
Ted here is seen in one the “throne” seats on Aer Lingus flights from Manchester to JFK Airport
For most, a private plane from the UK to New York would be a prohibitive expense. But there is a much more affordable alternative – business class on an Aer Lingus single-aisle Airbus A321neo.
The aircraft recently made its debut on the Irish flag carrier’s new route between Manchester and New York and I was lucky enough to bag a seat on it in business class, discovering that it has a definite private jet vibe – as long as you don’t look behind the curtain into economy.
Snare, as I did, one of the coveted single ‘throne’ berths – they alternate with rows of paired seats – and the experience is elevated to feeling like royalty.
Although I wasn’t feeling so royally at the time, my Uber executive to London Euston arrived at 4:45am to pick me up. The driver then left at 5.01am to drive out the door.
I made it to Euston in enough time to take a picture by the Christmas tree on the concourse before getting on the Avanti West Coast Pendolino at 6.16am for Manchester Piccadilly.
Now it was almost 9am, and I was riding a train that seemed nearly empty from Piccadilly Airport to Manchester Airport. 15 minutes later I was walking through the hub in search of Terminal 2 where transatlantic Aer Lingus flight departs.
The Aer Lingus check in desks were located at the end with the most traffic, near rows of self-service screens.

A 4-2-4 arrangement is used for the seats of Aer Lingus A321 Business-Class Cabin.

Ted’s Aer Lingus A321neo in Manchester Airport
The chirpy official at the check-in asked me to show him my PCR certificate. This caused mild panic. I’d taken an (accepted) antigen test.
Then he admitted to thinking they were identical.
(I recommend some training.
After an exhausting hour in the security queue (though staff cleverly quickly tracked passengers with near flights), I was able to make my way to 1903 Lounge. This lounge is where my business-class tickets allowed me.
It was impressive. It’s spacious with plenty of comfy seating, there’s a nicely presented buffet of hot and cold food – including cooked breakfast items and 1833 vintage reserve cheddar from Somerset-based Barber’s, the world’s oldest cheddar-makers – and various alcoholic libations are proffered via eye-catching circular self-service counters.

Airbus A321neo’s long-range A321neo offers a 15% reduction in fuel use compared with a regular A321 aircraft and 16 fully flat business-class seating (stock photo).

The brand new 1903 Lounge in Manchester Airport has stunning views over the Terminal 2 taxiway.

Named after 1903, the year that the Wright brothers achieved powered flight, the 1903 Lounge was named.
Named in honor of Orville Wright and Wilbur Wright’s first sustained powered flight, the lounge was opened on December 17.
As can be seen from the floor-to-ceiling windows in the lounge, you have stunning views of Terminal 2’s taxiway and runway.
I ensconced myself in one of the chic chairs arranged to face them and watched hi-tech A350s, A380s and Dreamliners trundling around – but my Aer Lingus A321neo remained tantalisingly hidden from view at an out-of-sight gate.
ON BOARD
A plate of sausage, scrambled egg and beans later and I was gazing upon my ride to JFK – a brand-new state-of-the-art long-range Airbus A321neo, which has a 15 per cent reduction in fuel burn compared to a regular A321 and 16 fully lie-flat business-class seats.
After settling into the soothingly-green aisle-access seat on my throne, I narrowed my eyes to check for any niggles.
There is not much to be proud of.
There’s no in-vogue privacy screen, but no matter – the ergonomically designed seat wraps around and cocoons you very nicely indeed. Instantly, I felt comfortable and prepared for my transatlantic journey to New York.
![Ted declares that his 'ergonomically designed seat [above] wraps around and cocoons you very nicely indeed'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/12/08/20/51415831-10282187-image-a-139_1638994728904.jpg)
Ted says that Ted is proud of his ergonomically designed seat [above]You are wrapped around and cocooned very well.

There are two USB slots and plug points on the seat.
While it isn’t the most spacious seat available, its dimensions are perfect for my 5-foot-10in frame. There was plenty of legroom. Even for the most discerning of travelers.
You have many options for custom adjustments.
To my left, by my elbow, was a panel that required a slight twist in order to reach from an upright position. It had three-touch buttons for each mode – upright’ or’relax’ and’sleep’. There were also lumber control, which could be pressed up and down for leg-rest maneuvering and massage, as well as a button to turn a mood lamp on/off.
You can adjust the position of the seat using the separate panel located further down the pod wall. This will reduce the hassle when reclined.
It was impossible to feel uncomfortable.

Taken as Ted’s plane passes Long Island during the descent to JFK Airport


LEFT: Ted’s lunch starter – “flavoursome Prawns with Marie Rose Sauce and Sun-Dried Tomato” RIGHT: The main – ‘succulent roast Parmesan chicken breast with steamed spinach, carrots, baby potatoes and wild mushroom sauce’


The control panels are shown in these images. When the seat is upright, the panel to the left can be seen at elbow height. While the panel on its right allows for recline, the panel to the right will come in handy.

