The newest dot on the British Airways route map is Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International airport in South Florida. Already serving nearby Miami International Airport with twice-daily flights from London-Heathrow, British Airways announced late last year that they would bolster their presence in the Sunshine State with a link from London-Gatwick. The new service would operate three times weekly with a fourth weekly flight added during the peak summer season.
The inaugural flight operated on Thursday, July 6th with Boeing 777-200ER registration G-VIIU. It arrived just after 1:45pm witnessed by dignitaries, guests, and local media. Following the traditional water cannon salute from the Broward County Aviation Department, the passengers deplaned through the G Concourse. On hand to meet the flight were Doug Caines, VP Business Development, British Airways along with Broward County Commissioners; Broward County Aviation Department CEO/Director of Aviation, Mark Gale; and Erick Garnica, Director of International Sales for the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Mark Gale (above) welcomed the visitors and dignitaries to the ribbon cutting ceremony for the departure of the first flight from Fort Lauderdale to London Gatwick noting “Today, FLL becomes British Airways’ 25th destination in the United States, and again we welcome you with open arms.” He added “The airport and the county are investing over $2 billion in this airport to make way for additional expansion, improved facilities, and to provide ultimate guest experience. We are extremely pleased to be here today partnering with British Airways and the Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau. We want to wish British Airways nothing but success on this flight.”
In his remarks, Doug Caines said “British Airways has officially arrived at Fort Lauderdale. Fort Lauderdale is a natural addition to our Florida template. British Airways offers more seats to London than any other airline from Florida. As horizons expand, as they will with this new route, it is British Airways’ dedication to support the new relationships and experiences that occur when we open up a new route. It is our hope that this new route will drive increased revenue and new revenue opportunities to both the business and tourism sector.”
Erik Garnica noted “The CVB and the Broward County Aviation Department have been working for the last couple of years to bring this flight to the destination, so this is exciting times for us. This new service means a boost to our local economy, filling our hotels and restaurants and supporting tourism jobs in Greater Fort Lauderdale.”
The schedule for the new service is:
BA2169 London-Gatwick to Fort Lauderdale departing 9:25AM arriving 1:45PM
BA2168 Fort Lauderdale to London-Gatwick departing 5:00PM arriving 6:30AM the following day
The service operates on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday aboard a Boeing 777-200ER with 40 business class seats, 24 premium economy seats, and 219 economy seats.
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