TRANSATLANTIC travel from Shannon Airport has been boosted this week with the return of seasonal daily routes to Chicago and New York.
Capacity from Shannon to the United States has been increased for summer 2026. In what is its largest schedule in seventeen years, Shannon will be offering forty routes to the US, UK and Europe.
From Friday (May 22nd), United Airlines’ non-stop service to Chicago O’Hare resumes, followed on Saturday 23rd May by Delta’s service to New York–JFK. Both routes will operate daily, reinforcing Shannon’s position as a leading gateway between Ireland and North America.
Delta’s JFK service offers over 51,000 seats for the summer, while United’s Chicago route adds a further 44,000 seats. These services bring total transatlantic seat capacity via Shannon Airport to 340,000 for the summer season, representing a five percent increase on the same period last year.
Across the full year in 2026, passengers travelling between Shannon and the United States will have a choice of 2,300 flights and over 420,000 seats. The seasonal services relaunching this week complement Aer Lingus’ and United Airlines’ year‑round routes to Boston and New York.
Aer Lingus will also increase capacity on its Boston service, with additional frequencies operating from 20th May to 13th July, expanding from seven to ten flights per week and providing almost 9,000 additional seats.
Speaking ahead of the resumption of the US summer schedule, Ray O’Driscoll, CEO of The Shannon Airport Group, outlined, “It’s fantastic to see the return of the Delta, JFK and United Chicago routes for the summer. Transatlantic services play a central role in Shannon Airport’s offering, and these services complete a strong network of year‑round routes to the US”.
He added, “These flights are also hugely important for the region, bringing thousands of US visitors directly into the West of Ireland, particularly during the peak summer months. This connectivity supports our vital tourism and hospitality industries right across the country.”
Passengers travelling from Shannon also benefit from using the airport’s full US Preclearance facility, saving time and arriving in the United States as domestic passengers. In addition, the free Mobile Passport Control (MPC) app allows eligible travellers to complete part of the process in advance, making the experience even quicker and more convenient.
As passenger numbers across its entire route network continue to grow, Shannon Airport has invested significantly in enhancing its facilities and overall travel experience. The addition of 1,000 new spaces in the Park4Less car park provides customers with greater flexibility across both short‑stay and long‑stay options, with all car parks located within a short seven‑minute walk of the terminal. The airport’s security screening technology allows passengers to keep liquids and gels of 100ml or less, together with electronic devices, in their bags, speeding up the security process and making the airport journey smoother for families, holidaymakers and business travellers.
