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Houston Airport System
November 15, 2007
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Joining the likes of British Airways, Continental Airlines today announced it will launch twice-daily nonstop flights to Heathrow from Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) beginning on March 29, 2008.
Earlier this year, the United Kingdom’s largest airline had announced they would also begin operating out of London’s Heathrow Airport on March 30th of 2008. Both new services are the result of the recently approved open skies agreement between the United States and the European Union.
Said agreement, allows foreign-owned airlines to fly into Heathrow airspace for the first time in history, as opposed to landing at Gatwick Airport. Passengers who traveled from the US to Gatwick traditionally had to board a bus and be transported to Heathrow Airport to make their connecting flights.
The new routes will avoid this dilemma, although flights to Gatwick Airport will continue.
"At last we will be able to give our customers something they have long requested -- the opportunity to fly to both London's main airports with their preferred airline," said Larry Kellner, Continental's chairman and CEO.
"At the same time, we will be able to show transAtlantic travelers already using Heathrow what they have been missing. We look forward to the chance to compete at Europe's most important business airport." |
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Open Skies. And more travel options for passengers at Bush Intercontinental. |
Continental's Heathrow flights will be operated using two aircraft types: the 283-seat Boeing 777-200, carrying 48 passengers in the BusinessFirst cabin and 235 in coach, and the 174-seat Boeing 767-200ER, with 25 BusinessFirst seats and 149 coach seats.
British Airways will operate its twice-daily flights to Heathrow using a Boeing 777 aircraft. Airline officials do note, however, they are prepared to increase their capacity and flights in accordance with their passengers needs.
“If the demand exceeds the capacity, the natural progression would be to replace the 777 aircraft with 747s and then maybe an additional flight,” says John Lampl, spokesperson for British Airways.
Either way, officials at the Houston Airport System see the additional travel options as an added amenity for travelers.
“All of us at the Houston Airport System are very pleased to learn about British Airways’ and Continental Airlines’ new nonstop London Heathrow services,” Rick Vacar, director of aviation, says. “Heathrow is Europe’s largest gateway and offers a number of advantages for Houston’s travelers.”
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