Aer Lingus has launched its new commercial flight from Dublin to Raleigh-Durham International Airport in North Carolina, directly connecting the Tar Heel State and Ireland.
The new service is perfect for fans from the University of North Carolina travelling to the 2026 Aer Lingus College Football Classic in the Aviva Stadium, Dublin, this summer following its success in 2025 attracting almost 23,000 visitors.
UNC will take on Texas Christian University (TCU) in the opening weekend of the NCAA college football season in what will be the international debut for both teams.
The new route to the Raleigh-Durham also brings increased connectivity to North Carolina’s Research Triangle, as well as making it a hub for innovation, research and higher education with the region being home to top universities including North Carolina State University, Duke University, and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
This service began on April 13, 2026, and will operate up to five times weekly on Aer Lingus’ new Airbus A321XLR aircraft.
Lynne Embleton, Chief Executive Officer, Aer Lingus, said: “Our new route creates a direct connection between Ireland and the Raleigh-Durham region for the first time, making it even easier for customers to travel to Dublin and onwards to destinations across the UK and Europe.
“The Raleigh-Durham region is a hub for technology, innovation and research, and this additional connectivity to that region will allow the business and educational ties on both sides of the Atlantic to flourish.
“Launching ahead of the 2026 Aer Lingus College Football Classic makes this service especially timely, and we’re really looking forward to welcoming UNC fans to Ireland this August as the Tar Heels take to the field at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.”
The new service connects the Raleigh-Durham region with more than 20 destinations across the UK and Europe, including Glasgow, Paris, Rome, Amsterdam, London and Madrid.
