US Airways to begin service to Heathrow
Charlotte Business Journal
US Airways Group Inc. will begin flying to Heathrow Airport in London early next year.
Service between Philadelphia and London is scheduled to start on March 29, with tickets available for purchase Dec. 1.
The airline, which has its largest hub at Charlotte/Douglas International Airport, will operate the flights on Airbus A330 aircraft.
"We were fortunate to identify a unique opportunity to acquire landing and takeoff rights at Heathrow, and given Heathrow's importance as a European gateway as well as its close proximity to London for business travelers, we are pleased to take advantage of that opportunity," says Scott Kirby, president.
The airline has been trying to secure a gate at Heathrow for months.
In related developments, US Airways will order five additional wide-body A330-200 aircraft from Airbus. The carrier has also agreed to lease two A330-200s. US Airways says the additional planes will allow the company to continue its international growth plans of adding three to four new markets per year between 2009 and 2011.
Arizona-based US Airways (NYSE:LCC) has 3,800 flights per day to more than 230 destinations in the United States, Canada, Europe, Caribbean and Latin America.