In a strategic move to increase its visibility among US travelers, Aer Lingus has announced a partnership with the Pittsburgh Steelers. This agreement designates Aer Lingus as the official airline of the NFL team, coinciding with an upcoming game in Ireland. The partnership aims to boost Aer Lingus’s direct service from Pittsburgh International Airport to Dublin Airport.
This development is part of Aer Lingus’s broader transatlantic expansion, which includes 24 routes from locations like Dublin, Shannon, and Manchester. The airline serves several North American cities such as New York, Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia, and Miami using Airbus aircraft.
The partnership with the Steelers will last four years. A significant catalyst for this collaboration is a scheduled game in Ireland later this year. Aer Lingus seeks to attract increased travel demand between western Pennsylvania and Ireland around this event.
Aer Lingus will serve as the presenting partner for Steelers Ireland 2025. The sponsored game will take place at Croke Park in Dublin. As a founding partner of Steelers Ireland and its Official Airline Partner, Aer Lingus aims to strengthen its association with the team.
Additionally, Aer Lingus plans to co-present the Steelers’ Ireland Youth Football Development Program to promote American football locally. This involvement aligns with the historical Irish roots of Art Rooney, founder of the Steelers.
Susanne Carberry, Chief Customer Officer of Aer Lingus, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership: “The Pittsburgh Steelers are a cornerstone of American football, and Aer Lingus is proud to commence an exciting new partnership that bridges both sides of the Atlantic.”
The sponsorship aligns with Aer Lingus’s ongoing efforts to expand its North American network. Recent expansions include new seasonal services to Denver and Minneapolis/St. Paul and planned routes to Indianapolis and Nashville using their A321XLR aircraft.
While major sports partnerships may not be frequent for Aer Lingus, this initiative reflects its commitment to establishing a strong presence in the United States market by leveraging connections through its Dublin hub.
