AUSTIN, Texas
British Airways successfully completed its first nonstop flight from London Heathrow to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AIBA) on Monday, March 3, 2014. The service started just in time for overseas visitors to enjoy the SXSW® Music, Film and Interactive Conferences and Festivals, which begin this Friday, March 7, in Austin.
"We're ecstatic that British Airways decided to add nonstop service between London and Austin. It shows that they see the future potential for this marketplace as the epicenter of central Texas," said Bob Lander, President and CEO of the Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau. "Visitors from the UK currently represent our top overseas market and we know that this flight will help us increase that number."
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft was greeted with several aviation enthusiasts waiting to capture the historical landing on film; a press conference by Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell and a lively gate celebration sending off the inaugural passengers.
“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.”
British Airways Route Details
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.
The London –Austin nonstop service will be available five days a week, increasing to daily flights in May. Seats and vacation packages are available for purchase at ba.com.
