Aer Lingus Celebrates Inaugural Flight Between Dublin and Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina
- Joe Breitfeller
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
Aer Lingus has today announced the launch of their inaugural direct flight between Dublin and Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina. Inbound customers to Dublin will also enjoy seamless one-stop connectivity to the UK and Europe.
On Monday (April 23, 2026), Aer Lingus celebrated the launch of their inaugural direct flight between Dublin (DUB) and Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina (RDU) in the U.S. The service will now operate up to five times weekly with an Airbus A321XLR. With the new route, inbound customers from North Carolina will also enjoy seamless one-stop connectivity via Dublin to destinations across the UK and Europe. The inaugural flight, EI85, from Dublin to Raleigh-Durham International Airport further supports Aer Lingus’ Dublin Hub strategy. Next month, Aer Lingus will also launch a new service to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, bringing the airline’s total number of routes from Ireland to North America to 24.
In Monday’s announcement, Aer Lingus’ CEO, Lynne Embleton, said,
“Our new route creates a direct connection between Ireland and the Raleigh-Durham region for the first time, making it even easier for customers to travel to Dublin and onwards to destinations across the UK and Europe. The Raleigh-Durham region is a hub for technology, innovation and research, and this additional connectivity to that region will allow the business and educational ties on both sides of the Atlantic to flourish. Launching ahead of the 2026 Aer Lingus College Football Classic makes this service especially timely, and we’re really looking forward to welcoming UNC fans to Ireland this August as the Tar Heels take to the field at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.”
Also commenting on Aer Lingus’ new service, Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority Board’s Chairman, Tammie Hall-Roberts, said,
“Dublin is one of the most sought-after international destinations for Research Triangle-area travelers, and the nonstop Aer Lingus service makes for a quick and convenient journey. RDU is proud to welcome an exciting new route that connects our community to new adventures and business opportunities in Ireland and beyond.”
Aer Lingus Celebrates New Direct Service Between Dublin and Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina - Courtesy Aer Lingus
The new route connects Dublin to North Carolina’s Research Triangle, which includes Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill. The innovation hub is home to Research Triangle Park (RTP), one of the largest research parks in the world, which houses hundreds of tech and biotech companies. The region is also home to top universities such as North Carolina State University (Raleigh), Duke University (Durham) and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, making it a hub for innovation, research and higher education.
Founded in 1936, Aer Lingus is the national flag carrier of Ireland. The carrier operates over 100 routes from Dublin, Cork, Shannon and Knock to Europe, the UK and North America. Aer Lingus is a 4-star airline, awarded by Skytrax, the international air transport rating organization. Aer Lingus is a member of International Airlines Group (IAG), one of the world’s largest airline groups. As part of IAG, Aer Lingus is committed to a more sustainable future by investing in fuel-efficient aircraft, increasing the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), and enhancing operational efficiencies across their network.
Source: Aer Lingus
