Tag: Boston

JetBlue expands transatlantic service with Gatwick to Boston flight

JetBlue has announced the launch of its new service between London Gatwick and Boston’s Logan International Airport.

To celebrate the launch, for a limited time, US- originating travellers can benefit from special roundtrip fares from Boston to Gatwick starting at $539 in core and $2,199 for JetBlue’s premium Mint experience. U.K.-originating travellers can fly to Boston for GBP369 in core and GBP1899 in Mint- available online only t www.jetblue.com.

JetBlue flights between the US and London are scheduled to operate using the Airbus A321LR aircraft with 24 Mint suites, 114 core seats and its Airspace cabin interior.

‘Our London service from New York has been an incredible success and we are thrilled to finally bring this highly anticipated service to our Boston customers, a route that has long suffered from high fares by legacy carriers,’ said Robin Hayes, chief executive officer, JetBlue. ‘As Boston’s largest carrier, adding this nonstop service to Gatwick will only make us more relevant in our New England focus city and introduce JetBlue to a largely unserved market.’

‘We are excited to welcome JetBlue’s first transatlantic service from Boston to London Gatwick,’ said Massport CEO, Lisa Wieland. ‘We thank JetBlue for their continued partnership, and we look forward to the additional travel opportunities this will generate for our passengers.’

‘We are delighted to welcome the launch of JetBlue’s new service between Boston and London. Demand for travel to the UK has returned to pre-pandemic levels, and the additional connectivity from Boston, a vital US market, will make it even easier for Americans looking to book their next trip over. As we head into the beautiful Autumn season, whether visitors are returning or discovering the UK for the first time, now is the perfect time to explore another side of Britain, filled with buzzing cities, exciting outdoor adventures, and iconic landmarks with a modern twist,’ said Paul Gauger, VisitBritain’s Senior Vice President for the Americas.

JetBlue’s daily nonstop service is part of the airline’s long-term transatlantic growth plans. Last year, JetBlue launched its first-ever transatlantic service from New York-JFK to both Heathrow and Gatwick, London’s largest and busiest airports. The airline plans to grow its transatlantic presence this year with a new service from Boston Logan to London’s Heathrow Airport, launching September 20, 2022, and an additional Gatwick departure from New York starting October 29, 2022.

Between JetBlue’s New York and Boston focus cities, the airline will offer five daily flights between the U.S. and the U.K. by October.

JetBlue announces new flights between Boston and London

JetBlue has recently announced the introduction of new flights between the airline’s Boston focus city and London starting this summer.

The airline’s new nonstop service between Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) and London Gatwick Airport (LGW) will take off from the U.S. on July 19, 2022, followed by a nonstop service between Boston and London Heathrow Airport (LHR) on August 22, 2022. With service to Heathrow and Gatwick, JetBlue becomes the only airline to fly between New England and London’s two largest and busiest airports.

‘Our strategy of flying to both Heathrow and Gatwick Airports has been a success for us in New York, and we’ve secured slots to be able to do the same in Boston, becoming the only airline in New England offering flights to London’s two main airports,’ said Robin Hayes, chief executive officer, JetBlue. ‘Our London service has been an incredible success so far and we’ve been able to go in with our unbeatable JetBlue service and experience and bring down fares on a traditionally overpriced route – the JetBlue Effect in action. We’re ready to do the same at Logan as we advance our growth strategies in both Boston and London.’

Flights on both Gatwick and Heathrow routes will operate daily on JetBlue’s new Airbus A321 Long Range (LR) aircraft with 24 redesigned Mint suites, and 114 standard seating. Introductory roundtrip fares for U.S.-originating travellers flying to Gatwick start at $499 roundtrip or $1,949 for JetBlue’s premium Mint experience. Roundtrip fares to Heathrow start at $549 for standard and $1,999 for Mint. Seats on both new London routes are on sale now and U.S. point-of-sale fares are available online at jetblue.com. U.K.-originating travellers can also avail special introductory fares starting at £349 for core and £1,449 for Mint from Gatwick. Roundtrip fares from Heathrow start at £399 for core and £1,499 for Mint.

For exclusive savings and perks, customers can also bundle their flight and hotel with JetBlue Vacations.

‘JetBlue has been a great partner to Logan for many years and we are excited that they are launching two London – Boston services this summer,’ said Massport’s Director of Aviation Ed Freni. ‘These new flights give our passengers even more choice when they cross the Atlantic.’

JetBlue has also announced that it is extending its flying schedule between New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and London Heathrow Airport, with seats available for booking now.

Jet2 to commence new transatlantic services from northern UK

Low cost airline Jet2.com is set to launch new transatlantic flights to New York and Boston, offering its services to holidaymakers in the north of England and Scotland.

The airline is set to run a series of direct flights and package holidays to the US in spring next year, flying from the Leeds Bradford and Newcastle airports to New York, and from Leeds Bradford and Glasgow to Boston. It will also provide a service from Leeds Bradford and Newcastle to Toronto, Canada.

While only six flights are scheduled presently, the airline said it would consider introducing the services on a permanent basis if the demand was high. The airline briefly ran a service to New York last November, but Steve Heapy, chief executive of Jet2.com, said that the latest move was a ‘milestone’.

The new flight schedule announced includes:

New York – three-night Easter breaks departing from Leeds Bradford and Newcastle airport on April 17.

Boston – four-night break from Glasgow for St Patrick’s Weekend, departing on March 14, and a three-night break from Leeds Bradford departing on April 3.

Toronto – three-night break departing on April 10 from Leeds Bradford and Newcastle.

No airlines currently fly direct from Glasgow, Leeds Bradford or Newcastle to North America. Presently travellers in Scotland and the north of England fly via London, paying Air Passenger Duty twice, or rely on limited services from Manchester.

Steve Heapy, chief executive of the airline, said: ‘We are thrilled to be the very first holiday company to give people direct access to these exciting transatlantic destinations from Leeds, Glasgow and Newcastle.’

‘The addition of these three routes reinforces our commitment to our regional customers,’ he added.

 

Security ramped up for London marathon following Boston bombings

The London marathon, a major tourism event for the UK’s capital city, is to be subject to an increased security presence following a suspected terrorist attack on yesterday’s Boston marathon in the USA.

The London marathon is due to take place this coming Sunday, but fears that the attack on the Boston event, which killed three people and injured 130, could be the beginning of an international terror campaign, will guarantee heightened security in London. Two bombs were detonated in quick succession near to the race finishing line in Boston at 2.50pm local time yesterday.

Marathon events provide a challenge for security forces, with courses that cover large areas of the host city making them difficult to police. Spectators at the London event will be asked to be especially vigilant and to immediately report any suspicious activity to the authorities.

Commenting on the Boston bombing, the UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office has warned of possible travel disruption as a result and issued a statement saying, ‘At least two explosions took place close to the finishing line of the Boston marathon, causing many injuries. You should exercise vigilance and caution, monitoring local media and following the advice of local authorities. If in the affected area you should let family and friends know you are safe. Additional information can be obtained through the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency.’

Six flights are scheduled to depart Heathrow airport for Boston today, carrying a total of 2,000 passengers. British Airways has already said that for the next three days passengers on its Boston flights will be allowed to switch to an alternative US destination.