Tag: United Airlines

United Airlines to operate new service from Edinburgh to Washington DC

Edinburgh Airport has announced the launch of a direct route between the capital of Scotland and the capital of the United States, starting next summer.

This is the first time that a direct route between Edinburgh and Washington DC will be on offer.

Starting May 23, 2018, United Airlines will operate the service to Washington Dulles, offering daily flights between the two capital cities. United will continue to operate its year-round flights to New York Newark as well as extending its summer service to Chicago.

Gordon Dewar, Chief Executive of Edinburgh Airport, said: ‘This is fantastic news for Edinburgh Airport and Scotland as we connect our two capital cities for the first time. As Scotland’s busiest airport, we are a leader for international destinations and this demonstrates the confidence of US carriers in the Edinburgh market, standing ahead of other parts of the UK with such strong inbound tourism demand.

‘Our partners at United have seen first-hand the positive impact of flights from Edinburgh to New York Newark and Chicago, and we are keen to replicate that to Washington for both a business and tourist audience. ‘The Scottish economy will also benefit as we open up Edinburgh to a new market and as international passengers continue to soar, we will see a positive contribution to the local and national economy.’

Minister for Transport Humza Yousaf said: ‘This new service between Edinburgh and Washington DC will help to strengthen the important economic and cultural links between Scotland and the United States.

‘The launch of a direct route into America’s capital city is great news for Scottish businesses, giving them better access to important US markets through United’s hub operation. It will also help support our tourism industry by making it even easier for visitors to get a taste of the fantastic experiences Edinburgh, and Scotland as a whole, have to offer.

‘I warmly welcome this announcement and wish Edinburgh Airport and United Airlines every success with this new route. I have no doubt it will prove popular with travellers on both sides of the Atlantic.’

United Airlines launches new Edinburgh-Chicago service

United Airlines will launch its first nonstop summer seasonal service between its Chicago hub at O’Hare International Airport and Edinburgh, Scotland, beginning May 22, 2014.

Subject to government approval, the airline will operate five times weekly from May 23 to June 12, daily from June 13 to September 2, and four times weekly between September 3 and October 6.

The Edinburgh-Chicago flight will depart Edinburgh at 10:25, arriving in Chicago at 13:00 the same day. The return flight will depart Chicago at 18:00, arriving in Edinburgh at 07:45 the following day. Flight times will be eight hours 35 minutes westbound and seven hours 45 minutes eastbound.

First Minister Alex Salmond said the new route would help bring visitors for 2014 events such as the Year of Homecoming and the Ryder Cup. ‘The eyes of the world will be on Scotland in 2014, and, as we host international sporting stars at the Commonwealth Games and Ryder Cup and celebrate another Year of Homecoming, we hope to welcome visitors from across the world, not least from the United States, with whom we share strong and enduring bonds,’ he said.

Bob Schumacher, United Airlines’ managing director sales for the UK and Ireland, said: ‘Having recently celebrated 15 years of operations in Scotland, we’re delighted schedule with seasonal non-stop service to Chicago, United’s home town.

Next year’s Homecoming promotion and Ryder Cup at Gleneagles make it the ideal time to launch these flights, which will offer our customers an increased range of travel choices and opportunities.’

Gordon Dewar, chief executive of Edinburgh Airport, said: ‘We are delighted to have played our part in developing this route with the other agencies and government departments that make up Team Scotland. This collaborative approach works and we look forward to bringing many more international routes to Edinburgh in the coming months.’

The flights will operate using Boeing 757-200 aircraft with a total of 169 seats – 16 flat-bed seats in United Business First and 153 in United Economy, including 45 Economy Plus seats with increased personal space. United currently operates year-round nonstop service from its New York hub at Newark Liberty International Airport to both Edinburgh and Glasgow.

United Airlines Expands London Heathrow to Houston Service

United Airlines, a US based airline, has announced an expansion of its service between London Heathrow Airport and George Bush Intercontinental Airport, in Houston, US.

The airline will be offering a third daily flight from March 31, 2013, with a Boeing 767-300 aircraft. The airline is offering the new flight with six United Global First seats, 26 fully flat Business First seats, and 151 seats in economy, including 67 Economy Plus seats.

The additional flight, UA971, will be departing London at 1335 local time, arriving in Houston at 1810 local time the same day. The return flight, UA970, will depart Houston at 2030, arriving in London at 1205 the next day. The fares for the flights commence at $902 for a return journey.

Bob Schumacher, the airline managing director of sales for the UK and Ireland, said, ‘With strong demand for travel to Houston and beyond via our largest hub, we are pleased to offer customers on the route not only increased schedule options but also the chance to experience our Global First product for the first time.’

The airline is also offering new flights from Chicago, in the US, to Shannon, Ireland, from June 6 to August 26, 2013.

The five times weekly service (UA66) will depart Chicago O’Hare Airport daily, except Tuesday and Wednesday, at 1810 local time and will arrive in Shannon at 0725 local time the following day. The return flight will be departing Shannon every day, except Wednesday and Thursday, at 1100 local time, arriving in Chicago at 1310 local time the same day. The airline will be operating a B757-200 aircraft with 16 seats in BusinessFirst, 45 in Economy Plus and 108 Economy seats on the new route.