Triangle-area travelers headed to Ireland are in luck! Nonstop flights on Aer Lingus from Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) to Dublin Airport (DUB) will take off in April 2026, opening the first direct gateway from RDU to Ireland.
“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,” said Michael Landguth, president and CEO of the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority. “The Aer Lingus flight will provide a quick and convenient journey to Ireland and beyond for tourism, business and educational opportunities.”
Dublin is one of the most sought-after international destinations RDU does not currently serve. Aer Lingus also offers connections from Dublin to England, Scotland, France, Italy, Belgium, Spain, Switzerland, Germany and the Netherlands.
Lynne Embleton, CEO of Aer Lingus, 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.”
RDU will have a record twenty airlines and nonstop service to 15 international destinations when Aer Lingus launches next spring, offering the Triangle region more options than ever before for travel outside the U.S.
Fast Facts:
Launch Date: April 13, 2026
Schedule: 5 times/week (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday)
Aircraft: 184-seat Airbus 321XLR
Length of Flight: 7 hours, 20 minutes
