Hop aboard a brand-new Aer Lingus route that takes flight today.

As if we needed more excuses to dream of an Irish return, Aer Lingus has now made travel from Seattle to the Emerald Isle that much easier. Starting today, May 18, Aer Lingus has unveiled Ireland’s first direct route between Seattle and Dublin, a year-round service with four flights each week. 

The launch marks an ideal time to plan an adventure, as Aer Lingus kicks off its biggest summer sale yet. Today, fortunate passengers aboard the inaugural flight are treated to complimentary VIP tickets to one of Dublin’s biggest draws, Guinness Storehouse. How’s that for experiencing the luck o’ the Irish?

Last year the popular (and delicious) “Home of Guinness” surpassed all previous records, welcoming more than 1.7 million visitors through its St. James Gates and retaining its number one position on Fáilte Ireland’s annual list of top visitor attractions.

The vibrant Guinness Storehouse offers guests the chance to learn how to pour the perfect pint, to enjoy delicious Irish cuisine at the Tasting Room or to simply savor panoramic views (accompanied by pints, of course) at the 360-degree Gravity Bar, which will double in size by 2019. This year, the Guinness Storehouse also enhanced its brewing floor to offer a more authentic and interactive experience to all its visitors.

A few flight fun facts:

• Aer Lingus’ Dublin Seattle route is Ireland’s first direct service to Seattle and marks the airline’s 15th North American route.
• Aer Lingus will operate its largest ever transatlantic program this summer; in 2018, total transatlantic capacity exceeds 2.75 million.
• Aer Lingus has an interline agreement with Alaska that allows travelers to book tickets on both airlines, and check bags through to their final destination when traveling on Alaska and Aer Lingus. (Travelers can also earn and redeem miles/AerClub points on both carriers.)
• Dublin is a leading transatlantic gateway, ranking as the fifth largest European airport for transatlantic connectivity.
• Aer Lingus guests can take advantage of U.S. pre-clearance when traveling via Dublin Airport.