Pittsburgh International Airport marked a historic moment Monday night as Aer Lingus launched its first direct flight to Dublin, celebrating with Irish-themed festivities and emotional moments for passengers.The event was the result of a long-time collaboration between Aer Lingus with partners in the region, including the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh International Airport, the Pittsburgh Steelers and VisitPittsburgh.”A lot of Irish immigrants live in Pittsburgh. There’s a lot of mutual investment between Pittsburgh and Dublin, and Dublin and Pittsburgh, so this is what has been happening for a long time. It just took the arrival of this aircraft to make it work,” said William Byrne, senior vice president of global sales for Aer Lingus. The Airbus A321neo LR, featuring 184 seats, including 16 lie-flat business class seats, landed in Pittsburgh just before 7 p.m. and departed for Dublin before 9 p.m. “It’s my first time in Pittsburgh, and what a warm, beautiful welcome,” said Deirdre Begley, a passenger coming from Dublin. Passengers enjoyed a Pittsburgh-Irish celebration at the gate, complete with music, Irish dancers, Pitt mascot Roc the Panther, Steelers mascot and Steely McBeam and shamrock Eat’n Park cookies. “We actually were going to fly yesterday and found out about this, and we changed our plans,” said Terry Sullivan, of Pittsburgh, who was headed to Dublin for a Guinness world record-breaking gathering of people with the surname “Sullivan.”Lucy Morrison, originally from Ireland but now living in Morgantown, West Virginia, was on her way to visit family.”I’m just happy to be here and happy to be headed on the first, the maiden voyage,” Morrison said. “Very emotional. All this today I didn’t expect. I did say I hoped they might have some champagne, but this is just awesome. So convenient. I’m delighted. I hope I get to go home more often.” For Jennifer Hercules and her son Zach from Claysville, the flight marked the start of a dream trip. “It was a surprise birthday present for my 50th birthday, trip of my dreams. I’m going to cry,” Hercules said. Zach added, “We were kind of taking advantage of this first opportunity of the direct flight, so it kind of just ended up being perfect timing. She’s always wanted to go. It’s been her dream, so I wanted to make it true.” The new route will operate four times a week on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.Download the WTAE app to stay connected with breaking news. Sign up for our email newsletters to get breaking news in your inbox.

PITTSBURGH —

Pittsburgh International Airport marked a historic moment Monday night as Aer Lingus launched its first direct flight to Dublin, celebrating with Irish-themed festivities and emotional moments for passengers.

The event was the result of a long-time collaboration between Aer Lingus with partners in the region, including the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh International Airport, the Pittsburgh Steelers and VisitPittsburgh.

“A lot of Irish immigrants live in Pittsburgh. There’s a lot of mutual investment between Pittsburgh and Dublin, and Dublin and Pittsburgh, so this is what has been happening for a long time. It just took the arrival of this aircraft to make it work,” said William Byrne, senior vice president of global sales for Aer Lingus.

The Airbus A321neo LR, featuring 184 seats, including 16 lie-flat business class seats, landed in Pittsburgh just before 7 p.m. and departed for Dublin before 9 p.m.

“It’s my first time in Pittsburgh, and what a warm, beautiful welcome,” said Deirdre Begley, a passenger coming from Dublin.

Passengers enjoyed a Pittsburgh-Irish celebration at the gate, complete with music, Irish dancers, Pitt mascot Roc the Panther, Steelers mascot and Steely McBeam and shamrock Eat’n Park cookies.

“We actually were going to fly yesterday and found out about this, and we changed our plans,” said Terry Sullivan, of Pittsburgh, who was headed to Dublin for a Guinness world record-breaking gathering of people with the surname “Sullivan.”

Lucy Morrison, originally from Ireland but now living in Morgantown, West Virginia, was on her way to visit family.

“I’m just happy to be here and happy to be headed on the first, the maiden voyage,” Morrison said. “Very emotional. All this today I didn’t expect. I did say I hoped they might have some champagne, but this is just awesome. So convenient. I’m delighted. I hope I get to go home more often.”

For Jennifer Hercules and her son Zach from Claysville, the flight marked the start of a dream trip.

“It was a surprise birthday present for my 50th birthday, trip of my dreams. I’m going to cry,” Hercules said.

Zach added, “We were kind of taking advantage of this first opportunity of the direct flight, so it kind of just ended up being perfect timing. She’s always wanted to go. It’s been her dream, so I wanted to make it true.”

The new route will operate four times a week on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

Download the WTAE app to stay connected with breaking news. Sign up for our email newsletters to get breaking news in your inbox.