flights for passengers with Premium Cabin, Premium Economy and Main Cabin fares.
Basic economy fares are still non-refundable and non-changeable.
United Airlines
Many in the airline industry believe that United Airlines has the friendliest and most customer-centric of booking options.
Their new flexible booking policy states that if you're flying on an Economy, Economy Plus® or a premium cabin ticket, your change fees will be waived.
However, if you have a Basic Economy ticket, you must upgrade to Economy or Premium Cabin to avail of the free change policy rule.
Delta Airlines
Delta is the only major US airline to completely eliminate change and cancellation fees for all ticket types, including basic economy fares, otherwise referred to as Main Cabin seats.
In addition, the airline's eCredit system allows passengers to apply the full value of their unused ticket towards a future flight, without incurring any fees or penalties.
Jet Blue
There are no change/cancel fees on most of JetBlue’s fares, except for Blue Basic.
For all other tickets, including its Blue, Blue Plus, Blue Extra and Mint fares, the airline’s Flexible Fares program offers customers the ability to change or cancel flights without fees up to 24 hours before departure.
If you bought a Blue Basic fare, no changes are allowed. However, your reservation can be cancelled for a fee of $100 per person for flights going to other destinations in the US, as well as Central America and the Caribbean, and $200 per person for the airline’s other routes.
Safety Tips to Remember While You're in Ireland
Staying safe while traveling around Ireland is just as important as it would be anywhere else in the world. Here are some things to keep in mind.
1. Be Aware of Ireland's Cliffs
If you are interested in hiking near Ireland's cliffs, realize that it can be extremely dangerous if you get too close.
Each year, over a million people visit the Cliffs of Moher and a sizeable, but lesser amount of people visit other cliff attractions around the country.
While there is a protective wall at the Cliffs of Moher, there are places that have no protection whatsoever, especially paths along the cliffs where the ground may be uneven in places.
Please be careful when walking in these areas. Earlier this year, a female college student fell to her death after losing her footing near the cliff’s edge.
2. Take Care if Cycling on Ireland's Roads
While there are many greenways created in Ireland specifically for cyclists and walkers, there are times when cyclists may want to navigate the roads.
That applies to those who want to experience attractions like the Ring of Kerry, the Slea Head Drive or the Beara Peninsula on a bicycle.
Because the County Kerry attractions, in particular, are very popular, it is advisable to take care, especially as you navigate bends on roads that are used by cars and buses.
This can also be hazardous for drivers who may not be expecting a cyclist on the road.
In my opinion, it's better to see those attractions in a car or bus and leave the cycling for a greenway.
3. Be Street-Wise When Visiting Cities in Ireland
While Ireland is relatively safe, as mentioned at the beginning of this article, it's always wise to know your surroundings when in a foreign city.
Dublin is Ireland's capital and because of that, it tends to have more crime than other urban areas in Ireland.
With that said, there are some areas of the city that might be sketchy late at night, especially around the Pearse Street Garda Station in Dublin’s south inner city, which is known to be crime-ridden.
Be mindful of taking your phone out in public as well as there is an increase of cell phone robberies across Europe this year.
4. Be Prepared When Hiking
Hiking in Ireland is a popular activity for many, but if you plan on hiking up a mountain or in some of Ireland's remote areas, you'll need to be prepared.
That includes having reliable WiFi and the necessary essentials for safety since Ireland's weather can change on a dime, from sunny to stormy in a few minutes.
Always carry a backpack with warmer clothing (layers are essential) and an extra pair of socks, together with snacks and of course water.
I travel to Ireland and across the world with my trusted LLBean Stowaway backpack – great quality and fits a lot inside.
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In addition, wear proper hiking boots that have been well broken in as the ground in Ireland can be damp, muddy and slippery in mountainous regions.
Purchase Travel Insurance Just In Case
For most tourists planning a trip to the Emerald Isle, travel insurance hasn't always been a part of their agenda.
In a post-Covid world, attitudes have been slowly changing. In addition, more travelers are realizing that their regular health plans will not cover them outside of the United States in the event of a medical emergency.
A variety of new policies are now available that offer coverage for unexpected sickness prior to taking a trip, as well as covering policyholders who are diagnosed with Covid while traveling abroad, a term in the insurance business known as trip interruption benefit.
Travel insurance is of course wise to have in the event of any medical emergency. The best advice I can give you is to read the fine print closely.
There are several brokers offering comparisons of various travel insurance policies.
Some include Travelinsurance.com, InsureMyTrip, Squaremouth, and Travel Insurance Master, a U.S.-based travel insurance startup that uses a smart algorithm aimed at providing results based on a traveler's specific needs.
I hope that some of the information listed above will help if you are planning a trip to Ireland that will be safe and enjoyable.
