Aer Lingus has received permission from the United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority (UK CAA) to fly from the United Kingdom to the United States. By sanctioning the UK to USA flights, the Irish National flag carrier's plan to open a base at Manchester Airport (MAN) is firmly on track.Aer Lingus had initially planned to open its new Manchester base on July 29th, 2021, in the hope of taking advantage of summer traffic. However, the opening was postponed because of international borders reopening later than expected. Despite the pleading by both European and American carriers to reopen the borders, they remain closed.Stay informed: Sign up for our daily and weekly aviation news digests.

Aer Lingus hopes the US will be open soon

In a statement from the White House last month carried by USA Today, White House press secretary Jen Psaki cited the delta variant of the coronavirus as being the reason saying:

“Given where we are today … with the delta variant, we will maintain existing travel restrictions at this point for a few reasons. The more transmissible delta variant is spreading both here and around the world. Driven by the delta variant, cases are rising here at home, particularly among those who are unvaccinated and appear likely to continue in the weeks ahead.”

Because of this, Aer Lingus now plans to begin flying from Manchester to the United States from September 30th, 2021. From its new base in the north of England, Aer Lingus wants to offer direct non-stop flights to John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York and Orlando International Airport (MCO) in Florida. By flying to these two particular destinations, Aer Lingus hopes to fill a gap in the market left following the collapse of Thomas Cook Airlines on September 23rd, 2019.

Aer Lingus to fly from Manchester to Barbados

Following the two new flights from the UK to the USA in September, Aer Lingus plans to offer flights from Manchester to Bridgetown/Grantley Adams Airport (BGI) on the island of Barbados starting in October.  Aer Lingus has also penciled in flights from Manchester to Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) in Massachusetts starting sometime next summer.

Aer Lingus Manchester to New York:

  • Flight number EI45 will depart Manchester at 12:05 and arrive in New York at 15:25
  • Flight number EI44 will depart New York at 17:25 and arrive in Manchester at 05:50 (+1 day).

Aer Lingus plans to operate its MAN-JFK flight year-round using one of its new single-aisle Airbus A321LR aircraft.

Aer Lingus Manchester to Orlando:

  • Flight number EI35 will depart Manchester at 11:00 and arrive in Orlando at 15:45
  • Flight number EI34 will depart Orlando at 19:00 and arrive in Manchester at 08:35 (+1 day).

Aer Lingus will fly five times a week from MAN to MCO using an Airbus A330.

Aer Lingus Barbados
Aer Lingus flights from Manchester to Barbados will be seasonal. Photo: Aer Lingus

Aer Lingus Manchester to Barbados:

  • Flight number EI31 will depart Manchester at 10:15 and arrive in Barbados at 14:35
  • Flight number EI30 will depart Barbados at 19:40 and arrive in Manchester at 09:20 (+1 day)

The seasonal non-stop flight between Manchester and Barbados will operate three times a week using an Airbus A330 aircraft.

Aer Lingus is no stranger to Manchester

When commenting about its new routes from Manchester, Aer Lingus pointed out that they were available to be booked as connecting flights from Dublin and Cork.

Aer Lingus Airbus A321LR
Aer Lingus to offer daily Manchester to New York flights. Photo: Aer Lingus

Aer Lingus is no stranger to Manchester Airport and has had regular flights between the Emerald Isle and the United Kingdom for years. What will be particularly unique about the New York and Boston flights is that they will be on long-range single-aisle aircraft.

What do you think about Aer Lingus and its new routes from Manchester? Please tell us your thoughts in the comments.