Aer Lingus expands transatlantic network with new Raleigh-Durham link

On September 17, 2025, Irish carrier Aer Lingus announced plans for its largest-ever transatlantic summer schedule for 2026. Additionally, as well as adding services on existing routes, the Dublin-based carrier will grow its long-haul network with the introduction of a new direct service from Dublin (DUB) to Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) in North Carolina in April 2026.

Aer Lingus has significantly grown its transatlantic network with the addition of ten new routes in the past four years, thanks in part to the arrival of four new Airbus A321XLR aircraft. As well as new routes such as Dublin to Nashville, Aer Lingus has also added additional capacity to many of its existing routes, and for summer 2026, it is operating its largest transatlantic schedule to date “in response to demand and market opportunities.”

Markus Mainka / Shutterstock For summer 2026, Aer Lingus is introducing third daily flights from Dublin to both New York-JFK (JFK) and Boston (BOS). According to the carrier, the additional flights will have a late evening departure from Dublin and late-night departures from New York and Boston, allowing customers to make the most of their days on both ends of their journeys.

Aer Lingus’ popular new routes from Dublin to Nashville and Indianapolis, both operated by the Airbus A321XLR and launched earlier in 2025, will both see frequency increased from four weekly flights to five in summer 2026, while Dublin to Orlando (MCO) will increase to daily flights in the peak 2026 summer season. Aer Lingus services from Shannon to Boston will also increase by three weekly flights to ten in peak summer.

More A321XLRs, more new routes

Aer Lingus has also announced further expansion of its long-haul network with the introduction of a direct service from Dublin to Raleigh-Durham International Airport, North Carolina. The new route will also be operated by the narrowbody long-range A321XLR, of which the carrier is expecting a further two units to be delivered before the start of 2026.

Beginning in April 2026, the new route will bring the total number of routes Aer Lingus operates to North America to twenty-six. “The continued growth of the airline’s North American network is part of its Dublin Hub strategy, providing a central gateway between North America, Ireland, the UK, and Europe,” said an airline spokesperson.

Croatorum / Shutterstock“The service will connect the cities of Raleigh and Durham directly to Ireland for the first time and serve the wider State of North Carolina, with its population of over 11 million, with greater links to Ireland,” said an airline statement. “The year-round route will operate up to five times weekly on Aer Lingus’ new Airbus A321XLR aircraft. Ireland and North Carolina share deep economic, financial, and educational connections as well as shared heritage, with significant foundations in early Scots-Irish migration.”

GCMap.comWhat the parties say

Commenting at the launch of the new route, Michael Landguth, President and CEO of the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority, said: “Dublin is a high-demand international destination for travelers from the Research Triangle region, and we are proud that Aer Lingus has chosen RDU for this nonstop service. The Aer Lingus flight will provide a quick and convenient journey to Ireland and beyond for tourism, business, and educational opportunities.”

Dux Croatorum / ShutterstockLynne Embleton, CEO, Aer Lingus, added: “We’re delighted to be adding Raleigh-Durham International Airport to our growing North American network. It’s a vibrant and thriving region with well-established links to Ireland, which will be further strengthened with our new direct service.

“In addition to this new route, our 2026 plans reflect another year of growth with increased frequency on our established network, and more choice for our customers. We’ll be serving 26 destinations across North America in 2026, reinforcing Aer Lingus as a popular choice for North Atlantic travel.”

“We’re planning more frequencies to popular new destinations, Nashville and Indianapolis, which launched earlier this year, as well as strengthening our schedule to cities already well established on our network, such as New York, Boston, and Orlando.”

RELATED

Boeing opens defense and space engineering center at Embry-Riddle 

The post Aer Lingus expands transatlantic network with new Raleigh-Durham link appeared first on AeroTime.

Go to Source