Aer Lingus has launched its inaugural Dublin–Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) service, with the first flight operating on Monday, 13 April 2026. The North Carolina gateway becomes the carrier’s 23rd destination in North America.
The new route establishes a direct link between Ireland and the Tar Heel State, while feeding Aer Lingus’ Dublin hub with onward connections to more than 20 destinations across the UK and Europe, including Glasgow, Paris, Rome, Amsterdam, London and Madrid.
Services will operate up to five times weekly using the airline’s new Airbus A321XLR fleet. The inaugural flight was operated by EI-XLT, an Airbus A321-253NY(XLR) (msn 12463).
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.”
Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority Board, Chair Tammie Hall-Roberts said “Dublin is one of the most sought-after international destinations for Research Triangle-area travellers, 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.”
The new route to the Raleigh-Durham region brings increased connectivity 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.
Image Credit: Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU)
Irish Aviation Research Institute © 18 April 2026 All Rights Reserved