By Editor-in-chief Kirsty Johnston
Travel to the United States and Canada has long been a favoured choice for travellers from Northern Ireland, and recent statistics continue to reflect the popularity of these destinations.
In 2024, the United States held its position as one of the most popular long-haul destinations for travellers from Ireland and Northern Ireland, with the North American market continuing to grow in importance.
The expansion of these direct routes is a testament to the growing demand for travel to the US from Northern Ireland. As airlines continue to invest in new routes and enhance existing services, Dublin Airport is set to solidify its status as a key gateway for transatlantic travel in the region. With direct access to some of America’s most vibrant cities, Northern Irish travellers are increasingly taking advantage of these opportunities to explore business, leisure, and cultural experiences across the Atlantic.
Dublin Airport continues to be one of the most important hubs for transatlantic flights, offering a broad range of direct routes to the United States and Canada.
These connections serve as vital links for both leisure and business travellers, with Dublin’s proximity to Northern Ireland and the wider region making it an attractive departure point. As of 2025, Dublin Airport provides direct services to multiple cities across North America with significant traffic to both the United States and Canada.
Dublin Airport offers an extensive array of direct flights to major U.S. cities, catering to the increasing demand for travel between Ireland and North America. Some of the prominent American destinations with direct connections include: New York City (JFK and Newark), Chicago, Boston, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Washington D.C.
In 2025, Dublin Airport has also introduced new routes to destinations like Nashville and Indianapolis, catering to emerging markets and providing Irish and Northern Irish travellers with even more options. Aer Lingus launched direct flights to Nashville in April 2025 and plans to begin Indianapolis flights in May 2025.
The Nashville route commenced on April 12, 2025, with four weekly flights on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. The Indianapolis route began on May 3, 2025, also with four weekly flights on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.
Additionally, United Airlines expanded its operations by doubling the number of daily flights between Dublin and Washington D.C., increasing from one to two daily services starting March 29, 2025. The airline also upgraded its Dublin to Chicago O’Hare route by introducing the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, replacing the previous Boeing 757-200.
These developments underscore Dublin Airport’s growing role as a key hub for transatlantic travel, offering passengers more options and enhanced connectivity to various US destinations.
In 2024, Dublin Airport experienced significant passenger traffic, with a total of 33.3 million passengers passing through its terminals, marking a 4% increase from 2023. The Central Statistics Office (CSO) reports that, in the third quarter of 2024, the United States was the most popular destination outside of Europe for passengers traveling through Irish airports. This suggests that a significant portion of Dublin Airport’s traffic was USA-bound.
While precise numbers for USA-bound passengers in 2025 aren’t available, the trends from 2024 and ongoing discussions about airport capacity suggest a positive trajectory for transatlantic travel through Dublin Airport.
Despite capacity constraints due to a 32 million passenger cap, Dublin Airport’s operator, daa, projected handling up to 35 million passengers in 2025. This projection suggests an optimistic outlook for passenger traffic, including those traveling to the USA.
The growing appeal of these direct routes has been fuelled by a steady increase in passenger numbers from Northern Ireland. According to a recent survey conducted by Tourism Ireland, there was a 12% increase in the number of Northern Irish travellers visiting the US in the past year. This surge is partly due to the ease of access provided by Dublin Airport, which is conveniently located just a short drive from the Northern Ireland border, and offers an attractive alternative to flying from Belfast.
Furthermore, Dublin Airport is one of only a few airports outside North America that offers a US Pre-clearance facility. The benefit is that having cleared USCBP, passengers arriving in the US are treated as domestic arrivals, allowing them to avoid immigration queues upon arrival and pick up their bags and go.
Direct Canadian Routes from Dublin Airport
In addition to U.S. routes, Dublin Airport also serves as a gateway to several Canadian cities, reflecting the growing importance of transatlantic travel to North America’s northern neighbour. Some of the key destinations include:
1. Toronto: Toronto Pearson International Airport remains one of the most popular Canadian routes, served by Air Canada, Aer Lingus, and others. The connection to this cosmopolitan city with a significant Irish diaspora continues to grow in importance.
2. Vancouver: Air Canada operates seasonal flights to Vancouver, making this route particularly appealing for travellers seeking access to the Canadian West Coast’s natural beauty and thriving tech industry.
3. Montreal: Direct flights to Montreal, operated by Air Canada, are a significant draw for those with cultural, academic, and professional ties to the region.
Dublin Airport’s growing roster of direct routes to the U.S. and Canada reflects the increasing demand for transatlantic travel from Ireland, particularly Northern Ireland. With significant cultural, familial, professional, and economic ties between these regions, the demand for flights to major U.S. and Canadian cities is expected to remain strong for the foreseeable future. As Dublin Airport continues to expand its international connections, travellers from Northern Ireland will have even more options to explore the vast opportunities that await across the Atlantic.
NB: Irish travellers can also access these areas in Canada via multiple airlines/ times of the year-
Toronto: Air Canada and Aer Lingus fly year round, with Air Transat and Westjet providing summer flights
Halifax: Westjet fly to this destination during the summer
St John’s : Westjet fly to this destination during the summer
Montreal: Air Canada fly to this destination during the summer
Calgary: Westjet fly to this destination during the summer
Vancouver : Air Canada fly to this destination during the summer
