Aer Lingus

Aer Lingus, founded in 1936 and headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, is the flag carrier of Ireland and a subsidiary of International Airlines Group. The airline operates its hub at Dublin Airport with a secondary base at Shannon Airport and services from Cork Airport. Aer Lingus's fleet includes Airbus A330-300 for transatlantic routes and Airbus A320 family aircraft for European services. The airline's cabin products include Business Class on transatlantic routes with lie-flat seats and direct aisle access, and a single economy cabin on European routes with optional extras. Aer Lingus uses Avios as its loyalty currency, shared across the IAG group including British Airways, Iberia, and Vueling. The airline occupies a unique competitive position as a value-oriented transatlantic carrier, offering competitive fares with included amenities on routes between Ireland and North America. Dublin Airport features US Customs and Border Protection preclearance facilities, allowing Aer Lingus passengers to arrive in the United States as domestic passengers, bypassing immigration queues on arrival. The airline operates a growing network of direct transatlantic routes from Dublin to major US cities including New York-JFK, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Washington, as well as connecting services via Dublin for passengers originating elsewhere in Europe. Aer Lingus also operates AerClub, its consumer-facing loyalty brand. The carrier was acquired by IAG in 2015, gaining access to the group's resources while maintaining its distinct Irish brand identity and independent operational structure. The airline has invested in cabin refurbishment and fleet renewal to strengthen its transatlantic offering.