The Great Value of British Airways Pittsburgh Service

British Airways

IATA/ICAO code

BA/BAW

Airline type

Full service carrier

Hub(s)

London Heathrow Airport, London Gatwick Airport

Year of foundation

1974

Alliance

one world

Air group

AGI

CEO

Sean Doyle

Country

UK

Earlier this year, British Airways announced that it would resume non-stop flights between Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) and London Heathrow Airport (LHR). Service is scheduled to resume on June 3 and will again open many doors at PIT. Airport Senior Vice President, Air Service and Business Development Bryan Dietz recently spoke with Simple Flying about the prospects for transatlantic service.

The Third Coming

British Airways initially returned to Pittsburgh in 2019 after a two-decade hiatus. However, as operations were in full swing, flights were suspended following the escalation of the global health crisis and the resulting travel conditions. Now that the US aviation industry is recovering and tight restrictions are being lifted, BA is ready to restart its transatlantic leap to the Pennsylvania airport.

The PIT has seen a steady recovery following the challenges of the pandemic. Leisure travel was a significant driver of demand as carriers added many new leisure routes to vacation and outdoor destinations. Additionally, business travel continues to recover with routes including United Airlines’ San Francisco service returning to the fold.

In business, British Airways’ return to PIT complements carrier expansions aglobal counterpart Alaska Airlines in Seattle. Overall, traffic is back to around 80% of 2019 levels and the airport expects even more travelers to return to the skies soon amid the busy summer season.

Connect well

The restart of British Airways service to Pittsburgh is an important milestone not only for the airport but also for the site region. Flights have benefits on many levels, from local growth potential to international growth potential.

Dietz told Simple Flying the following:

“We are delighted that British Airways has recognized Pittsburgh’s strong market based on a growing diverse economy. British Airways launched London Heathrow service from PIT in April 2019 which was a massive win for the Pittsburgh area, not only for our corporate base traveling to and from Europe but also for tourists inbound visitors visiting Pittsburgh from abroad. As the pandemic necessitated a break in service, we are delighted to see British Airways return in June. Also, the ability to connect with India is a major benefit to many sectors of our economy, including health technology. The British Airways service will also offer cargo capacity to complement the cargo dynamics we have in Pittsburgh. »

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Dreamliner Opportunities

The PIT-LHR route will operate four times a week on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. In total, the Boeing 787-8 mission is expected to generate more than $50 million annually for the Pittsburgh regional economy. It is therefore not a surprise to see the airport welcoming the return with open arms.

What do you think of British Airways flights to Pittsburgh International Airport? Looking to fly with the Carrier across the pond this year? Let us know what you think of the overall initiative in the comments section.

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