British Airways is to launch a new service from Heathrow to Austin in Texas from March 2014.
The airline will use a Dreamliner 787 on the route to Austin-Bergstrom International airport (ABIA) which will initially operate five days per week from "early March" before increasing to daily from May 5.
Sean Doyle, BA’s general manager for the Americas, said: “We are very excited to be bringing British Airways to Austin. This new route presents an important opportunity for business growth across the Atlantic, particularly in the thriving technology sector.
“We know that London is among the top destinations for international travel from Austin and equally, Austin is home to some of the most important global cultural events. We are looking forward to providing a convenient and high quality service to new and existing customers.”
BA will fly a three-class 787 on the service with Club World, World Traveller Plus and World Traveller cabins.
The airline will become the first to offer a direct transatlantic service from Austin. BA already flies to Dallas Fort Worth and Houston.
Austin’s mayor Lee Leffingwell added: “Connecting two of the world's great cities, London and Austin, through this first time, non-stop service between ABIA and Heathrow airport is sure to take our city to a new level for both business and vacation travellers."
BA is also increasing its capacity to Accra in Ghana following the decision of Virgin Atlantic to pull out of the route later this month. The airline will add another three flights from the start of the winter 2013/14 season taking its total weekly services to 10.
The carrier is also planning to increase its Heathrow-Seoul service from six weekly to daily from March 2014 while Heathrow-Seattle will rise from 10 to 11 weekly flights for summer 2014.
ba.com