Aer Lingus Announces Expanded Transatlantic Summer Schedule for 2026

In preparation for the summer season of 2026, Aer Lingus has revealed its largest ever transatlantic schedule, including an increase in flights from Shannon Airport to Boston. This expansion will see an additional three flights per week from mid-May to August 20, bringing the total number of weekly flights to ten. This increase in service will significantly enhance transatlantic connectivity from the West of Ireland, with over 350,000 seats available for travel to North America from Shannon Airport, the highest number since 2018.

New Routes and Increased Options

In addition to the expanded Boston service, Aer Lingus also offers flights from Shannon to New York JFK, London Heathrow, and Paris Charles de Gaulle. This provides customers with a range of options for their summer travels. The growth of these routes reflects the growing demand for travel between the Mid-West region and the United States, while also highlighting Shannon Airport’s strategic importance as a transatlantic gateway.

Ray O’Driscoll, Interim CEO of The Shannon Airport Group, expressed his delight with the announcement, stating that it is a strong vote of confidence in the region and in Shannon Airport’s role in supporting tourism, business, and diaspora travel. He also highlighted the additional flexibility and convenience that these flights will offer passengers, as well as the anticipation of welcoming more visitors through the airport’s doors.

Expanded Services and Growth

This year, Shannon Airport has offered a choice of five daily U. S. flights during the summer season, including year-round services to Boston and New York JFK with Aer Lingus, as well as services to New York-Newark and Chicago with United Airlines, and New York JFK with Delta. With the addition of the expanded Boston service in 2026, the total number of transatlantic seats from Shannon Airport will increase to over 350,000. This marks the highest number of seats to North America since 2018, demonstrating the continued growth and expansion of the airport’s transatlantic network.

New Direct Service from Dublin to North Carolina

Aer Lingus has also announced the introduction of a new direct service from Dublin Airport to Raleigh-Durham International Airport in North Carolina, beginning in April 2026. This will bring the airline’s total number of routes to North America to 26 and is part of its Dublin Hub strategy, providing a central gateway between North America, Ireland, the UK, and Europe. The new year-round route will operate up to five times weekly, using the airline’s new Airbus A321 XLR aircraft.

Donal Moriarty, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at Aer Lingus, expressed his excitement about the growth of the airline’s transatlantic network and the increased capacity on the Shannon-Boston route for next summer. He also looks forward to connecting more customers to the East Coast of the U. S. and bringing more visitors from the U. S. to the Shannon region.