Aer Lingus Launches New Washington D.C. -- Dublin Route

NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwired - Nov 5, 2014) -

• Expands capacity on transatlantic routes from San Francisco, New York and Orlando to Dublin and from Boston to Shannon
• Combination of new cities, improved frequencies and expanded connectivity supports a 12% increase in available transatlantic seats
  
  

Aer Lingus has announced details of its preliminary Summer 2015 schedule including the introduction of its ninth direct transatlantic service, with a new four times weekly summer service from Washington-Dulles to Dublin from May 1, 2015.

In a further boost to its growing long haul business, the airline is also increasing capacity on other Aer Lingus transatlantic routes for summer 2015, including:

• a daily flight from San Francisco to Dublin, up from five weekly currently
  
  
• the introduction of a third daily flight from New York to Dublin from June through August. The service's 12 noon departure from New York represents the area's earliest departure available
  
  
• an increase in frequency on the Orlando to Dublin route from three to four flights per week, from May 1, 2015
  
  
• a 20% increase in capacity on the Boston/Shannon route for twelve weeks in the peak summer period, June through August
  
  

Increased frequency

Overall long haul capacity will increase by 18.4% per week in the peak summer season.

Speaking at the launch of the new summer schedule, Stephen Kavanagh, Chief Strategy and Planning Officer, Aer Lingus, said: "I'm pleased to announce that Aer Lingus will offer an expanded choice of destinations and value to the travelling public next summer. We will continue to grow our transatlantic business with the introduction of direct service from Washington. The success of our customer proposition and the development of Dublin as a gateway between Europe and North America will see us operate 24 daily departures across the Atlantic next summer. This combined with our extensive European network continues to deliver upon our commitment to connect Ireland to the World."

Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority President and CEO Jack Potter said: "The addition of Aer Lingus service between Dublin and Washington Dulles International Airport offers travelers exciting new options and opportunities to see the world. Dulles International is the National Capital Region's gateway to the world. We welcome Aer Lingus to the Dulles family and we look forward to working together to provide world-class experiences for our customers."

Notes to Editor:

Aer Lingus Summer Schedule 2015 - Expansion Details

New Routes
Dublin-Washington-Dulles		4 per week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday). Flights will depart Washington at 17.20, arriving in Dublin at 05.30, with the return flight departing from Dublin at 12.45 and arriving in Washington at 15.35		Providing connections between Washington, D.C. and 17 destinations in Europe, as well as connections from 34 U.S. cities.
Increased Frequency
New York JFK-Dublin		30% increase in capacity		New daily midday from New York to Dublin arriving at 23:40 with early morning flight from Dublin to New York at 07:50 (first transatlantic flight from Dublin)
San Francisco-Dublin		39% increase in capacity		From 5 per week to daily with additional flights on Tuesday and Thursday
Orlando-Dublin		15% increase in capacity		From 3 to 4 per week with additional flight on Wednesday

New Business Class

Aer Lingus recently announced details of its new business class experience which will launch on transatlantic flights from March 2015. The service will provide a unique differentiator for Aer Lingus and will ensure that customers experience the best of smart travel with high levels of comfort and sophistication. 

The Business Class service, available on direct flights from San Francisco, New York, Boston, Chicago and Orlando to Dublin, will provide a unique space based on a customer's needs -- depending on whether they wish to sleep, work, dine or simply relax. This will be facilitated by the new custom designed Vantage seat which converts into a full-lie-flat 6'6" (2 metres) bed. In addition a new business lounge will open in spring 2015 at John F. Kennedy airport and a new Pre-dine service available at John F. Kennedy and Boston airports. A new Arrivals lounge at Dublin airport will ensure customers are refreshed and ready for their day. Aer Lingus has selected top class Irish suppliers to provide the best of modern Ireland.