Bridge to Europe: New Aer Lingus route to Pittsburgh takes off
Please include photography credit Photo: Dave DiCello Aer Lingus cabin crew members and sisters, Petrina Kennedy Edwards and Alma Kennedy, pictured lighting up the iconic Three Sister bridges in Pittsburgh on Friday evening (May 22nd). The Irish airline has kicked off celebrations ahead of its inaugural flight from Pittsburgh to Dublin, which will take off on Monday, May 25th 2026. This new service will operate four times per week and connects Pittsburgh with Ireland, with seamless onward connections through Dublin to destinations across Europe, including Paris, Rome, Geneva, Amsterdam and London. For the best deals and lowest prices, book now on www.aerlingus.com.
Aer Lingus is celebrating the launch of its first flight from Dublin Airport to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania today. This new service will operate four times per week and builds on the airline’s partnership with the Pittsburgh Steelers, one of the most storied football franchises in the US.
The new route brings the total number of routes Aer Lingus operates from Ireland to North America to 24, supporting its Dublin Hub strategy and providing a convenient gateway connecting North America, Ireland, the UK and wider Europe.
Customers flying from the UK to Pittsburgh can conveniently connect at Dublin from 12 UK airports including: Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Leeds Bradford, Newcastle, Southampton, Liverpool John Lennon, Isle of Man, Exeter, and London Heathrow.
By connecting in Dublin, UK customers can avail of Dublin Airport’s unique U.S. preclearance facility, which allows passengers bound for the United States to complete immigration and customs procedures before departure. Upon arrival stateside, they are treated as domestic passengers, ensuring a smooth and efficient travel experience.
Renowned as the ‘City of Bridges,’ Pittsburgh features over 446 bridges within its boundaries. To celebrate the inaugural flight, Aer Lingus lit the city’s Three Sisters Bridges on the Allegheny River in green, white and orange. Dubbed a ‘Bridge to Ireland’, with onward connections to Europe, the creative illumination added even further ambiance to Pittsburgh’s famous skyline.
Fans of hit medical drama The Pitt will be familiar with Pittsburgh’s iconic cityscape, which is best viewed Mount Washington – reached by the historic Duquesne Incline. The city also offers a rich cultural scene, with attractions including the Andy Warhol Museum, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, and the Senator John Heinz History Center. In the vibrant Strip District, visitors can also sample the city’s well-known local food.
The launch also builds on Aer Lingus’ strong ties with the city of Pittsburgh, where it serves as an Official Airline Partner of the Pittsburgh Steelers. In September 2025, the airline flew the team to Dublin for a historic, sold-out game at Croke Park. Additionally, in 2027, the Pitt Panthers will fly to Dublin to face the Wisconsin Badgers in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic, taking place in Week Zero of the College Football calendar.
The Dublin-Pittsburgh service will be operated on an Airbus A321neo LR aircraft, offering customers in the United States seamless connections via Dublin to destinations including Manchester, London, Paris, Rome, Geneva, and Amsterdam.
The airline has collaborated closely with partners in the region, including the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh International Airport and VisitPITTSBURGH, to successfully launch this new service, which will strengthen the cultural, sporting, and business connections between Ireland and Pennsylvania.
Reid Moody, Chief Strategy & Planning Officer, Aer Lingus said: “Our new service to Pittsburgh brings Aer Lingus’ North American network to 24 routes from Ireland. This route strengthens our Dublin Hub and provides seamless connections between North America, Ireland, the UK and Europe, while supporting tourism, business and cultural links between Ireland and Pennsylvania.
“Building on our partnership with the Pittsburgh Steelers, and with Pitt Panthers playing in the 2027 Aer Lingus College Football Classic, this service further builds on our ties to the region and our long-standing connection with Pittsburgh.”
Pittsburgh International Airport CEO Christina Cassotis said: “The Pittsburgh region’s connections to Ireland run deep – both in today’s strong business market and in ancestral ties. This is a route that community leaders have been seeking and the strong support we have received from the region since the flight’s announcement show its importance. We are thrilled to have a strong partner in Aer Lingus that will serve Pittsburgh’s growing market to Ireland and beyond, and we look forward to welcoming even more European travelers to Pittsburgh.”
Dan Rooney, Vice President of Business Development and Strategy for the Pittsburgh Steelers, said: “For the Steelers organization, this new route represents an important bridge between Dublin and Pittsburgh. It creates an opportunity to strengthen the relationships we have been building across Ireland through the game of American football and opens doors for stronger tourism and business partnerships that will benefit both markets. The Pittsburgh Steelers are proud to be a part of this effort and are grateful to Aer Lingus, an Official Airline of the Pittsburgh Steelers, for recognizing the growing connection between Ireland and Pittsburgh and helping to make it even stronger.”
