Aer Lingus has issued an important update that could significantly impact UK travellers heading to Walt Disney World, confirming it is no longer selling transatlantic flights from Manchester for travel from 31 March 2026 onwards.
In a statement published on its website, Aer Lingus said it is currently experiencing a “period of uncertainty” surrounding transatlantic services at its Manchester base. As a precautionary move to minimise customer disruption in the event of a potential base closure, the airline has stopped selling long haul flights from Manchester Airport to destinations including Orlando, New York and Barbados beyond that date.
This means passengers looking to book Aer Lingus flights between Manchester and Orlando for late March 2026 and beyond will no longer see availability, despite no formal closure being confirmed at this time.
What Has Aer Lingus Said?
Aer Lingus stressed that the move is precautionary and designed to reduce disruption should changes be made to its Manchester operations. The airline added that customers already booked on affected flights are being contacted directly with further information.
Importantly for regional travellers, Aer Lingus confirmed there is no impact on short haul services between Manchester and Ireland, including flights operated by Aer Lingus Regional.
What This Means for Walt Disney World Travellers
The Manchester–Orlando route has been popular with UK families heading to Walt Disney World, particularly due to the option of connecting via Dublin with US preclearance. While existing bookings have not yet been cancelled, future travel plans for 2026 may now need to be reconsidered.
Travellers with flights booked after 31 March 2026 are advised to monitor communications from Aer Lingus closely and review their rights under EU passenger protection rules.
Aer Lingus has directed customers to EU Regulation 261/2004 for full details on passenger rights in the event of cancellations or significant schedule changes.
WDW Insider News will continue to follow this developing story closely and will share updates as soon as more clarity is provided on the future of Aer Lingus transatlantic services from Manchester.