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<\/p>\nAer Lingus Launches Pittsburgh Route and Five New European Services for Summer 2026<\/p>\n
Aer Lingus has announced another network expansion for summer 2026, including five new European routes alongside a brand-new transatlantic service from Dublin to Pittsburgh. As well as the new routes, the Cork-Prague service will now run year-round.<\/p>\n
Dublin to Pittsburgh<\/p>\n
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From 25th May 2026, Aer Lingus will launch a four-times-weekly service between Dublin and Pittsburgh<\/strong>, operating on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. Flights will be operated by the Airbus A321neoLR. <\/strong>This will take Aer Lingus to 24 North American routes from Ireland.<\/p>\n The route launch builds on its long-standing relationship with the Pittsburgh Steelers. It will provide one-stop access to western Pennsylvania without the need to transit through a US hub or change at Heathrow onto a BA-operated flight.<\/p>\n One way Business fares hover around \u20ac2,286. Economy fares start at \u20ac289.<\/p>\n New European Routes for Summer 2026<\/p>\n Aer Lingus has announced three European routes from Dublin in May, including:<\/strong><\/p>\n From Cork, two new twice-weekly flights have been announced, including:<\/strong><\/p>\n Advantage fares (the premium short-haul offering) average \u20ac180-\u20ac240, while Economy fares start at \u20ac59.99.<\/p>\n View the Aer Lingus site here <\/a><\/strong>or discover more about the AerClub loyalty programme + the cheapest way to earn status<\/a> in our guide.<\/strong><\/p>\n Discounted Virgin Hotels Reward Stays This Winter Virgin Red has launched a fantastic winter redemption deal on Virgin Hotels Reward Stays, with lower redemption costs<\/strong> on most properties in the US and UK.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n The offer applies to the Chamber Room category, and you must book direct with Virgin Hotels at least 7 days in advance.<\/p>\n US Stays include:<\/strong><\/p>\n There are some great value deals here.<\/strong> For example, the New Orleans hotel has rooms for \u00a3212-\u00a3349 during those dates, so you\u2019re getting a value of 1.06p-1.75p per point, which is much higher than some redemptions (e.g. gift cards). However,\u00a0 hotel redemptions are not always the most lucrative way to spend Virgin Points<\/a><\/strong>, as flights, upgrades, cruises, and experiences are, but they are certainly more valuable than spending points on vouchers.<\/p>\n Virgin Hotels London Shoreditch<\/strong> is also included in the offer, though at a higher rate, starting at 45,000 points per night,\u00a0for bookings made before 31st December 2025 for Thursday to Sunday stays with a check-out date before 31st March 2026. <\/strong>However, with the average Chamber room cost of \u00a3234, you\u2019re getting a value of 0.52p per point.<\/p>\n If you have a stay in mind, make sure you check availability. Remember, you can transfer Virgin Red Points and Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Points between accounts, depending on what you want to use them for.<\/p>\n If you opt for a paid rate instead, you can still earn 7 Virgin Points per \u00a31.<\/p>\n Discover Virgin Hotels here<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Direct UK-Germany Rail Services Move Closer<\/p>\n Eurostar and Deutsche Bahn have signed an agreement to work on high-speed services to Cologne and Frankfurt.<\/strong> This follows the first-of-its-kind treaty signed in July by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Keir Starmer, aimed at breaking down legal and logistical barriers that prevent a direct rail route.<\/p>\n This service will most certainly make trains to Germany a viable option from the UK, removing the need for timetable juggling and changing trains in Brussels<\/strong> and providing transport between city centres.<\/p>\n At the moment, a rail journey between London and Frankfurt takes an average of 5-9 hours, with at least one change. The new service would take you to Cologne in 4 hours and Frankfurt in 5.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n
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Virgin Hotels New Orleans<\/p>\n\nHotel
\nPoints per Night (from)
\nBooking Deadline
\nLatest 2026 Check-Out Date
\n<\/tr>\n\n Virgin Hotels New Orleans<\/td>\n 20,000\u00a0<\/td>\n 15th January 2026<\/td>\n 31st January\u00a0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Virgin Hotels Dallas<\/td>\n 22,500\u00a0<\/td>\n 15th January 2026<\/td>\n 28th February\u00a0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Virgin Hotels Nashville<\/td>\n 27,500<\/td>\n 15th January 2026<\/td>\n 28th February\u00a0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Virgin Hotels New York<\/td>\n 27,500\u00a0<\/td>\n 15th January 2026<\/td>\n 28th February\u00a0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/rtaImage-scaled.jpeg\")
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