PITTSBURGH – The British are coming – back.
British Airways announced Monday that year-round nonstop service between Pittsburgh International Airport and London Heathrow Airport will resume June 3, 2022, restarting a key route for the region.
The flight will operate once again four days a week with service on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays departing from London Heathrow at 4:45 p.m. and landing in Pittsburgh at 7:50 p.m. The return flight will depart Pittsburgh at 9:50 p.m., arriving in London at 10:10 a.m. the following day. Tickets are available to purchase on ba.com starting today.
After a 20-year hiatus, British Airways resumed service to Pittsburgh in 2019. The flight operated successfully for a year before pandemic-related travel restrictions led to the flight’s suspension in 2020. The flight is expected to generate more than $50 million annually to the Pittsburgh regional economy.
“We cannot wait to bring back our Pittsburgh route next summer,” Marie Hilditch, British Airways’ Head of North America Sales said. “Today’s announcement is an exciting moment for customers wanting to plan ahead next year – to take a much-needed holiday or visit family and friends after a long time apart.”
British Airways has introduced a number of measures to enhance the safety and wellbeing of its customers and crew. These include social distancing, the wearing of facemasks and hand sanitizer stations. The airline is cleaning all key surfaces including seats, screens, seat buckles and tray tables after every flight and each aircraft is completely cleaned from nose to tail every day. The air on all British Airways flights is recycled once every two to three minutes through HEPA filters, which remove microscopic bacteria and virus clusters with more than 99 percent efficiency, equivalent to hospital operating standards.
Similarly, PIT’s Safe Travels initiative commits to the highest in public health and safety standards. The initiative, in accordance with guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, outlines best practices for keeping travelers healthy. COVID-19 testing options are available at PIT both pre- and post-security through Tackl Health.
“This flight is a big deal for our region, and we are so pleased to welcome British Airways back. I thank them for recognizing our regional renaissance and demand for nonstop service to London,” said Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald. “The business and leisure connections between Pittsburgh and the U.K. are numerous and this flight will be an economic driver for both markets.”
Customers will be able to fly to London on one of the newest aircraft in British Airways’ fleet, the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner. The Dreamliner was built, in part, using technology and parts developed by major Pittsburgh companies ATI and PPG. The aircraft will feature 214 seats in a three-class configuration and will have the ability to serve air cargo which will further support the growing international logistics development in Pittsburgh. Travelers will also have the opportunity to connect quickly and easily onto one of more than 100 destinations to which British Airways flies in Europe, India, and Asia.
“The economic benefits provided by nonstop service between London and Pittsburgh are far-reaching,” said Pittsburgh International Airport CEO Christina
Cassotis. “We’ve said all along that it’s important that this flight succeeds, and we’re thrilled for a 2022 return during the busy summer travel season. Thank you to British Airways for continuing to recognize that the Pittsburgh region is back. We are looking forward to working together.”
About Allegheny County Airport Authority:
Allegheny County Airport Authority, which manages Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) and Allegheny County Airport (AGC), is committed to transforming Pittsburgh’s airports to reflect and serve the community, inspire the industry, and advance the region’s role as a world leader. PIT was named by Fast Company magazine as One of the Most Innovative Companies in the World as well as a finalist in its World Changing Ideas awards, both in 2020. The airport’s Safe Travels initiative commits to the highest in public health and safety standards in the airport industry. The initiative, in accordance with guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, outlines best practices for keeping travelers healthy. For more information, visit www.flypittsburgh.com.