NEW YORK, September 3, 2013 – British Airways today announced that it will launch a new service between Austin-Bergstrom International Airport and London Heathrow beginning early March 2014. This will be the first regular transatlantic flight for the city of Austin.

British Airways will operate a Boeing 787 aircraft five days a week, increasing to daily flights later in the year. Seats and vacation packages are available for purchase at ba.com beginning today.

The new service will have three cabins, Club World (business), World Traveller Plus (premium economy) and World Traveller (economy). The cabins feature stylish new interiors with state-of-the-art entertainment systems. British Airways provides meals, snacks and beverages, including full service bar for free. Customers can also benefit from a generous baggage allowance.

“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,” said Sean Doyle, EVP Americas, British Airways.

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.”

“As the Mayor of Austin and a former pilot, I could not be more excited about this announcement by British Airways, one of the world’s foremost carriers,” said Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell. “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 travelers.”

This 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.