DUBLIN — Aer Lingus has announced six new routes for its 2026 summer schedule, including its next transatlantic service from Dublin Airport to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
The airline confirmed the new connections as part of its continued expansion strategy for both European and North American destinations.
The Dublin-Pittsburgh route is set to begin on May 25, 2026, operating four times a week with fares starting from €289 one-way. The introduction of Pittsburgh brings Aer Lingus’s North American network to 24 destinations, following the recent announcement of a Dublin-Raleigh-Durham service scheduled for April next year.
The service will be operated using the Airbus A321neo LR, a single-aisle aircraft central to the airline’s plan to grow Dublin as a transatlantic hub.
Aer Lingus has previously launched flights to smaller U.S. cities, including Indianapolis and Cleveland, leveraging the aircraft’s extended range.
In Europe, the airline will add new destinations including Asturias in Spain, Montpellier in France, and Oslo in Norway from Dublin Airport. Cork Airport will see two new routes to Nice, France, and Santiago de Compostela, Spain, catering to both leisure and cultural travel markets.
The Oslo service, operating four times weekly, expands on Aer Lingus’s current winter route to Tromso, marking its first scheduled service to Norway. Flights to Asturias, Montpellier, and Nice will operate twice weekly, while the Cork-Santiago route will also operate twice weekly starting June 1, offering access to the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route.
Santiago-Rosalía de Castro Airport is set to close for runway maintenance from April 23 to May 27, 2026, temporarily affecting travel plans. Aer Lingus has confirmed that flights from Dublin to Santiago will not be available for booking during this period, while Ryanair will continue selling tickets for the same dates.
Aer Lingus also announced route discontinuations in response to evolving travel demand. Flights from Dublin to Dalaman, Turkey, and Cork to Dubrovnik, Croatia, will be removed from the summer 2026 schedule. The airline cited customer preferences and demand patterns as the reason for these adjustments.
The announcement comes as part of Aer Lingus’s broader plan to increase flight frequencies across its existing transatlantic and European network, solidifying Dublin’s role as a hub for long-haul connections.
Cabin crew members Rusana Sobolevska and Pedro de Barros were featured in the airline’s promotional materials highlighting the expanded network and new routes.
Aer Lingus is positioning the Pittsburgh route to attract both business and leisure travellers, emphasizing connectivity to the wider U.S. market. The airline has increasingly focused on smaller U.S. hubs, offering alternatives to the traditional coastal gateways.
Passengers travelling to Santiago in summer 2026 are advised to plan around the airport closure and confirm flights with their airline. Aer Lingus has confirmed that alternative arrangements will be communicated in advance to affected travellers.
The airline’s expansion reflects a positive outlook for international travel demand, supported by recent surveys showing Irish holidaymakers planning more trips in 2026. According to travel insurance provider Multitrip.com, 64% of respondents intend to travel more next year, although 38% expressed doubt about achieving their dream holidays.
Aer Lingus has leveraged aircraft such as the Airbus A321neo LR to efficiently operate long-range routes while maintaining flexibility across its European network. This approach has allowed the airline to introduce new destinations without the higher costs of wide-body aircraft deployment.
The airline continues to adapt to evolving travel trends and passenger preferences, focusing on leisure, cultural, and business destinations across Europe and North America.
Aer Lingus confirmed that the summer 2026 schedule will see the largest transatlantic network in the airline’s history, reflecting growing confidence in passenger demand following recovery from pandemic-related disruptions.
The company emphasized its commitment to providing passengers with convenient connections from regional airports, such as Cork, to international destinations, highlighting the importance of Ireland’s secondary airports in supporting tourism and economic growth.
Travel experts predict that the combination of new European and North American routes will strengthen Aer Lingus’s position in a competitive market, offering greater choice for passengers while supporting Ireland’s transatlantic connectivity.
Passengers are encouraged to monitor bookings and announcements closely, particularly for routes affected by temporary airport closures or seasonal adjustments.
Aer Lingus’s latest schedule announcements demonstrate the airline’s ongoing strategy to balance expansion with operational efficiency, ensuring that new routes are commercially viable while meeting passenger demand.
The airline has confirmed that full flight schedules and booking details for all new and continuing routes will be published in the coming months ahead of the 2026 summer season.