Ted says it’s not wide enough, but Ted found the dimensions to be adequate for his 5-foot-10in frame. The legroom is ample.
You can charge your phone or laptop at the plug points. The crew also gave you a coupon code which worked great.
The storage space available is ample, including a small cupboard to my left and a water-bottle-sized tube below my right leg, as well as a cubby hole under my right knee and an open pocket underneath my (excellent) entertainment screen.
A large and smaller table are located to the right. More than enough horizontal surface area for all your in-flight flotsam and jetsam – phone, tablet… Champagne glass.
Unfortunately, the aircraft was too crowded to allow the crew to put preflight bubbles in (this isn’t a turning left business-class class). However, once the passengers were aboard the cruise, service began and I couldn’t resist the fizz.
In this instance, it was a Duval-Leroy Champagne Brut Reserve (£35 retail) made from Pinot Noir, Meunier and Chardonnay grapes – and it’s a splendid taste-bud tickler. It is refined, light and citrusy with an aroma of roasted almonds.
Onions jam and pecorino rosemary, seaweed biscuits ‘Drinks Biscuits’ from Drinks Bakery complemented the fizz stage. Delightful.
It was also delicious with all the other items on the menu.
For lunch, I enjoyed the starter – flavourful prawns, Marie Rose sauce, and sun dried tomato. I loved the main course, a succulent Parmesan roast chicken breast served with baby potatoes, wild mushroom sauce and steam spinach.
The raspberry white chocolate cheesecake was delicious.
Aer Lingus hadn’t finished feeding me just yet, though – a most inviting afternoon tea arrived about an hour before we landed. As we flew down America’s east coast I tucked into egg and rocket and roast beef sandwiches, plus a trio of delicious mini cakes – lemon and poppy, chocolate opera and Raspberry bakewell.
The only non-fizz beverage I tried was a Cotes-du-Rhone Domaine Clavel, a perfectly serviceable red – soft and fruity.
Perhaps you’re forgiven for believing that I ate, drank and traveled the whole flight.
Not quite true.
My Voya amenity kit included lip balm and hand cream as well as a toothbrush, an earplug, pen, flight socks, mints, eye mask, and a pen. I took a moment to examine it. Although not the best bag in terms of luxury, it is very useful and can be reused many times.
The in-flight entertainment system, which fully works from gate to gate, occupied a bigger chunk of my time.

The afternoon tea of egg and rocket and roast beef sandwiches, plus a trio of delicious mini cakes – lemon and poppy, chocolate opera and Raspberry bakewell

Aer Lingus Lounge at Gate 26 JFK. Ted enjoyed the raindrop-shaped lights, and the grass effect carpet.

Ted writes that there is a distinct private jet vibe. He advises not to look beyond the curtains into economics. After boarding at JFK, he snapped the above picture.

A salmon main on the flight back to Manchester, served with ‘the freshest of fresh salads – plus strawberries’


LEFT: A hot breakfast of fresh fruit and bacon with coffee. RIGHT: Voya’s amenity kit


The main courses and dessert options are shown to the left. Ted enjoyed afternoon tea right about an hour away from New York.


Ted can attest to the quality of Cotes du Rhones from red list. There are libations available from Spain and New Zealand on the white-list.
It was a joy to use – not the biggest in its class but big enough, super-clear and with an intuitive, easily reached touch-screen operating system.
The freebie headphones were one of the blips on the niggle radar – their sound quality was a bit average and they didn’t muffle the cabin noise terribly efficiently.
They were still good enough for me to get lost in the movie. It was done.
(Airlines generally seem to skimp on headphones, with American Airlines being one notable exception – its business class passengers get amazing Bang & Olufsen cans.)
There was no danger – at any point – of the crew becoming a blip.
The pair that crewed the flight were top-notch – friendly, professional, very smartly turned out and eagle-eyed with the Champagne refills.
THE RETURN JONEY – THE VERDICT
Before boarding the red-eye return leg on the Air Lingus A321neo I popped into the carrier’s lounge, by gate 26, which is pleasingly secretive – beyond an easy-to-miss frosted door.
The interior is stylish, relaxing, and chic (I loved the raindrop-shaped light fixtures and grass-effect rug), but it doesn’t offer much in terms of food or drinks.
One counter can be used to steal (tiny!) sandwiches, snacks, coffee, and other alcoholic beverages.
It was amazing that the crew from the flight above were on board and maintained the high standards.
Pre-flight champagne was sent this time.
Foodwise I thoroughly enjoyed a salmon main with the freshest of fresh salads – plus strawberries.
A hot bacon wrap with coffee and fresh fruit made for a very satisfying breakfast.
My only problem was not getting enough sleep.
It is comfortable and has a pillow and blanket. However, the jetstream had caused havoc in my body clock, and I was unable to fall asleep due to the many bumps.
It didn’t stop me from concluding the Aer Lingus A321neo “throne” seat is an amazing experience. This is especially true considering the plane’s one-aisle dimensions.