Review of Aer Lingus flight from Dublin to Orlando in Economy

Welcome to my latest flight report, documenting a flight which I took to visit Orlando and Miami in early Spring 2013.

Check-in and security through Dublin's Terminal 2 went smoothly and without a hitch. Having some free time I went for a cappuccino and croissant at Lavazza Espression located half-way down T2's Pier E. After my coffee and a little planespotting - naturally - I headed for USCBP. At Dublin one can fully-clear US Customs and thus enter the USA as a domestic passenger. This is great to get done at the beginning of the journey as it means you can avoid CBP queues upon arrival in the US! The processing through CBP took in the region of 30mins. Boarding would commence soon afterwards so I headed to the departure gate.
The aircraft for today would be Airbus A330-200 EI-DUO, aged almost 6 years at the time. Boarding was completed with speed and not too long after we were on push-back from the stand.
The safety briefing was played on the PTV's as the aircraft started its engines and taxied to the runway. Takeoff was rather uneventful, soon breaking through the grey Irish cloud and up into the blue sky over the Atlantic Ocean.
I was quite impressed by EI's IFE offering. The only recently-released Lincoln was available so I started to watch that while the drink and snack service began.

I opted for a packet of bretzels and a Fanta. I was fascinated by the colour of the Fanta. In Europe they use actual orange fruit in the drink, but the US formula appears to consist merely of flavoured and coloured carbonated water!

After the snack and drink service the main meal was promptly served. I got the lamb casserole, which was more like hot dog food! I really hope this is the worst meal I'll ever have to eat on board a plane. It was awful!

Meanwhile we were soon approaching the Eastern-Canadian coast, where heavy snow clouds lay below. We experienced some turbulence here, although nothing major. I really love the little shamrock on EI's A330 wingtips! The mood in the cabin was very buoyant during the flight, with most looking forward to their holiday in Florida.

Passing above a snow-covered New York (inc. JFK airport)!

As we entered the skies of Florida I was intrigued by what seemed to be large fires across the lands. A common sight?

An hour before landing a snack of a scone and tea/coffee was handed out. It was fine.

After a particularly lengthy taxi to the stand - no complaints of course - we disembarked and within 30 mins we were outside arrivals in the warm balmy evening weather of the Sunshine State!