Aer Lingus adds new US city with flights on new Airbus A321XLR jets
Aer Lingus is launching service to a new U.S. city, helped by the arrival of its newest aircraft type.
Starting in May 2025, the Irish flag carrier will offer new nonstop flights from Indianapolis International Airport (IND) to its hub at Dublin Airport (DUB), Indianapolis airport leaders said Monday.
The route will link the Midwest city to the Emerald Isle by way of the Airbus A321XLR, a long-range, single-aisle jet that's set to join the fleets of airlines globally within the next few weeks.
Adding Dublin to Indy's route map will also give the Hoosier State its first transatlantic flight since before the coronavirus pandemic.
"Reopening a much needed and frequently requested transatlantic route to our dear friends in Ireland will once again open new opportunities for business and leisure alike," Gov. Eric Holcomb, a Republican from Indiana, said in a statement Monday.
Aer Lingus' new Indianapolis service
Aer Lingus will fly its new Indianapolis-to-Dublin route four times each week on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
Flights begin May 3, 2025.
Passengers will be able to book nonstop trips to Ireland almost the entire year; the flights will pause briefly in January and February — the winter months when air travel is typically the slowest of the year.
The new European service should prove to be a major leg up for Indianapolis.
Prior to the pandemic, Delta Air Lines linked the airport to Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG). But that service — and the airport's flights to Europe — disappeared in early 2020 and haven't returned since.
At the same time, Indianapolis otherwise has seen solid flight growth. The total number of seats on commercial flights from the airport is set to grow 6% in 2024 versus 2023, according to data from aviation analytic firm Cirium.
And, not counting Europe, seats from Indy are up more than 12% over 2019.
The airport currently has short-haul international service to Cancun International Airport (CUN) in Mexico on American Airlines and Southwest Airlines and to Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ) aboard Air Canada.
Related: Confort and convenience in the heart of the city: A review of the Conrad Dublin
Airbus A321XLR opens up new routes
The new Dublin service from Indianapolis is made possible, in part, by the aircraft that Aer Lingus will use to fly the route.
The A321XLR, which is set to join airline fleets for the first time later this fall, offers an unprecedented range for a narrow-body jet.
With lower costs to operate and fewer seats than a large wide-body, the aircraft opens up opportunities for carriers to connect smaller U.S. cities with Europe to bolster frequencies between the two continents. It also makes it possible to connect larger U.S. cities with more off-the-beaten-path destinations abroad.
Earlier this month, Aer Lingus announced a new route to Nashville with the aircraft.
Spanish carrier Iberia — part of International Airlines Group, which also owns Aer Lingus and British Airways — is expected to launch the industry's first XLR route to the U.S. from Madrid in November. It will fly from Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) to Boston Logan International Airport (BOS).
Many of these A321XLRs offer the same type of seating and onboard amenities typically found on larger wide-body aircraft. For instance, American Airlines, which has orders for dozens of XLRs, plans to install its Flagship Business suites and premium economy seats on the planes. It will begin to replace its popular four-cabin A321T jets on prime transcontinental U.S. routes.
For its part, Aer Lingus already operates some narrow-body jets to some East Coast destinations, but it appears the arrival of the longer-range A321XLR will give the carrier more opportunities to service farther-west cities that might not support one of its larger planes.
An air service analysis by regional leaders in Indianapolis found an average of 545 people travel from Indianapolis to Europe daily.
How to book Aer LIngus with points and miles
Hoping to book an Aer Lingus flight using points and miles? There are many ways you can transfer credit card points to Aer Lingus AerClub, including:
- Transfer American Express Membership Rewards points, Chase Ultimate Rewards points or Bilt Rewards Points directly to AerClub.
- Transfer Capital One miles or Citi ThankYou Rewards points to British Airways Executive Club, then transfer those Avios to AerClub (British Airways and Aer Lingus share a parent company and the Avios loyalty currency).
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