British Airways Begins Flying from Austin, Texas Marking the First Transatlantic Service for the City

AUSTIN, Texas, March 3, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- British Airways today launches its inaugural flight between Austin, Texas and London, England.  This marks the first regular transatlantic nonstop service for the city of Austin.  The inaugural flight into Austin Bergstrom International Airport will be met by Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell and British Airways EVP Americas Sean Doyle.

For this much anticipated route, British Airways will operate one of the newest aircraft in its fleet, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.  The service will be available five days a week, increasing to daily flights in May.  The first flight is perfectly timed to help accommodate travelers from Europe heading to the international South by Southwest Conferences and Festivals.

The new aircraft features three cabins: Club World (business class), World Traveller Plus (premium economy) and World Traveller (economy).  The cabins feature stylish new interiors with state-of-the-art entertainment systems.  British Airways provides meals, snacks and beverages, including full-service bar for free.  Customers can also benefit from a generous baggage allowance.

"British Airways sees a great opportunity to make a connection between the vibrant cities of London and Austin," said Sean Doyle, EVP Americas, British Airways.  "Both cities have rich histories, brilliant arts and music scenes, and bright futures.  Equally important, today's flight connects Austin, primed for innovation and entrepreneurship, to London, Europe and beyond."

"As the Mayor of Austin and a former pilot, I am excited to have British Airways, one of the world's foremost carriers, create this trans-Atlantic link.  This first time, nonstop service between ABIA and Heathrow Airport is sure to take our cities to new levels for both business and vacation travelers," said Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell.  "We look forward to a great and growing relationship between Austin, British Airways, and London."

"Boeing is proud of its partnership with British Airways," said Boeing Sales Director David Longridge.  "The airline continues to use the 787 Dreamliner to link passengers to new destinations and also makes sure they travel in comfort.  This new route offers travelers from Heathrow a new non-stop adventure that begins when they step on board the Dreamliner, and a chance to explore new horizons."

The new route marks British Airways' third destination in Texas, with the airline also serving Houston and Dallas-Fort Worth.  Business and leisure travelers will fly into the modern Terminal 5 at Heathrow Airport with fast connections to the city or easy transfer to onward destinations in Europe, Asia and Africa.  American Airlines customers will be able to 'earn and burn' frequent flier miles on the new service as part of the joint business agreement between the two airlines.

About British Airways 
British Airways, part of International Airlines Group, is one of the world's leading global premium airlines and the largest international carrier in the UK.  The carrier has its home base at London Heathrow, the world's busiest international airport and flies to more than 70 different countries.  In 2012 the airline carried more than 37 million customers.  The airline currently has a fleet of more than 270 aircraft.  For more information visit www.ba.com

About Austin-Bergstrom International Airport 
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport served a record 9.4 million passengers in 2012 and traffic has increased 6% year-to-date.  Austin's airport has nonstop service to 41 destinations and is home to 13 airline carriers.  Austin-Bergstrom generates a $2.4 billion economic impact to the Austin area annually and is entirely self-sustaining, generating its own revenue to cover its operating costs.  For more information, visit http://www.austintexas.gov/airport.

Media Contact:
Aaron DeLuca, Porter Novelli on behalf of British Airways
512-653-0911 (m)
[email protected] 

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140303/AQ75166-a

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140303/AQ75166-b

SOURCE British Airways