British Airways is to increase flights between London Heathrow and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport for a limited period next year.
The three extra weekly frequencies will add to the carrier’s existing daily service on the route, and will operate on Saturday, Monday and Wednesday in May and June 2017.
The flights will depart Heathrow at 0940, arriving into Phoenix at 1225, with the return leg leaving the US city at 1435, landing back into London at 0830 the following day.
Announcing the move Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton said:
“The current daily flight by British Airways adds $100 million to our economy each year, so this new flight is a welcome addition to that impact and another sign of the strength of our growing market.”
The airport said that “About 120 people travel from Phoenix to London as their final destination every single day, about 80 of whom are on the British Airways nonstop flight”.
“The rest of the 260 passengers on the British Airways 747-400 aircraft are connecting to other cities in the United Kingdom, Europe, Asia and Africa. While those other cities’ travellers help to fill up the London flight, none of the other cities have the robust numbers we see to London.”
British Airways launched non-stop services to Phoenix in 1996, with the current daily service departing Heathrow at 1440, arriving into Phoenix at 1725, and the return leg leaving the city at 1940, landing back into London at 1335 the following day.
