Welcome to Brand USA's monthly media newsletter with all the top stateside news spanning the next few months. Please include the URL www.VisitTheUSA.com / www.VisitTheUSA.co.uk to entice your readers with more USA adventures.

British Airways announces new routes to the USA from London

British Airways has announced two new routes flying from London to New Orleans and Fort Lauderdale. The New Orleans route will commence from 27th March 2017, operating four times a week from London Heathrow, while the Fort Lauderdale route will operate from 6th July 2017, initially operating three flights per week from London Gatwick. The New Orleans route will be the only non-stop service between Europe and Louis Armstrong International Airport in New Orleans, with tickets available now. Fort Lauderdale will become British Airways' 24th destination in the United States. www.VisitTheUSA.com / www.britishairways.com

California WOWed by daily flights

Low-cost carrier WOW Air has announced it will increase its flight capacities for Los Angeles and San Francisco from spring 2017 to daily services from $179 each way. Currently the airline serves Los Angeles four times a week and San Francisco five times weekly from Reykjavik's Keflavik International Airport. The extra services are a welcome addition ahead of San Francisco's Summer of Love 50 year anniversary, which takes place at the Golden Gate Park in June 2017.

www.VisitTheUSA.com / www.wowair.co.uk / www.50thsummeroflove.com

Hawaii to hold its 75th anniversary of Pearl Harbor

This December marks the 75th anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor that took place on 7th December 1941 during World War II. The Pearl Harbour Anniversary Parade will pay respect to the Pearl Harbor survivors, veterans and active duty military and their families. Held on O'ahu, the anniversary will also include a series of concerts in venues across the island, including the Waikiki Shell and aboard the USS Bowfin ship. www.VisitTheUSA.com/hawaii / www.pearlharborparade.org

Follow the force to Denver

Ahead of the first Star Wars movie turning 40 in 2017, visitors to the Denver Art Museum are set to enjoy the Star Wars™ and the Power of Costume exhibition, running from 13th November 2016 until 2nd April 2017. The “out of this world” exhibition will give visitors a look behind the scenes into the fantasy, marvel and delight of bringing characters in the Star Wars™ universe to life through a dramatic presentation of original costumes. The exhibition will examine the captivating process of costume conception and design for iconic outfits, from Princess Leia's unforgettable bikini to Darth Vader's imposing black uniform, featured in all seven films of the Star Wars™ series. www.VisitTheUSA.com/Denver / www.denverartmuseum.org/exhibitions/starwars   

Route 66 celebrates its 90th birthday

Route 66 is the quintessential American road trip. The iconic journey of 2,448 miles, stretching from Chicago to Santa Monica, will celebrate its 90th birthday on 11th November. Originally designed to be the first trans-continental year-round highway, it connected urban and rural America by crossing eight states and three time zones. Known as the “Road of Dreams”, it symbolised a pathway for migrants from the failing farms of the Dustbowl to easier times in the west and was one of the only U.S. highways to be laid out diagonally. To celebrate Route 66's milestone there are a number of special events taking place, Arizona will host an anniversary party featuring live music and a Route 66 car exhibition at the historic Museum Club and Starlight Lanes Bowling Alley in Flagstaff on 11th November; meanwhile an International Route 66 festival will take place in Los Angeles from 10th – 13th November. Bon Voyage is highlighting its Get Your Kitsch On Route 66 itinerary, specifically tailored for UK visitors wishing to travel back in time and experience the history, people and stories of this epic road. Prices start from £1,952 per person for 14 nights. www.VisitTheUSA.com / www.bon-voyage.co.uk/R66

The U.S. set for celebrations as Thanksgiving draws closer

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, celebrations are taking place throughout the U.S., with visitors set to enjoy warm and welcoming festivities. Highlights include:

• The 90th anniversary of Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade (pictured), held on Thanksgiving Day in New York City. The parade attracts more than 3.5 million people to the city, and features floats, balloons up to five stories tall, Broadway theatre performers, musical acts and a parade down Central Park West and 6th Avenue in Manhattan. The parade is one of the USA's favourite holiday traditions, which is free and open to the public. VisitTheUSA.com/new-york-city / www.nycgo.com / www.social.macys.com/parade
• Holiday Harmony celebrations in Nashville, attracting music fans from across the globe. This November, the famed Grand Ole Opry show is taking place at the historic Ryman Auditorium; while the Radio City Christmas Spectacular (featuring the famous Rockettes) kicks off annually at the Grand Ole Opry House. Also beginning on 24th November, Music City features holiday light tours via the Holly Trolley; along with Nashville's Nutcracker; and dancing lights at Jellystone Park. VisitTheUSA.com/Tennessee / www.visitmusiccity.com
• The 66th annual H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade in Houston. The festival will feature live entertainment, giant balloons and marching bands from across the city's high schools. The festival attracts more than 200,000 parade-goers, who line the route along the South-western city's streets. VisitTheUSA.com/Texas / www.visithoustontexas.com

-ENDS-

Discover this land, like never before VisitTheUSA.com

Brand USA is the public-private partnership responsible for promoting the United States as a premier travel destination and communicating U.S. entry/exit policies and procedures. Established by the Travel Promotion Act in 2010, the organisation's mission is to increase international visitation to the United States while working in partnership with the travel industry to maximise the economic and social benefits of travel. These benefits include creating jobs essential to the economy and fostering understanding between people and cultures. For industry or partner information about Brand USA, visit TheBrandUSA.com.

For information about travel to and around the United States, please visit Brand USA's consumer website at VisitTheUSA.com / VisitTheUSA.co.uk

For further Brand USA, UK/Ireland press information, contact:

Polly Beech / Sarah Barnett / Paula Peralta

pbeech@thebrandusa.co.uk / sbarnett@thebrandusa.co.uk / pperalta@thebrandusa.co.uk

020 7845 6359 / 020 7845 6378 / 020 7845 6383