Irish TikTok is up in arms after a U.S. traveler calls the beloved national carrier Aer Lingus a budget airline.
Autumn Gruber, profile “your corporate bestie,” has over 84 thousand followers on the platform and shared a video of her recent one-way $150 fare on Aer Lingus from New York to Dublin.
She called it the “best money I’ve ever spent” and raved about the airline’s experience. This terrific deal was an Aer Lingus bare fare, covering only carry-on luggage. However, Gruber’s labeling Aer Lingus a “budget airline” hurt some Irish TikTokers.
“Budget Airline 😳 Aer Lingus is our national carrier,” one commented.
“Are Lingus IS NOT a budget airline! It’s a national treasure,” another asserted.
Still, while many argued with the “budget airline” label, a number congratulated Gruber on snagging the deal.
As one commented, “Aer Lingus is our National carrier. It’s definitely not a budget airline, but they have a range of fares. Enjoy your trip.”
For its part, Aer Lingus responded favorably to the post and made no fuss over the label, simply writing: “You’re very welcome! 😉☘️”
And Gruber’s post seemed to have worked in the airline’s favor.
“The comments and your TikTok convinced me to book with them,” one TikToker said.
It’s a great result for Aer Lingus, especially during the week JetBlue launched its daily service between New York and Dublin with limited round-trip fares starting at $399. This is a competitive marketplace and travelers from the U.S. account for nearly 20% of all overseas tourism in Ireland.
If FlightChic were a bit more skeptical, she might suggest this is an ideal marketing effort to generate controversy over the national airline and boost conversation around its services. But surely, it’s just a coincidence. A slightly misinformed but happy U.S. traveler enjoyed her extremely affordable flight—some Irish luck just in time for St. Patrick’s Day.
And you can’t fault the Irish on TikTok for wanting to clarify that Aer Lingus is the national airline and not a “budget airline,” even if it is friendly on the budget. After all, Ireland is also the home base of Europe’s largest “budget airline”: Ryanair. They wouldn’t want overseas visitors to confuse the two carriers. Right?
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