Aer Lingus adds new adventure with direct Dublin - North Carolina route

Aer Lingus has announced that it will commence a new direct flight from Dublin Airport (DUB) to North Carolina's Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) in spring 2026.

Launching on April 13 next year, the new Aer Lingus route between Dublin and North Carolina will operate five times a week - Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday.

Aer Lingus will use its 184-seat Airbus 321XLR for the route, which will have a flight time of seven hours and 20 minutes.

RDU noted that the new Aer Lingus route will mark the first direct gateway from RDU to Ireland.

"Dublin is one of the most sought-after international destinations RDU does not currently serve," the North Carolina airport said. "Aer Lingus also offers connections from Dublin to England, Scotland, France, Italy, Belgium, Spain, Switzerland, Germany, and the Netherlands."

Meanwhile, Aer Lingus says its new route "is all about two-way travel: Irish visitors discovering the best of North Carolina, and North Carolinians feeling right at home in Ireland."

“We’re delighted to be adding Raleigh-Durham International Airport to our growing North American network," Lynne Embleton, CEO of Aer Lingus, said this week.

"It’s a vibrant and thriving region with well-established links to Ireland, that will be further strengthened with our new direct service.

"By connecting important cities like Raleigh and Durham to Ireland, and with Dublin as the ideal gateway to Europe, we continue to meet the needs of underserved markets and the demand for travel.

"Our 2026 plans reflect another year of growth, with new destinations, increased frequency on our established network, and more choice for our customers.

"We’ll be serving 26 routes across North America in 2026, reinforcing Aer Lingus as a popular choice for North Atlantic travel.

"To enable this growth, we have invested significantly in our fleet, and we look forward to welcoming the people of North Carolina on board our new Airbus A321 XLR aircraft next April.”

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 nonstop service.

“The Aer Lingus flight will provide a quick and convenient journey to Ireland and beyond for tourism, business, and educational opportunities.”