Over the last 12 months Aer Lingus has flown across the Atlantic
1,340 times to/from Manchester

To celebrate its anniversary Aer Lingus has incredible winter deals on offer to Manchester’s three direct transatlantic destinations, from £169 to New York, and from £189 to Orlando and Barbados*

20 October 2022: Today marks a major milestone for Aer Lingus as it celebrates the first anniversary of transatlantic flights flown directly from Manchester. 

One year ago today, Aer Lingus began its very first direct transatlantic services from the city, marked by the departure of flight EI31 travelling non-stop from Manchester to Barbados.

The airline launched two further long-haul routes in quick succession from its Northern England hub; JFK, New York on 1 December and Orlando on 11 December, completing the trio of new direct non-stop destinations.

Since the launch of services to the US and Caribbean, the airline has operated 670 roundtrips across the Atlantic from its Manchester base.

Passengers travelling in the airline’s comfortable economy class have enjoyed more than 150,000 cups of tea and coffee; cabin crew members have served up more than 350,000 meals; and passengers have tuned into over 750,000 hours of movies, TV programmes, music and entertainment on Aer Lingus’ inflight entertainment systems while flying across the Atlantic.

Susanne Carberry, Aer Lingus Chief Customer Officer, said: “As direct transatlantic services from Manchester enter their second year, we are really pleased with the performance of the services. Our confidence in the future will enable us to consolidate our position offering high-quality service, direct, non-stop business and leisure travel options at competitive prices for travellers and holidaymakers to North America and the Caribbean from the North of England.

“We are extremely proud of the whole Aer Lingus UK team who have worked so hard to make our services from Manchester such a success and thank all our UK customers from the North of England for choosing to fly with Aer Lingus.”

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester added: “The opening of the Aer Lingus new routes back in October last year, after all the upheaval and uncertainty brought by the pandemic, came as a vote of confidence in Greater Manchester’s ability to bounce back and lead a strong economic recovery.

“One year on, this connectivity continues to be a major asset for businesses here in our city-region and across the whole of the North, providing new opportunities for trade and tourism across the Atlantic.” 

Clive Memmott OBE, Chief Executive of Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, said: “I’d like to congratulate Aer Lingus on this first anniversary of direct transatlantic flights from Manchester. After a difficult period for the airline industry as it coped with the impact of lockdowns and covid restrictions, it’s great to see that these new routes are thriving.

“Having these direct flights to North America and the Caribbean adds to Manchester Airport’s already extensive list of international routes and means our region continues to be better connected than anywhere outside of London. I wish Aer Lingus every success in the future as it builds on the achievements of this first year.’’

Chris Woodroofe, Manchester Airport’s Managing Director, said: “It is great to mark Aer Lingus’ first transatlantic anniversary here at Manchester Airport, with all three of the airline’s routes a success, going from strength to strength in the last 12 months.

“The services across the Atlantic to Barbados and the USA have been welcomed by the millions of people that live in our catchment area that fly to these destinations each year.

“Not only do they provide additional connectivity to some of our most popular destinations, by choosing Manchester as its first UK long-haul base, they have also created hundreds of jobs for the region.

“I look forward to working closely with Aer Lingus as they celebrate many more anniversaries in the years to come.”

The success of Aer Lingus’ Manchester based operations has contributed towards its ambitious network expansion, offering yet more choice of routes and destinations.

Aer Lingus’ flights from Manchester to Barbados operate seasonally between November and March three times weekly. Services from Manchester to New York operate daily, while Manchester to Orlando services depart all year round, five times weekly.

To celebrate its anniversary Aer Lingus has incredible winter deals on offer to Manchester’s three direct transatlantic destinations, from £169 to New York, and from £189 to Orlando and Barbados.*

To book visit aerlingus.com

Ends

Notes to editor

* Prices quoted are each way including all taxes and charges when booked as part of a return journey.

About Aer Lingus UK

Established in 2021, Aer Lingus (U.K.) Limited is a subsidiary of Aer Lingus Limited the national airline of Ireland which was founded in 1936.

Aer Lingus operates over 100 routes, flying to over 71 direct routes and to 62 destinations, Aer Lingus operates 19 transatlantic routes from Dublin and Manchester UK to North America and the Caribbean, including direct non-stop services from Manchester to Barbados, New York JFK and Orlando.

Aer Lingus is a 4-star airline, awarded by Skytrax, the international air transport rating organisation. Aer Lingus is a member of International Airlines Group (IAG), one of the World’s largest airlines groups. As part of IAG, Aer Lingus has pledged to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050 and has committed to powering 10% of its flights using sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) by 2030. For more visit www.aerlingus.com