Dublin Airport

Airport Information

Dublin Airport

Dublin Airport officially opened at 9:00am on January 19, 1940. It was a cold Friday morning when the inaugural flight – an Aer Lingus Lockheed 14 bound for Liverpool – departed from Collinstown Airport, as it was then known.

In the late 1930s, development had begun on a terminal building and grass runways at the Collinstown site. The architect of the new terminal building was Desmond FitzGerald, an elder brother of the former Taoiseach, Dr. Garret FitzGerald.

The curved building with its tiered floors was designed to echo the lines of a great ocean liner and won many architectural awards for its design. This original terminal building was designed to cater for just 100,000 passengers a year.

The airport opened with just one flight a day to Liverpool and Collinstown was effectively mothballed during the Second World War, as Aer Lingus operated a twice-weekly service to Liverpool. Aer Lingus resumed its London service to Croydon in November 1945.

By 1947, flights departing from Dublin had ventured as far as Continental Europe, with Dutch airline KLM beginning the first European service to Dublin. New concrete runways were completed in 1948, and in 1950 – after ten years in operation – the airport had been used by a total of 920,000 passengers.

By the late 1950s, the original terminal was incapable of handling growing passenger numbers, so the new North Terminal was opened in June 1959. Originally it had been planned that this building would handle all US and European flights, but instead it became the arrivals area for all passengers.

By the 1960s, new departure gate piers were added adjacent to the old terminal to cope with larger aircraft. However it soon it became apparent that the original terminal building could no longer cope with passenger demand. Work began in 1971 on a new terminal building designed to cater for an expected six million passengers per year. The new £10 million terminal opened in June 1972.

The airport has greatly expanded since then with the addition of a new terminal, new departure gate piers, an extension to the 1971 terminal building, a new runway and taxiways.

In November 2010, Dublin Airport’s Terminal 2 and its connected boarding gate pier were opened. The award-winning new terminal will allow the airport to handle more than 30 million passengers per year. It will ensure that Dublin Airport continues to be what Desmond FitzGerald had originally envisaged – a modern European airport that is Ireland’s premier aviation gateway.

More than 400 million passengers have travelled through Dublin Airport since that first flight took off in 1940. The old terminal, which is a listed building, is still partially used for daily passenger operations and many of the internal design features of the building have been retained as a reminder of those early days of aviation.

Airport Profile

  • Luggage Facilities

    Left Luggage and Baggage Storage Facility
    Baggage storage is now available from the Excess Baggage Group in the Terminal 1 arrivals hall. The facility also provides travel accessories, luggage for purchase, printing services, worldwide and local shipping, SIM cards and a variety of onward travel and tour tickets.

    Opening hours:

    Bag Wrapping Machines
    Bag wrapping with bag wrap machines are now available in Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 departures. The facilities also provide travel accessories and luggage for purchase.

    Terminal 1 Departures
    Bag wrap and retail: 04:00-21:00
    Contact Number: +353 86 777 8186
    Opening hours: 04:00 – 20:00

    Terminal 2 Departures
    Bag wrap and retail: 04:00-20:00
    Contact Number: +353 86 142 6993
    Opening hours: 04:00-20:00

    Luggage Trolleys
    For passenger convenience, baggage trolleys are available to use free of charge. They are located in 50 trolley bays throughout the airport complex

    Trolley guidelines 

    • Please don’t overload trolleys
    • Please return trolleys to the nearest trolley bay
    • Never block walkways, exits, or roads
    • Trolleys cannot be used on escalators

  • Check-In

    Terminal 1
    The check-in desks in Terminal 1 are located on the first floor of the building. Find airlines leaving from this terminal here.

    Terminal 2
    The check-in desks in Terminal 2 are located on the ground floor of the building. Find airlines leaving from this terminal here.

    Preparation for check-in and security screening
    To save time, have your tickets and passport ready, and ensure your hand luggage contains only the items you may need during your journey.

    Prepare your liquids, gels or pastes in a single, sized -maximum 1 litre’s worth of contents and sealed plastic bag that is presented separately to your hand luggage.

    Check-in times
    As a general guide:

    • Dublin Airport would advise passengers to arrive at check-in at least 90 minutes prior to European flights and 3 hours for long-haul flights and to factor in a further 30 minutes if parking a car.
    • Please consult with your airline for check-in times for your flight as times vary.
    • Some airlines also offer an evening-before bag drop service .

    Self-service online check-in and bag drop

    • A number of scheduled airlines offer self-service check-in kiosks and internet check-in technologies in order to facilitate their passengers with early check-in, seat selection and issue of boarding passes.
    • Airline employees should be on hand if you require any assistance with the self-service kiosks.
    • Passengers can check in their check-in luggage at the check in area – either with an airline customer bag drop desk, or at the self-service bag drop kiosks.

    Online check-in passenger information

    • Online check-in passengers must proceed through security screening areas as normal.
    • Please allow plenty of time to proceed through security screening.
    • Please refer to the flight information screens located after security screening throughout the shopping and boarding areas.
    • These screens list flight departures for your destination, boarding time and gate number.

  • Lounges

    We have four Lounges for you to enjoy before your flight, Lounges in Terminal 1 and 2, 51st&Green, a Lounge located after US Preclearance and near the US Departures Gates and The East Lounge located beyond the passenger security screening area between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.

