MORRISVILLE, N.C. (WPTF) – A direct connection to the Triangle and Ireland is now a reality.
The inaugural Aer Lingus flight between Raleigh-Durham International Airport and Dublin, Ireland, launched Monday (April 14) with support from the region’s Irish-American community.
“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,” said Tammie Hall-Roberts, Chair of the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority Board. “RDU is proud to welcome an exciting new route that connects our community to new adventures and business opportunities in Ireland and beyond.”
Nonstop flights will operate five times a week on a 184-seat Airbus 321XLR. The new route also offers football fans an easy option for traveling to the 2026 Aer Lingus College Football Classic in Dublin featuring UNC-Chapel Hill this August.
Lynne Embleton, Chief Executive Officer, Aer Lingus, 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 Aviva Stadium in Dublin.”
The Heels will take on TCU in the Aer Lingus college football classic on August 29th.
Dublin joins London, Paris, Frankfurt and Iceland as RDU’s record fifth transatlantic destination. Aer Lingus offers connections from Dublin to England, Scotland, France, Italy, Belgium, Spain, Switzerland, Germany and the Netherlands.