British Airways Announces
Non-Stop Service to London from New Orleans
Non-stop international
destinations from New Orleans increase to six cities
New Orleans – Today, British Airways announced it
will begin year-round service to London from New Orleans beginning March 27,
2017. This new international non-stop flight departs four times per week from
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) to London Heathrow
(LHR). From London Heathrow, British Airways’ passengers can connect seamlessly
to over 130 destinations in Europe and beyond. This announcement welcomes the
Airport’s sixth international destination.
Simon Brooks, Senior Vice President, British
Airways, said “We are
delighted to be adding New Orleans to the British Airways global network. It’s
such a vibrant city and like London, it boasts an iconic music and arts scene.
I’m sure it will be a big hit with British visitors. We are also pleased to be
connecting our two cities as developing technology hubs and look forward to
increased business opportunities as a result of the new service.”
British Airways
will be operating a Boeing 787-800 Dreamliner, the newest aircraft of their
fleet. Each of the Dreamliner’s 214 seats is equipped with widescreen TVs, an
entertainment system capable of connecting with passengers’ devices, and an
in-seat chat system for talking to family or friends on the flight. The
aircraft is divided into four cabins with 154 seats in World Traveller
(economy), 25 seats in World Traveller Plus (premium economy), and 35 seats in
Club World (business). Passengers can enjoy free meals, beverages, and a free
checked bag.
The new service
will depart from London Heathrow at 3:40pm and arrive at Louis Armstrong New
Orleans International Airport at 7:40pm.
The departure will be at 9:10pm from New Orleans arriving into London
Heathrow’s Terminal 5 at 12:00 noon the next day. Tickets are now available for
purchase on www.ba.com.
New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu said, “For years, we have pursued
bringing more direct international flights to Armstrong Airport, and with the
addition of British Airways, it’s clear our hard work is paying off. Now,
travelling from London to New Orleans and likewise from New Orleans abroad will
be more economical and save time, unleashing new economic ties and cultural
exchanges for our region’s businesses. Nonstop flights to London open a gateway
to new international markets that will create jobs and new opportunity. In
advance of our city’s tricentennial in 2018 and the opening of new North
Terminal project, New Orleans is poised for big things as we welcome more
travelers from around the world to our world-class city.”
Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards said, “Reconnecting New Orleans and
London with nonstop flights makes perfect business and tourism sense for our
state. More travelers come to the U.S. from the U.K. than any other nation
outside the Americas, and New Orleans experienced the biggest growth rate in
overseas visitors of any U.S. city last year. We have prepared for this
opportunity extensively in collaboration with the airport, the City of New
Orleans, the New Orleans CVB, Greater New Orleans Inc., Louisiana Economic
Development and other partners. Our collective efforts to attract British
Airways will build the global tourism brand of New Orleans, create new jobs in
the region, and generate significant international business development for
Louisiana.”
Jefferson Parish President Mike Yenni said, “British Airways is no doubt one
of the most exciting additions to Armstrong International. This continued
partnership between Jefferson Parish and the City of New Orleans continues to
grow and flourish and the addition of this new airline truly emphasizes how
strong economic development ties from both parties can bring new and exciting
companies to the airport. I look forward to seeing the growth of Armstrong
International and with the new terminal under construction, this will only mean
more growth and a level of service you can’t get anywhere else.”
Cheryl Teamer, New Orleans Aviation
Board Chairwoman, said,
“This is a prodigious occasion for the Airport and the community. After several
decades, the Airport will once again provide non-stop service to London with
British Airways.”
New Orleans Councilman Jared Brossett,
Chair of the Transportation and Aviation Committee, said, “The number of international
travelers is already on the rise for New Orleans. With this new non-stop flight
from London, we hope to see those numbers continue to grow.”
Walter Krygowski, Acting Director of
Aviation for Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, said, “London was New Orleans’ number
one un-served international destination. Our team worked very hard to return non-stop
service to London from New Orleans, and we are pleased to have finally done
that. We welcome this new international destination from Armstrong
International with British Airways.”
Gregory Rusovich, Chairman, Louisiana
Board of International Commerce,
said, “This exciting new global service will have a huge transformational
impact on our state, region and city. Louisiana is quickly becoming a
global epicenter ready for business and ready to delight even more
visitors. We thank British Airways, one of the finest airlines on planet
earth, for choosing Louisiana. We are proud, grateful and ready for this
dynamic opportunity.”
Michael Hecht, President & CEO of
GNO, Inc., said, “‘Game
changer’ is the best way to describe this announcement. Reconnecting the New
Orleans region to London and Europe for the first time since 1982 will have a
dramatic positive impact on tourism, conventions and business – and will go a
long way towards making New Orleans once again a truly global economic player.
Landing this flight was the result of a remarkable 4+ year public/private
effort, that emphatically demonstrates the power of partnership and
perseverance. The entire team is thrilled to welcome British Airways to New
Orleans."
Stephen Perry, President & CEO of
the New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau, said, “The new partnership with BA
will drive the brand of New Orleans as a world destination not only in the UK,
but throughout the European continent. With the new Dreamliner and all of its
amenities, we will have a top of class aircraft directly connecting London to
New Orleans. We will jointly forge an entirely new marketing approach in
collaboration with BA and our London office that will be a huge part of a
greatly ramped up international marketing program, designed to generate
hundreds of millions of new top line dollars to the Greater New Orleans
region.”
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About Louis Armstrong
New Orleans International Airport
Louis
Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) is the primary commercial
airport in the State of Louisiana serving over 80% of all passengers flying
into the State. Armstrong International Airport is owned by the City of New
Orleans. The New Orleans Aviation Board (NOAB), an unattached board of the City
of New Orleans, oversees the administration, operation, and maintenance of
Armstrong International. With this announcement by Copa Airlines, the Airport
now has 16 airlines providing service to 58 non-stop destinations, including
six international destinations. A new world-class terminal complex is currently
being constructed. The new North Terminal will be complete by May 2018 in time
for the 300th anniversary of the City of New Orleans. For more information,
please visit www.flymsy.com.
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