Birmingham Airport and American Airlines launch flights to New York JFK
The route will provide nearly 100,000 seats between Birmingham Airport and JFK, and through the American Airlines and British Airways joint business and oneworld airline alliance, will offer a British Airways code share, allowing customers to earn and redeem BA air miles and Avios points.
David Winstanley, Chief Operating Officer for Birmingham Airport said: “We warmly welcome today’s new American Airlines daily service between Birmingham and New York JFK as it provides more choice for people wanting to access this vibrant US destination and has created almost 100,000 extra seats between the two cities.
“American Airlines’ strong route network from JFK also broadens onward connectivity across the Americas and Canada, including nearly hourly connections to LA, San Francisco and Orlando, and international flights down to Buenos Aires, San Paulo and Rio, as well as up to Toronto and Montreal.
“This joint business and oneworld alliance with British Airways also means that we see the return of a British Airways code share to Birmingham, allowing customers to earn and redeem BA air miles and Avios points.”
Last year, American tourists spent around £40m in Birmingham and the Midlands exported £4.8bn to North America, giving a trade surplus of £2.9bn; the largest of any UK region.
David added: “This service will not only help to build on the region’s success in attracting trading with America, but with so many wonderful places on our doorstep such as Stratford-up-Avon, Warwick and the Cotswolds, we’re confident that this new flight will draw in even more tourists and business to the region.”
The American Airlines flight will operate daily, arriving from JFK into Birmingham at 0700 local UK time. It will depart for its return leg at 0900, arriving into New York JFK at 1155 local US time.
The new flights are available via AA.com and BA.com and through travel agents. The service will be operated by a Boeing 757 aircraft with 16 business and 160 economy seats.
Helen Grice, manager at the British American Business Council for the midlands, commented: “The British American Business Council (BABC) Midlands is delighted to welcome American Airlines to Birmingham. The USA is the world’s largest and most competitive economy in the world, it is also the UK’s top export destination. The extra flights will benefit our 2,000 members as well as the Region’s businesses by increasing opportunities for trade and providing more choice when flying to and from the US.”
