Icelandic budget airline WOW Air has announced a new route from Bristol Airport – its second departure point in the UK – to Iceland and North America, offering the cheapest transatlantic flights for travellers in SW England and Wales, according to a release by the Airport.
The new flights will begin from May 13, 2016, with tickets now available for booking from £39 to Reykjavik and £99 to the USA and Canada. Flights will depart Bristol Airport for the airline’s hub in Reykjavik on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Passengers travelling through will then have a short stopover before continuing on to one of the airline’s North American destinations – Boston, Washington D.C., Montreal, Toronto, Los Angeles or San Francisco.
A320 aircraft will operate the Bristol to Reykjavik flight with single-class A321 and A330-300 aircraft operating the routes between Iceland and North America.
Skuli Mogensen, Founder and CEO of WOW Air, said: ‘As one of our strongest markets we are delighted to continue to grow WOW air’s presence in the UK. Bringing our ultra-low-cost transatlantic model to Bristol will make flying to the US and Canada much easier for those in the South West and Wales. We hope our low fares will give holidaymakers in these areas the chance to travel further afield than previously planned, whilst enjoying great service, delivered with a smile.’
Robert Sinclair, chief executive office at Bristol Airport, said: ‘We are thrilled that WOW air has chosen Bristol as its first UK regional airport, providing low cost flights to the USA and Canada via the world-class Reykjavik hub.
‘Currently, over a million people a year travel between the South West and Wales and North America, including an estimated 250,000 inbound visitors. Until now, the majority have flown to and from London airports to do so, clocking up additional time and costs in the process. This new link will enhance both the convenience and affordability of flights to several American destinations, including Los Angeles and Washington D.C., giving people more reason than ever to choose to fly local.’
Bristol is the WOW Air’s 25th destination following the announcement of Canadian and Californian routes in October and November respectively. Launched in November 2011, WOW Air’s annual passenger capacity will more than double in 2016 to over 1.8 million, up from approximately 840,000 in 2015.
