New Aer Lingus service to Montpellier takes off

Aer Lingus is celebrating a new addition to its summer short haul schedule, as the airline’s first flight EI540 from Dublin Airport to Montpellier departed today. Flights to Montpellier will operate twice weekly, providing an attractive new destination for city breaks and longer summer holidays.

For those seeking a taste of French culture, Montpellier provides a distinctive blend of history, architecture, and Mediterranean charm. The city’s notable landmarks include its very own Arc de Triomphe, ‘Porte du Peyrou’, which was constructed for Louis XIV. Visitors will also love exploring the impressive Place de la Comédie, a thriving town square that’s home to the Opéra Comédie, an Italian-style theatre, and the famous Three Graces Fountain.

Located just a short distance from the coast, the city enjoys around 300 days of sunshine each year, making it an ideal destination for a summer getaway. The region also serves as a convenient gateway to some of the most charming towns and villages in the south of France – including nearby coastal gems like Mèze and Sète.

Montpellier is the latest addition to the Aer Lingus schedule, following the recent launch of new routes from Dublin to Oslo in Norway and Asturias in northern Spain, as well as a new route from Cork to Nice. A new service from Cork to Santiago de Compostela will commence from June 1.

On its long-haul network, Aer Lingus will operate a total of 24 routes from Ireland to North America in 2026, including firm favourites for Irish holidaymakers – Nashville, Orlando and New York.

A new route to Raleigh-Durham in North Carolina launched in April and another new route to Pittsburgh will start from 25 May 2026. These new routes build on the airline’s Dublin Hub strategy, which supports seamless connections between North America and the airline’s extensive European network.

Reid Moody, Chief Strategy & Planning Officer, Aer Lingus, said: “Our summer schedule is packed with destinations for those looking to explore Europe or travel further afield, and we’re pleased to welcome Montpellier as our newest addition. Montpellier is a city that offers culture and history in abundance, as well as providing a convenient gateway to the south of France.”