AUSTIN, TX  March 4, 2014— British Airways successfully completed its first nonstop flight Monday, March 3rd from London Heathrow to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AIBA). The service started just in time for overseas visitors to enjoy SXSW® Music, Film, and Interactive Conferences and Festivals. 

"We're ecstatic that British Airways decided to add nonstop service between London and Austin. It shows that they see the future potential for this marketplace as the epicenter of central Texas," said Bob Lander, President and CEO of the Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau. "Visitors from the UK currently represent our top overseas market and we know that this flight will help us increase that number. Additionally, the Heathrow gateway allows us to open up our destination for both leisure and business travelers from EU markets like Germany, France, and the Netherlands."

The Boeing 787 aircraft Dreamliner was greeted with several aviation enthusiasts waiting to capture the historical landing on film; a press conference by Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell and a lively gate celebration sending off the inaugural passengers. 

“As the Mayor of Austin and a former pilot, I am excited to have British Airways, one of the world's foremost carriers, create this trans-Atlantic link.  This first time, nonstop service between ABIA and Heathrow Airport is sure to take our cities to new levels for both business and vacation travelers,” said Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell.  “We look forward to a great and growing relationship between Austin, British Airways, and London.”

The new route marks British Airways' third destination in Texas, with the airline also serving Houston and Dallas-Fort Worth.  Business and leisure travelers will fly into the modern Terminal 5 at Heathrow Airport with fast connections to the city or easy transfer to onward destinations in Europe, Asia and Africa.  American Airlines customers will be able to 'earn and burn' frequent flier miles on the new service as part of the joint business agreement between the two airlines.

The London –Austin nonstop service will be available five days a week, increasing to daily flights in May.  Seats and vacation packages are available for purchase at ba.com.

About Austin CVB

The Austin Convention & Visitors Bureau is the official destination marketing and sales organization for the City of Austin.  An accredited member of the Destination Marketing Association International, Austin CVB is charged with marketing Austin nationally and internationally as a premier business and leisure destination, thus enriching our community's overall quality of life. Locally, travel supports an estimated 50,000 jobs and pumps more than $6 billion into Austin's economy About British Airways

British Airways, part of International Airlines Group, is one of the world's leading global premium airlines and the largest

international carrier in the UK.  The carrier has its home base at London Heathrow, the world's busiest international airport and flies to more than 70 different countries.  In 2012 the airline carried more than 37 million customers.  The airline currently has a fleet of more than 270 aircraft.  For more information visit www.ba.com About Austin-Bergstrom International Airport

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport served a record 10 million passengers in 2013 and traffic has increased 6% year-to-date.  Austin's airport has nonstop service to 41 destinations and is home to 13 airline carriers.  Austin-Bergstrom generates a $2.4 billion economic impact to the Austin area annually and is entirely self-sustaining, generating its own revenue to cover its operating costs. 

For more information, visit http://www.austintexas.gov/airport.

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