Trade Takes Off with United Airlines to Washington DC

Peter O’Hanlon (Sales Director Travelbiz and Travelfinders) touched down with key trade partners last week as a guest of Andy Facer, representing Visit Washington DC, alongside Aoife Gregg Anderson from United Airlines, for a very special dinner in Dublin’s Drury Buildings—an evening centred on connectivity, opportunity and growth for the Irish travel trade.

With United Airlines operating a daily direct service from Dublin to Washington Dulles International Airport, the route offers seamless, year-round access to the US capital and beyond. The convenience of preclearance at Dublin Airport, combined with United’s extensive onward network from its Washington Dulles hub, makes it an exceptionally strong proposition for both leisure and corporate travel.

For the Irish trade, Visit Washington DC presents a compelling and often underutilised gateway—offering world-class, free Smithsonian museums, iconic monuments, vibrant neighbourhoods, and a thriving culinary and cultural scene. Its strategic location also allows easy access to the wider Mid-Atlantic region, including Virginia and Maryland, opening up multi-centre itinerary potential.

United’s schedule and connectivity make it ideal for premium, business and MICE travel, with strong cabin offerings and reliable onward connections across North America. For agents and operators, this translates into real opportunity to package DC not just as a standalone destination, but as a key hub within broader USA programmes.

The evening reinforced a clear message: with direct access, strong airline support and a destination rich in experiences, Washington DC is primed for growth from the Irish market—and the trade is perfectly positioned to capitalise.