American Airlines launches nonstop flight from Phoenix to London
Apr 1, 2019, 6:55 AM | Updated: 10:28 am
(City of Phoenix Photo)
(City of Phoenix Photo)
PHOENIX — American Airlines launched its nonstop flight between Phoenix and London on Sunday.
Phoenix officials gathered at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport to welcome to first flight in from London’s Heathrow Airport.
“This is a really exciting day in Phoenix and in Arizona, because it’s the first time that American Airlines has ever flown a nonstop flight over the ocean,” Debbie Ostreicher, assistant aviation director at the Phoenix airport, told KTAR News 92.3 FM on Sunday.
“This flight came in from London’s Heathrow Airport today and landed in Phoenix and turned around and went back, nonstop, Phoenix to London.”
Today we welcome @AmericanAir’s first nonstop flight from London. #flyphx #AAPHXLondon pic.twitter.com/UsYxJXZ6Ie
— PHX Sky Harbor (@PHXSkyHarbor) March 31, 2019
The year-round flight will use the Boeing 777-200ER, which fits 273 people and offers three classes of service: business class, premium economy and main cabin service.
The daily flight leaves London at 9:30 a.m. and arrives in Phoenix at 12:30 p.m., then leaves Phoenix at 3:10 p.m. and arrives in London at 9:25 a.m.
Ostreicher said a high demand for travel between Phoenix and Europe led to the introduction of the flight.
She said the flight from London to Phoenix was full on Sunday and carried several Phoenix officials who were attending meetings in England.
Partners American Airlines and British Airways now offer a total of 14 flights to London per week out of the Phoenix airport.
“This is really exciting, not only for our community and for our state, but the entire region,” Ostreicher said.
KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Julie Levin contributed to this report.
