Bridge to Ireland: New Aer Lingus route from Dublin to Pittsburgh departs | News
Aer Lingus today celebrates the launch of its first flight from Dublin Airport to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This new service will operate four times a week and builds on the airline’s partnership with the Pittsburgh Steelers, one of the most storied football franchises in the US.
Known as the “City of Bridges,” Pittsburgh boasts more than 446 bridges within its borders. To celebrate the inaugural flight, Aer Lingus lit up the city’s Three Sisters Bridges on the Allegheny River in green, white and orange. Dubbed a “Bridge to Ireland,” the creative lighting added even more atmosphere to Pittsburgh’s famous skyline.
Fans of the hit medical drama The Pitt will be familiar with Pittsburgh’s iconic cityscape, best viewed on Mount Washington, reached via the historic Duquesne Incline. The city also offers a rich cultural scene, with attractions such as the Andy Warhol Museum, the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, and the Senator John Heinz History Center. In the vibrant Strip District, visitors can also enjoy the city’s signature local dishes.
The new Pittsburgh service, operated on an Airbus A321neo LR, provides seamless connections from Western Pennsylvania to cities including Paris, Rome, Geneva, Amsterdam, Manchester and London Heathrow. The route increases Aer Lingus’ North American network to 24 routes from Ireland, supporting the Dublin Hub strategy and strengthening connectivity between North America, Ireland, the UK and Europe.
The launch also builds on Aer Lingus’ strong ties with the city of Pittsburgh, where the company serves as the official airline partner of the Pittsburgh Steelers. In September 2025, the airline flew the team to Dublin for a historic, sell-out match in Croke Park. Additionally, the Pitt Panthers will fly to Dublin in 2027 to take on the Wisconsin Badgers in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic, which takes place in week zero of the College Football calendar.
The airline has worked 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 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, providing 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 Aer Lingus College Football Classic in 2027, this service builds on our ties to the region and our longstanding connection to Pittsburgh.”
Christina Cassotis, CEO of Pittsburgh International Airport, said: “The Pittsburgh region’s connections to Ireland run deep – both in today’s strong business market and in its age-old ties. This is a route that community leaders have been seeking and the strong support we have received from the region since the flight announcement demonstrates its importance. We are pleased to have a strong partner in Aer Lingus who will serve the growing market from Pittsburgh 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 built 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 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.”
For more information, visit aerlingus.com
