Airlines continue to expand global connectivity with new long-haul routes launching in 2025.

Aer Lingus, Air Canada, and Etihad Airways have announced new transatlantic and transpacific flights, enhancing travel options across North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.

These expansions align with aviation and tourism strategies supported by government bodies such as the U.S. Department of Transportation, Transport Canada, and the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority.

Dublin-Nashville: Aer Lingus’ First Direct Ireland-Tennessee Route

Aer Lingus is set to introduce the first-ever direct service between Dublin and Nashville, commencing April 12, 2025.

The route will operate four times weekly using the Airbus A321XLR, a fuel-efficient aircraft designed for long-haul, secondary market operations.

The airline will also launch a Dublin-Indianapolis route in May 2025.

Nashville, known for its thriving music and cultural scene, has a metro population of 2.4 million and an economy driven by healthcare, technology, and education.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, approximately 26,000 two-way passengers travelled between Dublin and Nashville in 2024, making it the fifth-largest unserved U.S. route from Ireland.

For Nashville International Airport, Dublin will be the third European destination served, alongside British Airways’ London Heathrow flights and Icelandair’s Reykjavik service.

Aer Lingus will leverage Dublin’s U.S. Pre-Clearance facility to attract European travellers seeking seamless entry into the U.S.

Vancouver-Manila: Air Canada Enters the Filipino Market

Air Canada will launch its first-ever flights to Manila from Vancouver International Airport (YVR) on April 2, 2025.

This marks a strategic expansion into a high-demand market, given Canada’s large Filipino diaspora of over 900,000 residents, as reported by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (canada.ca/ircc).

The Boeing 787-9 service will operate three times weekly before increasing to four flights per week in May. The Vancouver-Manila market saw approximately 149,000 two-way passengers in 2024, according to Transport Canada data.

The route will introduce competition with Philippine Airlines, which currently operates daily flights between Vancouver and Manila using Boeing 777-300ER aircraft.

By entering this market, Air Canada strengthens its transpacific network, which includes Auckland, Bangkok, Beijing, and Singapore.

Abu Dhabi-Atlanta: Etihad’s U.S. Expansion

Etihad Airways will commence flights between Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport (AUH) and Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL) starting July 2, 2025.

The four-weekly service will be operated on Airbus A350-1000 aircraft, enhancing connectivity between the Middle East and the southeastern U.S.

Atlanta, home to the world’s busiest airport, will be Etihad’s fifth U.S. destination, joining New York, Washington, Chicago, and Los Angeles. The airline is expected to rely on connecting passengers from South Asia due to limited direct demand between Atlanta and Abu Dhabi.

The route will compete with Qatar Airways’ existing daily Doha-Atlanta service, which operates with the same aircraft type. At 7,604 miles, Abu Dhabi-Atlanta will be the third-longest route from ATL, following Delta’s Johannesburg and Cape Town services.

These airline expansions reflect a strong global travel rebound, aligning with international aviation strategies to boost connectivity, tourism, and business travel.

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