Accessibility to central London and to other parts of the world improved with Heathrow service. Heathrow is a gateway airport to Europe, the Middle East, Africa and India. Ninety airlines offer service from Heathrow, serving more than 180 destinations in more than 90 countries. It is the world’s third largest airport ranked by passengers. Connecting travel is particularly easier with service on British Airways, American’s One World Alliance partner.
An aviation free-trade agreement between the U.S. and Europe called “Open Skies” went into effect on March 30, allowing new access to Heathrow. Trans-Atlantic flights were previously governed by separate agreements between the U.S. and individual European nations. Airlines were required to take off or land in their native countries and were limited to which airlines could serve certain airports.
With the open-skies agreement, those restrictions are removed, letting the open market dictate trans-Atlantic routes between the United States and Europe. Improved international accessibility for the region also helps market the area to international business and leisure travelers who can now utilize Heathrow.
“There are just slightly more than a dozen cities in the U.S. that can claim nonstop service to London Heathrow,” said Jim Carter, American Airlines Vice President — Eastern Sales Division. “It’s definitely a 'feather in the cap' of any area to be able to say it is a gateway to London-Heathrow. Heathrow is the preferred London airport, especially for business travelers going to London.”
American will continue to fly to London using its three-class Boeing 777 aircraft with 245 seats. Flight 174 departs RDU at 6:25 p.m. arriving in London-Heathrow the next day at 6:55 a.m. Flight 173 departs Heathrow at 11:25 a.m. and arrives at RDU at 2:55 p.m. |
