Aer Lingus, Air Canada and Etihad expand new global routes in 2025

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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