Aer Lingus announced a new year-round route from Dublin to Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) , North Carolina, commencing 13 April 2026, opening the first direct gateway from RDU to Ireland, operating five times weekly (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday) using two class 184 seat Airbus A321XLR aircraft.
Dublin is one of the most sought-after international destinations RDU does not currently serve. Aer Lingus also offers connections from Dublin Hub to England, Scotland, France, Italy, Belgium, Spain, Switzerland, Germany and the Netherlands.
Aer Lingus CEO Lynne Embleton, said “We’re delighted to be adding Raleigh-Durham International Airport to our growing North American network. 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 onboard our new Airbus A321 XLR aircraft next April.”
Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority CEO Michael Landguth, 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.”
The service will connect the cities of Raleigh and Durham directly to Ireland for the first time and serve the wider State of North Carolina, with its population of over 11 million, with greater links to Ireland. Ireland and North Carolina share deep economic, financial and educational connections as well as shared heritage, with significant foundations in early Scots-Irish migration. Read how Thriving Business and Advocacy Relationships Secured Direct Flight to Dublin
Flight Schedule
EIN85 Depart DUB 1525 Arrives RDU 1855
EIN84 Depart RDU 2025 Arrive DUB 0845 (+1 day)
Image Credit: Airbus
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