Aer Lingus started as a government-backed venture. It wasn’t just an airline. It was the result of a merger between two separate entities. One handled domestic and European routes. The other focused on the transatlantic market. Together, they formed the national carrier of Ireland.
The first flight took off on May 27, 1936. The route went from Dublin to Bristol. That same year, service extended to London. Before World War II, the airline also flew to Liverpool and the Isle of Man. The post-war era brought expansion. Paris and Amsterdam became part of the network. Other European cities followed.
Transatlantic service arrived later. In 1958, Aer Lingus launched flights from Dublin through Shannon International Airport. Destinations included New York and Boston. The North American network grew. Flights to Chicago and Montreal began in 1966.
Privatization changed everything. The Irish government sold the airline in 2006. This marked the end of its era as a state-owned company.
