Aer Lingus’ new flight to Nashville will take to the skies on 12th April as new research from the airline shows a surge in the appeal of country music culture across all generations. This service is set to drive strong demand from the UK, offering seamless links through Dublin connecting from Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds Bradford, London Heathrow, Manchester, and Southampton airports.

It comes as a survey* of more than 1,000 adults shows that 71% describe themselves as country music fans. Gen Z is now the age group most tuned into this music genre, with an impressive 87% listening to country music regularly. The mainstream appeal of country music culture is fuelling this trend, with almost half (48%) attributing its rise to pop culture sensations such as Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter album. It’s no surprise that over two-thirds of those surveyed (68%) are eager to experience ‘Music City’, cementing Nashville’s status as a bucket-list destination for all ages.

Aer Lingus’ new Nashville route will be the first to fully utilise the Airbus A321XLR aircraft’s extended flying range, enabling the advance of Aer Lingus further into the US and opening up previously unserved destinations. The four-time weekly service will make it easier than ever for music fans to reach the home of the Grand Ole Opry and more music museums than any city in the world. As well as being renowned for its country music scene, Nashville is home to artists of all genres, including Jack White, Sheryl Crow, Taylor Swift, Keb Mo, The Black Keys, and more.

Research shows that the city’s musical heritage and southern cuisine were the top attractions for Nashville-bound visitors. Over the past 15 years Nashville’s culinary scene has taken centre stage, winning numerous accolades and awards. Dubliner Trevor Moran’s Locust restaurant was recently named Restaurant of the Year by Food & Wine, while it also made USA Today’s Restaurants of the Year list, and The New York Times’ America’s Best Restaurant list.

As one of the top 30 metro areas in the United States, Nashville presents a significant opportunity for Aer Lingus to solidify its status as a leading transatlantic airline. The new route will enhance direct connectivity between US cities and Europe via the Aer Lingus Dublin Hub, catering to the needs of a growing city and its businesses. UK customers can also take advantage of the pre-clearance of US customs offered at Dublin Airport to save time on their journey.

Lynne Embleton, Aer Lingus Chief Executive Officer, said: “There has been huge anticipation around this new route on both sides of the Atlantic, with Nashville now one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States. Nashville’s mass appeal makes it an attractive new destination as Aer Lingus continues to become a bigger airline, flying 22 transatlantic routes this summer and strengthening our position as a leader across the Atlantic.

The new route to Nashville is a milestone for the airline, enabling us to advance our ambitions and reach further into the US, flying to previously unserved markets in North America, including Indianapolis, which commences in May. The new Airbus A321 XLR, with its extended range, and our geographic position on the Western edge of Europe opens up exciting new destinations and opportunities for Aer Lingus, and most importantly for our customers. Aer Lingus’ new Dublin – Nashville route delivers further connectivity through our Dublin Hub, providing a direct connection between Europe and Nashville.”