    Terminal 1 & Terminal 2 Lounges
    Lounge access includes:

    • Tranquil setting, comfortable, air-conditioned Lounges
    • Complimentary drinks, snacks, newspapers and magazines
    • A dedicated Business Centre providing computer access
    • Free Wi-Fi access throughout the Lounge

    Locations

    • Terminal 1 – Lounge is located between the Security lanes, on the second floor and is accessible via the lift or the stairs.
    • Terminal 2 – Lounge is on the same level as the 400 gates, access from the lift brings you direct to the Lounges corridor and is sign-posted.
    • Please note, access to the Lounges in Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 are not available after US Preclearance.

    Opening hours

    • Terminal 1: From 04.00 to 21.30
    • Terminal 2: From 05.00 to 19.00

     

    51st&Green US Preclearance Lounge
    Located in Terminal 2 after US Preclearance and beside the US departure gates, this Lounge is the perfect retreat away from the bustling Terminal and somewhere to enjoy a few hours of rest and relaxation before your long-haul flight.

    Lounge access is priced at €35 p/p online or €39 at reception and is complimentary to business class ticket holders.

    Lounge access includes

    • Drinks, snacks & fresh Irish dishes with an American twist
    • Barista coffee and cocktails
    • High speed Wi-Fi to download in-flight entertainment
    • Entertainment screen with live sports
    • Quiet space to work with multiple charging units
    • Shower facilities to freshen up before your flight
    • Breath-taking runway views

     

    The East Lounge
    We look forward to welcoming you to Dublin Airport’s premium lounge for those travelling east, where we aspire to deliver the perfect balance of Irish hospitality with touches of luxury. The East Lounge offers all the luxury the modern traveller expects including freshly prepared food, an extensive choice of refreshments, privacy, tranquillity and space.

    Lounge access is priced at €50 p/p online or €55 at reception and is complimentary for Qatar Airways, Emirates and Etihad First and Business class passengers travelling east.

    What’s Included

    • Complimentary buffet style and A La Carte table service meals
    • Complimentary premium drinks – cocktails, wine, beer and soft drinks
    • Complimentary barista style coffee and world class choice of teas
    • Free unlimited WiFi
    • Private business booths
    • Access to luxury shower rooms to use before your flight
    • Stunning runway views
    • Use of quiet and peaceful prayer rooms.

    Opening hours

    • Summer: 1st April – 31st October: 06:40-22.00
    • Winter: 1st November – 31st March: 05:30 – 20:30 (Monday, Wednesday, Friday & Sunday), 04:45-20:30 (Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday)
    • Online bookings available between 13.00 – 18.00.

    Location

    • The East Lounge is located after Security on the corridor that connects Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.
    • For Terminal 1, it is a short walk to the left once you
      have cleared Security screening.
    • For Terminal 2, after passing Security screening, go through the shopping area and take the lift or stairs that are located behind the Irish Memories shop, and exit on Level 1. The East Lounge is located to the left after a short walk down the corridor.

  • Shopping at The Loop

    The Loop at Dublin Airport is the ultimate luxury shopping destination, showcasing the best of Irish and international brands across beauty, liquor, confectionery and souvenirs at Ireland’s main international gateway.
    Opening hours are as follows, and details of the ranges on offer are below.Terminal 1: Monday – Sunday 04:00 – 00:00, Shop and Collect: Monday-Sunday 06:30 – 22:00Terminal 2: Monday – Sunday 04:00 – 22:00, Shop & Collect: Monday-Sunday 05:00 – 00:00The Loop Beauty Brands
    Featuring over 100 beauty brands, including international favourites Jo Malone, Tom Ford,La Mer, Dior, Estée Lauder, Clarins, Clinique, Lancôme, Bobbi Brown,M.A.C and Chanel, The Loop is home to one of Ireland’s largest beauty emporiums. With a saving of at least 15% on beauty favourites compared to downtown prices and up to 40% off selected lines.

    The New T2 Beauty Hall
    Experience the ultimate new beauty destination, the T2 Beauty Hall at The Loop – big on beauty, small on price. The T2 Beauty Hall is bigger and better than ever before, with over 30 new brands and exclusive products, all at least 15% compared to the high street.

    Expert Advice
    Our knowledgeable staff and brand ambassadors throughout The Loop offer expert advice. As well as numerous complimentary tastings and beauty services.

    For shoppers looking for something unique that cannot be purchased downtown/on the high street, there is also an extensive range of attractive airport exclusive products available.

    Irish Whiskey Collection
    This award-winning store is also home to The Irish Whiskey Collection, described as the most diverse collection of iconic and exclusive whiskeys in the world.

    The Irish Whiskey Collection offering an impressive range of local and international whiskeys to suit all tastes, boasting a unique collection of 365 whiskeys – one for every day of the year and is the most diverse collection in the world.  In-store whiskey and gin ambassadors are also on hand to impart extensive expert knowledge.

    Click & Collect
    Buy before you fly. With our Click & Collect service you can purchase online before you travel and collect your purchases at the airport.

    Shop & Collect
    You can buy instore at The Loop before you depart and collect on your return.

Images

Contact

Dublin Airport
Collinstown
Fingal
Dublin
Ireland
  • + 353 1 8141111

Social