Today American Airlines, the world's largest airline and a founding member of the oneworld® alliance, inaugurated its new nonstop service between London Stansted and New York JFK. The flight will be the only transatlantic service from Stansted to New York to offer both business and economy class seats. Hollywood actor, Christian Slater, cut the ribbon at the inaugural ceremony at Stansted Airport this morning.
In August, 2008, American will add a second daily frequency giving passengers a choice of a morning or late afternoon departure from Stansted to New York and an early or late evening departure from New York to Stansted.
The new flight is operated using a Boeing 767-300 aircraft with 225 seats, including 30 Business Class seats and 195 seats in the main cabin. The flight features American's new Business Class designed to give customers more comfort, flexibility and privacy. The fully motorized lie-flat seats in a 2-2-2 configuration, a personal in-flight entertainment device with audio and video on demand, state-of-the-art cabin lighting and sleek, ergonomically-designed overhead bins enhance the travel experience for the business customer.
Speaking at Stansted Airport this morning before boarding the inaugural flight, Maria Sebastian, American Airlines Vice President Sales & Marketing Europe, Middle East and Africa said, "We are thrilled to be launching these new flights from Stansted to New York JFK and beyond. This new service means we can offer our UK customers an even more comprehensive schedule to and from New York giving greater flexibility with a choice of flights from Heathrow or Stansted at competitive prices.
"American continues to invest in the customer experience and customers flying from Stansted will not only enjoy excellent quality of service in the air, but a smooth travel experience on the ground at Stansted and at the new state-of-the-art American Airlines terminal at JFK."
American inaugurated its new $1.3 billion terminal at New York JFK airport at the end of August. With capacity for 12.8 million passengers every year and at more than 1.58 million square feet, the new terminal offers the travel industry's premier international arrival and departure facilities, including two new Admirals Clubs and a new Flagship Lounge. At New York JFK, passengers can conveniently connect to more than 40 destinations across the Americas and the Caribbean on American's extensive network.
At Stansted American is set to begin the construction of the American Airlines Business Lounge in Satellite Two. Scheduled for completion in Spring 2008 and with seating capacity for 48 people, the lounge will feature amenities including a self service bar, cyber café, wireless and wired internet access, restrooms and two shower rooms. Passengers will be able to board their flight directly from the Business Lounge.
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, Stewart Wingate, Managing Director BAA Stansted said, "We're delighted to welcome American Airlines today, to mark the start of a long awaited economy and business link direct to the United States from Stansted.
"This new service not only gives our business and leisure passengers direct access to American's hub at JFK, but also brings inbound tourism and business opportunities direct to the door step of the East of England - which has many historic links to the United States.
"Regional business communities have been calling for further development of our long haul connections so the arrival of American Airlines today, and their convenient connections across the Americas and Caribbean, is set to be welcome news across the region and wider South East."
Keith Brown, Chief Executive of East of England Tourism commented, "North American visitors already visit the region in significant numbers and we are delighted to welcome American Airlines to the East of England. As well as providing excellent links to London it is a major gateway to the wide range of unique attractions and destinations across the region, ranging from traditional picturesque countryside towns such as Lavenham and Saffron Walden to vibrant cities including Cambridge and Norwich."
East of England International welcomed the launch of the service and David Moore, Director of Corporate Development said, "This exciting new service not only connects the two of the world's largest financial centres but confirms Stansted as a major gateway to one of the most important research, development and technology regions in Europe. American Airlines' important investment at Stansted demonstrates the commitment of the world's largest airline to the East of England and we very much look forward to working with the AA team to grow their operations at Stansted and develop more transatlantic routes in the future."
Just 46 minutes from Liverpool Street in central London by the fast and frequent Stansted Express rail service, Stansted airport has become increasingly popular with business travelers based in the City of London or Canary Wharf. In addition to corporate travelers working in central London, American will be targeting businesses local to Stansted and has been working closely with the East of England International (EEI) as well as East of England Tourism (EET) to promote the new service.
Schedules for American's new route are as follows:
| From London Stansted to New York JFK |
| Flight No. |
Departs |
Arrives |
| AA125 |
*10:15 am
|
13:15 pm |
| AA129 |
6:00 pm
(effective August 2, 2008) |
8:55 pm |
|
|
|
| From New York JFK to London Stansted |
| Flight No. |
Departs |
Arrives |
| AA124 |
7:45 pm |
*8:00 am
(following day) |
| AA128 |
9:45 pm
(effective August 1, 2008) |
9:55 am
(following day) |
|
|
*Flight AA125 departs at 09.15 and flight AA124 arrives at 07.00am this week due to clocks changing in UK.
Return Economy Class fares from London Stansted to New York JFK currently start from £259 including taxes and surcharges. Return fares in Business Class start from £965 including taxes and charges. Fares are subject to availability and conditions. For bookings and flight information please call 020 7365 0777 or go to
www.americanairlines.co.uk.
American Airlines now flies from London Stansted, Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester airports and offers flights between the UK and seven US gateways including New York, Boston, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Miami, Los Angeles and Raleigh/Durham.
Christian Slater is currently starring in the play Swimming with Sharks at the Vaudeville Theatre in London which is sponsored by American Airlines.
ABOUT AMERICAN AIRLINES
American Airlines is the world's largest airline. American, American Eagle and the AmericanConnection® airlines serve
250 cities in over 40 countries with more than 4,000 daily flights.
The combined network fleet numbers more than 1,000 aircraft. American's UK web site, www.americanairlines.co.uk, provides users with easy access to check and book fares, plus news, information and travel offers. American Airlines is a founding member of the oneworld® Alliance, which brings together some of the best and biggest names in the airline business, enabling them to offer their customers more services and benefits than any airline can provide on its own. Together, its members serve more than 700 destinations in over 140 countries and territories.
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Note: This press release was accurate at the date of issuance. However, information contained in the release may have changed.
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