Nonstop flights to London coming this April

In case you missed the news, yesterday, Charleston International Airport announced their partnership with British Airways, which will result in nonstop air service between London’s Heathrow Airport (LHR) + CHS. This marks the first transatlantic commercial route from the state. In previous years, 2015 being the latest, there briefly were international flights to Toronto, Canada.

Image provided by Charleston International Airport

British Airways will offer the flight twice a week– on Thursdays and Sundays– beginning April 4, 2019, and running through Oct. 24, 2019. Tickets– prices to be determined– go on sale today.

Here’s what we know so far:

Up to 214 passengers (across three classes) will fly on a Boeing 787-800– like those assembled on the North Charleston campus.
The flight will take an average of 8-9 hours.
$20.2 million per year is the estimated economic impact to be generated by the new flight through additional spending, job creation, + other associated activities.
£1.4 million in community incentives (in season one alone) are supporting the route + its marketing. The package is receiving said assistance from the South Carolina Department of Commerce; the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism; Charleston County; and Explore Charleston.
Charleston International Airport will invest ~$9 million to expand its kitchen, customs, + tarmac operations. (While this will accommodate the new service, it is also being used as a marketing strategy to attract future long-haul destinations).

Why London?
Across the tri-county area, there are 143 companies that are headquartered in London or Europe. With Heathrow Airport being considered a jumping off point for most travelers, the partnership strengthens the connection to the 130+ destinations in Europe, Asia, and beyond that British Airways offers from LHR. Last year alone, ~110,000 people flew from CHS to Europe, equating to ~2,100 international travelers per week.

While the flight is currently only scheduled to occur twice weekly, the business model developed could increase to five flights per week during the summer season and four flights per week year-round– dependent on demand.

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What are your thoughts on the new international destination? Are you already packing your bags or saying “bug off”? Let me know in a response to this email.

Personally, I have never been to London. But with a new royal baby on the way this spring and a chance to run through platform 9 ¾ to Hogwarts, you better believe my passport is about to get a new stamp

– Nicole