Aer Lingus is Ireland's national airline and one of Europe's oldest carriers, founded in 1936. Operating from its primary base at Dublin Airport, the airline serves destinations across Europe, North America, and beyond, carrying tens of millions of passengers annually. The airline is a subsidiary of International Airlines Group (IAG), the parent company of British Airways and Iberia, having been acquired in 2015. Despite this ownership, Aer Lingus retains its distinct Irish identity and brand. It operates a hybrid model, competing as both a full-service transatlantic carrier and a value-focused short-haul European operator. Aer Lingus has grown its transatlantic network significantly, leveraging Ireland's pre-clearance facilities at Dublin and Shannon airports, which allow US-bound passengers to clear US customs before departure — a unique and popular convenience.