26 March 2009

Heathrow gains new Seattle service

New flights between Heathrow and Seattle are to be introduced by Icelandair this summer.

The service will go via Reykjavik, giving passengers the option of an Icelandic stop over at no extra cost.

A connection from Manchester to Seattle will also be available, but will require an overnight stopover in Iceland.

Four London departures a week are to run from July 22 on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays leaving London at 13.00 and arriving at 16.45 in Seattle local time.

Working in co-operation with Alaska Airlines, the arrival allows for onward connections to destinations in the western US and Canada, including Anchorage, Calgary, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco and Vancouver.

Return flights depart Seattle on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays at 15.30, arriving in London at 11.45 the following day.

The carrier will use 183-seat Boeing 757 aircraft on the route in a three class configuration.

Despite the current economic climate, the Seattle service is considered an opportunity to provide customers with a new destination and cost-effective way to travel to the western United States and Canada, according to the airline.

"One could say the launch of the Seattle service smells like Viking spirit," said UK and Ireland general manager Hjorvar Saeberg Hognason.

"With its accessible nature, active lifestyle and music scene, Seattle is a very similar destination to Iceland. We believe both are growing destinations waiting to be explored.

"And with the option of the Iceland stopover, we hope that passengers will consider combining Seattle and Iceland to make a unique holiday."

In addition to Seattle, Icelandair also provides service to Reykjavik and six North American gateways: Boston, Halifax, Minneapolis-St. Paul, New York City, Orlando and Toronto.