St. Aengus, the Airbus A330-302 wide-body aircraft that would whisk me across the Atlantic Ocean, embarking on a thrilling 10-hour journey from Dublin, Ireland, to Los Angeles, California, soaring over the breathtaking landscapes of Greenland and Canada before touching down on the west coast of the United States. This adventure promised to be a remarkable experience from start to finish.
The anticipation reached a crescendo at Dublin Airport as the call for flight EI069 echoed through the terminal. After one last passport check, we strolled down a short corridor and onto the boarding bridge. At that moment, the reality of embarking on this long-haul transatlantic journey hit home. It was a significant step for me, considering my longest previous flight had been just 4 hours within Europe. The prospect of a flight more than double that length brought a touch of excitement, mingled with a hint of anxiety, lurking in the corners of my mind. But as a spoiler for those venturing on such a journey for the first time, rest assured that even with a 1.5-hour delay before takeoff (Read Why Here), everything unfolded smoothly.
Fact : As of 2023 the island of Ireland has a population of approx 5 million. Los Angeles Metro Area has population of approx 12.5 million for 2023.
Inside the aircraft, we passed through the galley, where the cabin crew welcomed us, checked our boarding passes, and directed us to our seats. Each seat was thoughtfully adorned with complimentary pillows and a stunning Aer Lingus blanket. With pre-flight checks and safety briefings concluded, we taxied toward the runway, and at 16:30 UTC, we were wheels up, bidding farewell to Dublin and embarking on our journey to the sunshine state of California.
I must extend my kudos to the Aer Lingus flight team, who provided impeccable service throughout the flight. It was evident how they strove to accommodate every passenger’s requests with grace and hospitality. The only hiccup was in the meal service, where options were limited by the time they reached our row, which was approximately two-thirds down the aircraft. This meal shortage led to some passengers expressing their frustration. However, I attribute this issue more to airline operations’ planning rather than the fault of the flight crew.
The rest of the flight unfolded smoothly, and I had ample time to explore the entertainment offerings via the back-of-seat screens. The selection of movies and TV shows from the US and Ireland was extensive. Additionally, a flight update screen allowed us to track our progress and estimate our arrival time at LAX, complete with fascinating statistics such as speed and altitude. My only critique of this feature was its lack of interactivity, as it automatically cycled through map perspectives without allowing passengers to zoom in or manipulate it.
Approximately 8 hours into the journey, I awoke from a nap, feeling somewhat disoriented after spending the previous 16 hours traveling and crossing multiple time zones. Looking out the right windows of the aircraft, I was treated to the dazzling neon lights of Las Vegas, with its iconic strip and world-famous hotels visible from our vantage point at 36,000 feet. As we passed Las Vegas, we began our descent into Los Angeles.
Approaching San Bernardino, a mesmerizing sea of city lights stretched out below us. It was as if the city lights would extend indefinitely, a slightly daunting sight considering that the greater Los Angeles area alone boasts a population larger than that of the entire country of Ireland. We touched down on the Northside runway at LAX at 18:37 local time, and by 19:00, we disembarked into the Tom Bradley International Terminal, heading to the baggage reclaim area.
For some unknown reason, we waited for about an hour for our bags to arrive on the conveyor belt. Even the cabin crew’s bags were delayed. This unexpected delay caused some nervous moments, but eventually, our bags arrived, and we made our way out of LAX into the bustling terminal sidewalk.
For this trip, I had opted for a rental car, but not through the conventional rental agencies. Instead, I turned to an app service called Turo, which allows peer-to-peer car sharing. I found a fantastic deal in California—a stunning 2022 Model Y, including insurance, for 7 days at just $630. To put this in context, a “similar” vehicle from a traditional rental company quoted around $850, and with Turo, I had the advantage of selecting the exact vehicle I would be using.
If you plan to use Turo or a similar service for the first time, I recommend checking the feedback from previous users. My personal rule was to choose hosts with at least 50 trips under their belt. While my experience went smoothly, it’s essential to remember that each vehicle is rented out by different people with varying requirements, so carefully review the listing before committing.
Depending on the vehicle you choose on Turo, you may need to meet the host to exchange keys. However, our host had a convenient feature—the car could be unlocked and started via the app using a PIN code provided remotely. This feature proved invaluable, especially given our baggage delay at the airport, as it ensured a seamless pickup without any awkward calls or concerns about the host canceling our booking.
As we ventured into the vast city of Los Angeles over the next 7 days, exploring places like Malibu, Calabasas, Santa Monica, Glendale, and more, I’ll continue to share our journey in the upcoming posts. Stay tuned for the next part of this adventure, and I’ll also provide a separate review of our experience with the stunning Tesla Model S during our week in California.
