Airlines offer single check-in from Cork to US

TWO airlines have signed a deal which will allow passengers departing Cork to get on transatlantic flights with just one booking and without having to check in luggage twice.

The deal by Aer Arann and Aer Lingus comes into effect immediately.

Bookings can be made on aerlingus.com to and from Cork to all seven US destinations serviced by Aer Lingus.

Customers will be able to check-in at Cork Airport, check their luggage through to their final destination in the US and transfer directly to their connecting flight at Dublin Airport.

The new arrangement is also available for customers travelling from the US with connections to Cork.

Aer Arann managing director Garry Cullen said the ability to through-check luggage to your final destination from Cork, and transfer seamlessly to Aer Lingus’s US services in Dublin will be of great benefit to Aer Arann and Aer Lingus customers.

He added that the partnership will benefit Munster by making it more accessible to American tourists.

Aer Lingus chief executive Dermot Mannion said customers can now enjoy ease of transfer at Dublin Airport with the benefit of through- check luggage and pre- clearance facilities, “giving an overall seamless and enjoyable travel experience”.

Aer Lingus currently offers flights from Dublin to Boston, Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Orlando and Washington. Aer Arann offers five flights a day between Dublin and Cork.

The move has been welcomed by Cork Chamber of Commerce. The chamber’s aviation committee chairman, George Barter, said it would make long journeys feel seamless.

“By working together, the two airlines are offering an even greater choice to consumers and [this] opens up opportunities for increased business tourism to the Cork region by the USA inbound tourist and business travellers,” Mr Barter said.