**Aer Lingus Enhances Transatlantic Network with New Route from Dublin to Pittsburgh**
Aer Lingus has unveiled plans for a new transatlantic route linking Dublin (DUB) with Pittsburgh (PIT), scheduled to launch on May 25, 2026. This will be the airline’s second new long-haul service for 2026, following the rollout of flights to Raleigh-Durham (RDU). The Dublin-Pittsburgh route will be available four times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.
**Flight Schedule:**
– EI81 Dublin to Pittsburgh: Departs 4:10 PM, Arrives 7:10 PM
– EI80 Pittsburgh to Dublin: Departs 8:40 PM, Arrives 8:40 AM (+1 day)
The 3,444-mile trip will be operated by the Airbus A321LR/XLR, featuring 184 seats, which includes 16 business class and 168 economy class seats. This aircraft is part of Aer Lingus’ initiative to deploy narrow-body jets for long-haul flights, balancing efficiency with comfort.
**Competitive Landscape:**
Currently, Pittsburgh’s transatlantic options are scarce, with British Airways offering year-round flights to London Heathrow (LHR) and Icelandair providing seasonal services to Keflavik (KEF). The launch of Aer Lingus’ year-round service introduces a valuable link for the area, backed by incentives from Pittsburgh Airport for airlines initiating transatlantic routes.
Aer Lingus’ growth into secondary U.S. markets forms a part of a larger strategy, which includes locations like Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Denver, and beyond. Although part of the oneworld transatlantic joint venture, Aer Lingus adopts a distinctive strategy, frequently expanding its network independently.
**Conclusion:**
The new route from Dublin to Pittsburgh represents a noteworthy enhancement to Aer Lingus’ transatlantic services, providing Pittsburgh with its second year-round transatlantic connection. This expansion is aligned with the airline’s commitment to linking secondary U.S. cities to Dublin, improving connectivity and presenting new travel possibilities. As Aer Lingus expands its U.S. footprint, the success of this route may lead to further growth opportunities.