Aer Lingus embarks on transatlantic expansion

Aer Lingus launched its inaugural B757 service from Shannon, Ireland, to Boston.

The departure of the flight Thursday marks the commencement of a major transatlantic expansion in 2014 that includes new routes from Dublin to San Francisco and Toronto, as well as frequency increases on services from Shannon to Boston and New York.

“This is a welcome addition to our freight capacity between Ireland and Boston,” Peter O’Neill, director of cargo at Aer Lingus, said. “The Boeing 757 aircraft is ideal for smaller items of freight, or courier consignments, and with daily frequency from Shannon it means these goods can be more speedily delivered to Boston.”

Flights between Shannon and Boston will operate daily while flights to New York from Shannon will operate six times a week, starting March 30.

This is the first of two B757 aircraft that will be based at Shannon, replacing a single A330. This will result in increased frequency from seven transatlantic flights per week to 13 flights per week from Shannon.

There will also be increased connectivity to North America via New York and Boston with partner airline, Jetblue Airways, and the return of year-round transatlantic operations for Aer Lingus at Shannon.