Aer Lingus is celebrating the launch of its first flight from Dublin Airport to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on Monday. This new service will operate four times per week and builds on the airline’s partnership with the Pittsburgh Steelers, one of the most storied football franchises in the US. Renowned as the ‘City of Bridges,’ Pittsburgh features over 446 bridges within its boundaries. To celebrate the inaugural flight, Aer Lingus lit the city’s Three Sisters Bridges on the Allegheny River in green, white and orange. Dubbed a ‘Bridge to Ireland’, the creative illumination added even further ambience to Pittsburgh’s famous skyline. Fans of hit medical drama The Pitt will be familiar with Pittsburgh’s iconic cityscape, which is best viewed from Mount Washington – reached by the historic Duquesne Incline. The city also offers a rich cultural scene, with attractions including the Andy Warhol Museum, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, and the Senator John Heinz History Centre. In the vibrant Strip District, visitors can also sample the city’s well-known local food.
Operated on an Airbus A321neo LR, the new Pittsburgh service offers seamless connections from Western Pennsylvania to cities including Paris, Rome, Geneva, Amsterdam, Manchester and London Heathrow. The service is scheduled to depart at 15.40 with an 18.40 arrival in Pittsburgh (local time). The return service departs at 20.10 with an 08.10 arrival in Dublin the following morning. The route increases Aer Lingus’ North American network to 24 routes from Ireland, supporting its 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 it serves as an Official Airline Partner of the Pittsburgh Steelers. In September 2025, the airline flew the team to Dublin for a historic, sold-out game at Croke Park. Additionally, in 2027, the Pitt Panthers will fly to Dublin to face the Wisconsin Badgers in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic, taking place in Week Zero of the College Football calendar.
Commenting on the new route, the Chief Strategy & Planning Officer, Aer Lingus, Reid Moody, said: “Our new service to Pittsburgh brings Aer Lingus’ North American network to 24 routes from Ireland. This route strengthens our Dublin Hub and provides 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 2027 Aer Lingus College Football Classic, this service further builds on our ties to the region and our long-standing connection with Pittsburgh.”
Also commenting was the Pittsburgh International Airport CEO, Christina Cassotis, who said: “The Pittsburgh region’s connections to Ireland run deep – both in today’s strong business market and in ancestral ties. This is a route that community leaders have been seeking, and the strong support we have received from the region since the flight’s announcement shows its importance. We are thrilled to have a strong partner in Aer Lingus that will serve Pittsburgh’s growing market to Ireland and beyond, and we look forward to welcoming even more European travellers to Pittsburgh.”
