The trade has hailed the success of Aer Lingus’ direct transatlantic flights from Manchester, which are marking their one-year anniversary.
On October 20,2021, the carrier began its first direct transatlantic services from the northern England hub, marked by the departure of a non-stop flight to Barbados.
The airline launched two more long-haul routes in quick succession: JFK New York on December 1 and Orlando on December 11.
To celebrate the occasion, Aer Lingus is offering special deals with one-way fares from £169 to New York, and from £189 to Orlando and Barbados. The prices are quoted are each way including all taxes and charges when booked as part of a return journey.
The offer is available until October 24 for travel between November 10 and March 31.
Susanne Carberry, Aer Lingus’ chief customer officer, said: “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.
David McLaren, chief operating officer at USAirtours, said: “In the most difficult and turbulent of times, Aer Lingus came to the market to fill a hole left by such a huge reduction in Manchester’s long-haul flying capacity.
“We quickly formed a trade partnership that allowed our sales from Manchester to the US and Caribbean to grow from strength to strength even given the circumstances.
“We are very impressed with the booking flow, sales support and account management – all we could ask of any airline.”
Mark Mitchell, dnata’s director of air supply, added: “The launch of these long-haul routes from Manchester has been very welcomed by our dnata brands, our trade partners and customers. It has added much needed and valuable air capacity across the Atlantic to key destinations from the north of England.”
Jonathon Woodall-Johnston, Hays Travel Chief Operating Officer, said: “Hays Travel customers in the north of England have loved the ease of flying direct to New York and Orlando from Manchester and we’re looking forward to many more jetting off from the northwest with Aer Lingus in the year ahead.’’
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.