We flew with Aer Lingus into El Prat last week for a family holiday. Everything was fine until we exited the baggage hall. It was into a desolate hall, I mean nothing in it - no staff, shops etc meaning no idea where to go for car hire. After walking up & down outside eventually we discovered we had to got from Hall A to B. Why no signage or advance warning? Anyway got there and eventually found Firefly desk - yes it's pratically hidden but I was aware of this beforehand. However we then spent 1hr and 50 mins in the queue to get to the desk. Crazy stuff this. Another 10 - 15 mins outside getting the car. I looked on the way back and it was the same. So Firefly is cheap but be prepared for a long wait - all other desks had only 2-3 people waiting.
Beware Barcelona Airport & Firefly
- Thread starter 149oaks
- Start date
You don't complain about "baggage reclaim or steps, etc.". Insofar as I can see your issue was once you passed beyond the point where you can reasonably expect some service from Aer Lingus or their agents. You didn't like the area after the baggage hall and found signposting wanting. I agree with emeralds, I think your issue more correctly with El Prat airport.
But where is that point. Look at it this way - if you were to walk out of Dublin Airport Baggage hall into a completely empty building with no signage or people. Yes that's DAA responsibility. But should an airline do that to it's customers and pay Airport charges? I don't think so. Anyway I'm simply making people aware.
Airlines pay airport charges for landing and processing passengers (so customs, immigration, security and the phyiscal transit of people and their baggage. So toilets would be a necessity but a coffee shop isn't) they don't pay for duty free, coffee stands etc. Your complaint is best directed to the airport. You can complain to Aer Lingus if you prefer and they will pass it on to El Prat because it isn't anything to do with Aer Lingus itself. They do not want you to have a negative experience so they will likely use it in any discussion they have with El Prat.
The title of the thread indicates you had a problem with Aer Lingus which seems a tad unfair given it was not with Aer Lingus at all.
If you want more details on what your airport charges pay for have a look here. http://www.airportcharges.com/
The title of the thread indicates you had a problem with Aer Lingus which seems a tad unfair given it was not with Aer Lingus at all.
If you want more details on what your airport charges pay for have a look here. http://www.airportcharges.com/
I dealt with Firefly before in Málaga and found them to be worst people with which to deal. Have a look on tripadvisor and see the hundreds of complaints against them, but to be fair there were three posts lauding their service. The long wait for a car was the least of my dealings with that atrocious car rental company.
If you don't take out their insurance be prepared for their "treatment." Do yourself a favour and don't use Firefly anywhere in Spain.
If you don't take out their insurance be prepared for their "treatment." Do yourself a favour and don't use Firefly anywhere in Spain.
Look I'm not convinced re Aer Lingus but I'll let it go, though our other National Airline - Ryanair - at least let their passengers out into a proper Terminal in El Prat! Regarding Firefly I have an Annual Excess Policy so when asked re Insurance it was quickly over. I bought their Freedom Package online whilst booking for €37 which allowed driving into France and an extra driver for the 9 days. I did note other people complaining re €7/day to drive into France. So you have to be prepared for them and expect the queue which may be caused by their "treatment".
As a query does anybody know why additional insurance has to be bought to drive across to France. EU, open borders, freedom of movement etc come to my mind.
As a query does anybody know why additional insurance has to be bought to drive across to France. EU, open borders, freedom of movement etc come to my mind.
Several reasons - your own private motor policy doesnt necessarily provide your full cover to drive to France, EU either. There is an EU directive that states a motor insurer must provide the minimum cover required in that country. i.e. road traffic act cover only. no fire. no theft. no accident damage. More than likely though a car hire company self insures via a captive insurance company and the €7 is to cover administration costs involved in "extending" cover.
