INDEPENDENCE AIR has finally taken off (and is yet another name to remember for visitors to the United States). The new budget carrier has been created by Dulles-based Atlantic Coast Airlines essentially to hub out of Washington International Airport. Last week the airline introduced frequent services to Atlanta (ATL), Boston (BOS), Chicago O”Hare (ORD), Newark (EWR) and Raleigh/Durham (RDU). New destinations and departures are planned throughout June, July and August and by 1 September the airline is expected to serve 35 destinations from Washington, with a schedule of 300 daily departures ” making Washington Dulles the largest low fare hub in America. The airline has been launched using 50-seat Bombardier regional jets with the first of 25 Airbus A320s due in the Fall, all fitted with live satellite TV. An innovation, which ABTN hopes does not catch on this side of the water, is the use of pre”recorded cabin announcements by so called ”celebrities”. At least you can switch Wogan off in the car!
http://www.flyi.com