Aer Lingus, an Irish airline, has announced the addition of nonstop flights from Dublin to Raleigh-Durham International Airport in the upcoming summer season. The new service will operate up to five times a week starting from April 13, using the advanced Airbus A321XLR aircraft. This expansion marks Aer Lingus’ 26th destination in North America and the fifth transatlantic route at the North Carolina airport, joining Air France, Lufthansa, American Airlines, and Icelandair.
The decision to add this route was based on the growing demand for flights between Dublin and Raleigh-Durham, with the former being the fifth-largest European origin and destination market for the latter. In 2024, the number of two-way passengers between the two cities was recorded at 31,300, showing an increase of over 11% compared to the previous year. Aer Lingus aims to cater to this demand by offering a direct nonstop flight, providing travelers with a quick and convenient journey to Ireland and beyond.
The overall traffic between Raleigh-Durham and Europe has also seen a significant rise, with a total of 701,000 two-way passengers in 2024, showing a 17% increase from the previous year. Among the popular destinations, London ranked first, followed by Paris, Reykjavik, and Rome.
The CEO and President of Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority, Michael Landguth, expressed his pride in Aer Lingus’ decision to choose their airport for this new service. He stated that Dublin is a sought-after destination for travelers from the Research Triangle region, and this nonstop flight will provide them with easy access to Ireland and beyond, catering to tourism, business, and educational opportunities.
Aer Lingus CEO Lynne Embleton also commented on the new route, highlighting the airline’s focus on expanding its long-haul operations from Dublin. She stated that the Research Triangle region has strong ties with Ireland, and this new service will further strengthen these connections.
The launch of this route aligns with Aer Lingus’ strategy of using its new A321XLR aircraft on secondary routes in the United States. The airline received its first two XLRs in December 2024 and has since used them to open routes to Nashville and Indianapolis. Overall, Aer Lingus plans to operate its largest-ever transatlantic schedule in summer 2026, with the addition of a third daily flight to both New York John F. Kennedy and Boston, an increase in frequency for Nashville and Indianapolis, and daily flights for the Dublin-Orlando route during peak summer season. The Shannon-Boston route will also see an increase in frequency, with 10 flights per week.