Aer Lingus
Ireland’s scheduled flag carrier, linking its Dublin hub with destinations across Europe and North America and offering convenient connections between the two regions.
About Aer Lingus
Aer Lingus is Ireland’s flag carrier and began operations in 1936 with a flight between Dublin and Bristol. Its name is derived from the Irish term for an air fleet, while the shamrock has long defined its visual identity. The airline is owned by International Airlines Group, the parent company of British Airways, Iberia and several other European carriers, but continues to operate under its established Irish brand.
Dublin Airport is Aer Lingus’s primary hub and its largest departure point, followed by Cork, London, Belfast and Shannon. The airline operates 218 routes serving exactly 72 destinations across 25 countries. Its network covers Ireland, Britain, continental Europe and North America, combining important business links with popular leisure services to cities such as Alicante, Barcelona and Faro.
Aer Lingus has operated Airbus A319, A320, A321, A330 and A330-200 aircraft, alongside ATR 42 and ATR 72 turboprops used for regional flying. Airbus narrow-body aircraft primarily serve European routes, while A321 and A330 family aircraft support longer services. Economy Class is available across the network, with Business Class offered on transatlantic flights and fare-dependent seating and service options on shorter routes.
Aer Lingus is not a member of Star Alliance, SkyTeam or Oneworld, although its International Airlines Group ownership and commercial partnerships connect it closely with several Oneworld carriers. The airline’s loyalty programme is AerClub. Members can collect Avios and Tier Credits on eligible travel, redeem Avios with Aer Lingus and participating partners, and receive benefits based on their membership tier and booked fare.
A major strength is the breadth of Aer Lingus’s links between Ireland, Britain, continental Europe and North America. Dublin also offers United States immigration and customs preclearance for eligible US-bound passengers. A practical challenge is that fare inclusions vary considerably: checked baggage, seat selection, flexibility and airport services may cost extra on lower fares, while regional turboprop flights provide less cabin and overhead-bin space than mainline Airbus services.
Good to know
Flying with Aer Lingus — what to expect
Compare Fare Types
Aer Lingus fare families include different baggage, seat-selection and flexibility benefits. Check the full inclusions before booking because the lowest fare may not include a checked bag or advance seat choice.
Dublin US Preclearance
Eligible passengers flying from Dublin to the United States complete US immigration and customs formalities before departure. Arrive with enough time for these additional checks before boarding.
Regional Aircraft Space
Regional flights may use ATR turboprops with smaller overhead bins than mainline Airbus aircraft. Cabin bags that fit on larger jets may need to be placed in the hold.
Long Haul Cabins
Transatlantic flights offer Economy and Business Class, while most European services have a simpler short-haul cabin. The aircraft and onboard offering can vary by route and operating carrier.
AerClub Rewards
AerClub members can earn Avios and Tier Credits on eligible flights. Earning rates and benefits depend on the fare, route, membership tier and operating airline.
Allow Connection Time
Dublin is Aer Lingus’s main connecting hub, but US-bound connections require time for preclearance. Passengers using separate tickets should allow a larger buffer because missed connections may not be protected.
Network overview
Where Aer Lingus flies
Aer Lingus operates 218 routes to 72 destinations across 25 countries, its longest sector reaching Dublin to Orlando (6,543 km nonstop).
Destinations served
Cities Aer Lingus flies to, most-served first.
Main hubs
Busiest departure bases, by route count.
Fleet
Aircraft types on record for these routes.
Longest nonstop route
Dublin → Orlando
6,543 km · DUB → MCO
The longest sector in the Aer Lingus network, measured as the great-circle distance between the two airports.
Route data · TravelPayouts route data · updated 2026-07
Route network
Popular routes operated by Aer Lingus
Notable destinations on Aer Lingus's network.
EIDublindirectEICorkdirectEILondondirectEIBelfastdirectEIShannondirectEIBirminghamdirectEIEdinburghdirectEIManchesterdirectEIAlicantedirectEIArrecifedirectEIBarcelonadirectEIFarodirectDestination list is indicative of Aer Lingus's network; see the airline's official route map for its complete, current schedule.
More from Ireland
Other airlines based in Ireland
FAQ
Aer Lingus — frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the details travellers usually check first, from codes and locations to the practical basics that help with planning.
8 common questions
- The busiest Aer Lingus departure hubs, ranked by number of routes, are Dublin, Cork, London, Belfast and Shannon. Dublin is the airline’s principal hub and main connecting point.
- Aer Lingus fares are often lower outside summer, Christmas, Easter and school-holiday peaks. Comparing midweek departures, nearby dates and different fare types can reveal lower prices, although availability varies by route and demand.
- Aer Lingus’s primary hub is Dublin Airport, which has the largest number of its departing routes. Cork, London, Belfast and Shannon are its next busiest departure points.
- Originfacts compares live fares from hundreds of airlines and travel agencies via its partner Travelpayouts. Originfacts never adds a fee.
- Carry-on eligibility depends on the route, fare and operating carrier, and some fares require the larger cabin bag to be checked. Travellers should verify the current size, weight and personal-item limits on the Aer Lingus website before departure.
- Aer Lingus’s longest route is Dublin to Orlando, covering about 6,543 km nonstop. Schedules can vary by season, so travellers should check operating dates before booking.
- Aer Lingus flies across Ireland, Britain, continental Europe and North America. Destinations include Dublin, Cork, London, Belfast, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Manchester, Alicante, Arrecife, Barcelona and Faro.
- Aer Lingus serves exactly 72 destinations across 25 countries. It operates 218 routes across this network.