Regional carrier Flybe has signed a codeshare agreement with Dublin-based airline Aer Lingus.
The deal will enable Flybe customers travelling from Exeter, Inverness, Southend and Southampton to access, via a single stop in Dublin, destinations across North America and Canada.
Aer Lingus’ north Atlantic network includes 10 daily flights across the Atlantic to Boston, New York, San Francisco, Orlando, Chicago and Toronto.
This codeshare agreement includes Flybe franchise partner flights to the Irish capital from Donegal with Loganair and Flybe's joint operation from Southend with Stobart Air.
Travellers will also benefit from gaining pre-clearance by US customs at Dublin airport.
Flybe’s chief commercial officer, Paul Simmons, said: "Our new codeshare agreement with Aer Lingus is another exciting development for Flybe and we are delighted to be working with such an excellent and well-respected airline.
“It further demonstrates our commitment to providing seamless connectivity from the regions of the UK, which means passengers do not have to face long road or rail journeys to the UK's south east hub airports."
The deal builds upon Flybe’s current codeshare partnerships, including those with Air France, BA, Etihad, Finnair and KLM, along with 17 interline partners that includes Emirates, Virgin Atlantic, Delta, Air Portugal and Qatar Airways.
Aer Lingus’ chief strategy and planning officer Stephen Kavanagh added: "We are delighted to join forces with Flybe as a connecting codeshare partner. The combination of our services will give both airlines increased network reach and will help Aer Lingus to further develop our transatlantic hub at Dublin to the benefit of customers in the U.K and the U.S."
Last month Flybe launched six new routes from London City airport - Aberdeen, Belfast, Edinburgh, Exeter, Dublin and Inverness
Flybe.com
AerLingus.com