NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
British Airways today announced that from March 27, 2016, customers in San Diego will be able to fly to London in First class, as the airline introduces its larger, four cabin Boeing 777-300 on to the route. British Airways began daily services between San Diego International and London Heathrow in June 2011.
The new aircraft will be able to accommodate 297 customers – 14 in First, 56 in Club World (business class), 44 in World Traveller Plus (premium economy) and 183 in World Traveller (economy). This is an increase of 24 seats a day from the current Boeing 777-200 operating between the two cities.
Simon Brooks, British Airways’ Senior Vice President, North America, said, “We’re really pleased with how our San Diego service is performing and are delighted to introduce our First cabin into the market. Our exclusive First class cabin is well known for its exceptional comfort, fine wines and a la carte dining, and of course, our quintessential British service. I know it will be very popular with our customers.”
“We’re thrilled that British Airways has decided to increase the aircraft size on its popular London – San Diego route,” said Thella F. Bowens, President/CEO of San Diego International Airport. “The larger aircraft will now include a First class cabin in addition to the normal business, premium economy and economy cabins. This means the flight will provide the most options for both business and leisure travelers to connect in comfort.”
Premium First Experience
The new First cabin has 14 suites that are based on classic design and discrete luxury. Features include:
-Individual seats that turn into a 6 ft. 6 in. fully flat beds with a simple twist of a button
-Signature turn down service includes a luxurious quilted mattress, crisp white cotton duvet and pillow, along with pajamas and luxury amenity kit
-A personal closet and leather-bound writing desk that converts into a dining table
-A la carte dining and a buddy seat to enable customers to dine together
-Lighting and electronic blinds that can be modified to reflect mood and time of day
Enhanced Entertainment
Customers can enjoy on-demand seat-back entertainment, with more than 1,600 hours of programing. With 130 movies and 650 TV shows from around the world along with an extensive audio selection, British Airways is catering for every taste. The “Mindfulness For Travel” video series has been created exclusively for British Airways and the advanced personal inflight entertainment system features well being exercises, therapeutic audio playlists and a Flying with Confidence video.
Last month British Airways added a fourth city to its California roster when the airline announced that it will launch the first nonstop flight between San Jose and London, beginning May 4, 2016.
Airline Benefits
A joint business agreement between American Airlines, British Airways, Iberia and Finnair provides a more seamless customer experience on routes between North America and Europe. Members of the AAdvantage, Executive Club, Iberia Plus and Finnair Plus programs can earn points or miles on codeshare flights across all the airlines. For more information visit www.flytransatlantic.com
British Airways Vacations offers a range of flight+hotel and flight+car packages, as well as sightseeing tours, city passes, theatre tickets, around the world to suit all budgets. With a deposit of $10 per person customers can lock in a price for 72 hours, giving them time to confirm details with their friends and family and making it even easier to book with confidence.
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BizAir calls it quits
Nonstop air service between Carlsbad and Las Vegas has abruptly ended, a little more than a month after BizAir Shuttle debuted the new flights.
McClellan-Palomar Airport Manager Olivier Brackett confirmed Thursday that it had been advised a day earlier by the airline that it was ceasing all operations. The cancellation of flights to Vegas follows an earlier decision in August by BizAir to end its short-lived, twice-daily flights to Los Angeles International Airport.
BizAir had been offering nonstop service between Carlsbad and Las Vegas three times a week on Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays, and had flown its last flight on Sunday.
“Demand for the Los Angeles flights was very poor,” Brackett said. “The demand for Las Vegas was better, but I guess it just wasn’t enough to sustain it. It’s very unfortunate for the public because we get a lot of phone calls asking for service to Vegas.”
Officials with BizAir, a public charter operator, did not respond to requests Thursday for comment. Its website continues to advertise nonstop flights to Las Vegas, with fares starting at $99 one way, but they are unavailable. At the time BizAir made its June announcement of the new air service, Ricardo Gomez, director of operations and development, said the airline was “excited to bring the people of Carlsbad our tradition of convenience and uncompromising service with no extra fees.”
Chris Jones, a spokesman for McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas, said that BizAir had informed its airport ground handler only that it was canceling flights scheduled for Thursday, Friday and Sunday.
“Originally they had told us they were going to begin service July 6 and initially it would be daily service, but by the 30th, it had gone to three times a week,” Jones said.
Carlsbad resident Erik Staley had booked a flight to Vegas for a late October leisure trip but received an email Thursday from BizAir that it was refunding his booking because it was canceling the flights.
“We have the need for that (air service) because there are those of us in Carlsbad who don’t like the sometimes difficult drive to San Diego where the parking has become more expensive,” said Staley, who had paid $169 each way for the flights. “I’m willing to pay a little more to fly out of Palomar which is 5, 10 minutes away from where I live.”
BizAir’s initial service to Los Angeles had been intended to replace flights formerly operated by SkyWest, which had been offering the commuter service since 1998. They were eliminated as the airline moved to a new fleet of jets that could not land on the airport’s short runway.
The San Diego Union-Tribune