Aer Lingus To Launch New Flights Between Dublin and Raleigh-Durham in 2026

Updated: September 17, 2025, 7:20am CDT

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Fly Nonstop From Raleigh-Durham to Dublin
Final Thoughts

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Aer Lingus is adding another U.S. gateway to its network, announcing a new service connecting Dublin (DUB) with Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) beginning April 13, 2026. The new flights continue the carrier’s strategy of linking Ireland with major hubs and emerging secondary cities across the U.S.

Here are the details of Aer Lingus’ new route from Raleigh-Durham.

Fly Nonstop From Raleigh-Durham to Dublin

Aer Lingus’ arrival in Raleigh-Durham (RDU) marks a major boost for the airport’s international network, giving local travelers a new nonstop option to Europe and easy onward connections across the continent through Dublin.

Aer Lingus A330 300 JFK Taxiing — Image Credit: Alberto Riva

The new service will run 5x a week — on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays — giving travelers plenty of flexibility for both business and leisure trips.

Here’s the schedule:

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Flight Number	Departure	Arrival
EI85	3:25 p.m. from Dublin	6:55 p.m. in Raleigh-Durham
EI84	8:25 p.m. from Raleigh-Durham	8:45 a.m. in Dublin (+1 day)

Aer Lingus will use its brand-new Airbus A321XLR, a long-range narrowbody designed exactly for routes like this — routes where demand doesn’t quite call for a widebody but range and comfort are still essential. The aircraft seats 184 passengers, with 16 lie-flat business class seats and 168 in economy.

For Raleigh-Durham, this is another big step in its growing international network. The airport already has nonstop flights to London, Paris, Frankfurt, and Reykjavik, and now Dublin joins the list. Aer Lingus will also be the first Irish airline to serve the Research Triangle and the second Oneworld partner offering long-haul flights from RDU.

Hot Tip:

Aer Lingus is part of the Avios ecosystem, so you can redeem points through its own AerClub program or programs like British Airways Club or Club Iberia Plus. You can even transfer Avios between accounts to maximize your balance. In addition, Aer Lingus flights can be booked with Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards points, giving you another valuable way to use rewards for this new route.

Final Thoughts

Aer Lingus’ move into Raleigh-Durham is a big win for local travelers and a clear sign of the airport’s rising profile as a transatlantic hub. The new service not only makes it easier to reach Ireland but also opens up seamless connections across Europe — all with the added perk of clearing U.S. customs in Dublin before you land.

The Research Triangle in North Carolina is a valuable link for numerous reasons. For Aer Lingus, heading here is a smart way to grow its footprint in the southeastern U.S.