Aer Lingus has launched two new transatlantic routes, to Montréal and Minneapolis-St. Paul.

As Canada’s second biggest city, Montréal is also the world’s second largest French-speaking city and Minneapolis-St. Paul is the gateway to the Midwest, thanks to its famous golden arch.

Aer Lingus will fly daily from Dublin to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport from July 8th next year with a Boeing 757 aircraft.

On August 8th the airline will begin its daily service to Montreal’s Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport in Canada, direct from Dublin.

It will use one of its brand-new Airbus A321 neo long-range aircraft, which is due to enter service next year.

The two new destinations, the airline’s 14th and 15th in North America, bring the total number of routes it operates across the Atlantic to 17.

The new services to Montréal and Minneapolis-St. Paul will add a quarter of million additional seats annually to Aer Lingus’ transatlantic network, which already offers 2.8 million seats annually between Ireland and North America.

Speaking at the launch of Aer Lingus’ new transatlantic routes, Stephen Kavanagh, Aer Lingus chief executive, said: “Today we are pleased to announce two new transatlantic routes from our Dublin Hub with daily direct service to Montreal and Minneapolis-St Paul commencing in summer 2019.

“These destinations each have a rich heritage, vibrant culture and much to offer visitors travelling for business or leisure.”