Aer Lingus launches new direct UK-US flights with fares from £199 each way

Aer Lingus is launching four new long-haul routes from summer 2021, offering direct flights from the UK to destinations in the USA and Caribbean.

The airline will offer direct routes from Manchester to the US for the first time, with flights to New York and Orlando kicking off from July 29, and flights to Boston set to launch in summer 2022.

There will also be a new direct route from Manchester to Barbados which kicks off from October 20, 2021.

You can already book the flights on aerlingus.com with fares currently going from £199 each way (based on a return ticket). The airline is also offering free, unlimited changes on all flights up to two hours before departure with its 'Book with Confidence' offer.

Of course it's worth noting that currently there is a ban on travelling abroad for holidays in the UK as part of national lockdowns, with new laws coming into force that could see rule-breakers face fines of £5,000.

New York is one of the new destinations on offer from Manchester (Stone Sub)

However, it's hoped that foreign travel could resume from England on May 17 at the earliest as part of the country's lockdown roadmap. This will be subject to a review from the government's Global Travel Taskforce which is expected to give an update in April.

But it's not just the UK restrictions that will be a determining factor for Brits hoping to head to the US for a getaway. Currently, the USA has closed its borders to anyone who has been in the UK within 14 days of travel - you can find out more in the Foreign Office's US travel advice.

Still, it's not yet known what the travel landscape could look like when Aer Lingus launches its new routes from July.

Mickey and Minnie Mouse stand outside the Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom (Matt Stroshane, photographer)

For aviation fans, it's worth noting that the airline will be operating its New York and Boston flights onboard its Airbus A321LR single-aisle planes - the first airline to use this plane for regular transatlantic services. (The Orlando and Barbados flights will be operated on A330-300 aircraft).

Although the direct US flights are new for the airline from Manchester, it has previously operated transatlantic routes including flights from London.

The company says that the new routes will help create up to 120 new jobs in the area, and that it will be predominantly recruiting forcabin crew, engineers and ground operations.

Will you be planning a long-haul trip this year or next year? Let us know in the comments below.