The Pittsburgh Steelers have partnered with Aer Lingus, naming it their official airline ahead of an NFL game in Ireland, strengthening Irish-American ties.
Aer Lingus Partners with Pittsburgh Steelers to Boost U.S. Connections
In its latest effort to appeal to U.S. travelers, Dublin-based Aer Lingus has inked a new partnership with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The collaboration, spurred by an upcoming National Football League (NFL) game in Ireland, establishes Aer Lingus as the official airline of the Steelers. It also aligns with the carrier’s direct route from Pittsburgh International Airport to Dublin Airport, further strengthening its presence in the region.
The announcement coincides with Aer Lingus ramping up its transatlantic operations for a busy summer schedule. By mid-2025, the airline plans to operate 24 transatlantic routes from Dublin, Shannon, and even Manchester in the United Kingdom. Destinations in North America include major cities like New York, Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia, and Miami. Aer Lingus will deploy a fleet of Airbus widebody and narrowbody aircraft to serve these routes.
A Four-Year Alliance with the Steelers
The partnership with the Pittsburgh Steelers will span four years, making Aer Lingus the team’s official airline. While the deal offers Aer Lingus strategic benefits, a major driver for the collaboration is the NFL game scheduled to take place in Ireland later this year.
The Steelers are set to play a regular-season game at Dublin’s iconic Croke Park stadium. Aer Lingus is positioning itself to capitalize on the anticipated surge in travel demand between western Pennsylvania and Ireland surrounding the event. To deepen its connection with the team and its fanbase, Aer Lingus is taking on several key roles:
- Presenting Partner of Steelers Ireland 2025: Aer Lingus will sponsor the game in Dublin.
- Founding Partner of Steelers Ireland: The airline is heavily involved in the broader Steelers Ireland initiative.
- Official Airline Partner of Steelers Ireland: Aer Lingus is leveraging this title to further integrate its brand with the team.
This long-term partnership highlights Aer Lingus’ commitment to aligning its brand with the Steelers, tapping into the loyalty of the team’s fanbase, and solidifying its reputation as a top choice for transatlantic travel.
Aer Lingus Joins Steelers to Foster Youth Football and Celebrate Shared Heritage
As part of its collaboration with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Aer Lingus will co-present the Steelers’ Ireland Youth Football Development Program. This initiative aims to promote the growth of American football at the grassroots level in Ireland. While it may seem unusual for a European airline to align so closely with an NFL team, the partnership makes perfect sense given the Steelers’ deep Irish roots.
The Steelers’ founder, Art Rooney, traced his family lineage to Ireland, dating back to the 1840s. When Rooney established the team in 1933, he imbued it with a strong connection to Irish culture. Over the decades, the Steelers have become one of the most successful teams in NFL history, boasting six Super Bowl titles and eight American Football Conference (AFC) championship wins. This shared heritage provides a natural foundation for the partnership between Aer Lingus and the Steelers.
A Boost for Pittsburgh and Aer Lingus
This collaboration brings significant excitement to Pittsburgh residents and Aer Lingus. Speaking on the partnership, Susanne Carberry, Aer Lingus’ Chief Customer Officer, emphasized the airline’s dedication to forging connections and creating meaningful initiatives for its U.S. markets.
Expanding Westward: Aer Lingus’ Growing U.S. Network
This partnership aligns with Aer Lingus’ broader strategy of expanding its reach in North America. Last year, the airline launched seasonal service to Denver International Airport and reinstated flights to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. In 2025, the carrier will introduce two new U.S. destinations: Indianapolis and Nashville. Both routes will be serviced by its Airbus A321 XLR aircraft, designed for efficiency on long-haul routes.
While major sports partnerships beyond the Steelers seem unlikely, Aer Lingus is clearly focused on building a loyal customer base in the U.S. By positioning itself as a key transatlantic carrier, it continues to connect North American travelers to European destinations via its Dublin hub, carving out its niche in a competitive market.
The post Aer Lingus Takes Flight as Official Airline of The Pittsburgh Steelers appeared first on Travel And Tour World.
