We're
flying to
London!
*
volume 38, number 3
April ^987
First flight takes off June 15
Tklly ho! It’s official: We’re the Up-And-Coming
Airline to Ix)ndon. Piedmont will start nonstop,
widebody service to London, England, from our
Charlotte hub on Monday, June 15.
The final approval came from the Department
of Tyansportation (DOT) on April 23, nine months
after we first jointly filed with the City of Char
lotte for transatlantic service.
"DOT’S selection of Piedmont is directly attrib
uted to the efforts of all our employees who have
provided a quality of service that has enabled
Piedmont to grow and demonstrate the capabili
ties of winning such a route,” Bill Howard, chair
man, president, and chief executive officer, said.
“As we prepare for our new route between
the Carolinas and historic London, 1 know each
of you will take special pride in this major
accomplishment.”
On June 15, Flight 160 will depart CLT at
5:35 p.m. enroute to London’s Gatwick Interna
tional Airport (LOW), marking the beginning of a
new era for an airline whose success since dereg
ulation has been no less than phenomenal. It will
be the only nonstop service to Great Britain from
the Carolinas and the quickest route for many
travelers in Virginia, Tennessee, and other south
eastern states.
The service to LGW, the world’s third largest
airport in terms of international passengers, is
timed to connect with flights to about 20 cities in
Great Britain and Europe, including Birming
ham, Dublin, Manchester, Glasgow, Edinburgh,
Amsterdam, Paris, Frankfurt, and Geneva.
“We’ll provide competitive fares and excep
tional convenience for much of the Southeast,”
Howard said.
“A benefit of our Charlotte hub is that connect
ing flights to London can be made on Piedmont
from many cities in numerous states, with cost
savings naturally associated with single-carrier
service. But in addition. Piedmont will promote
the Southeast as a popular tourist and business
destination for travelers from Great Britain. From
increased tourism to improved access for busi
ness, our London service will benefit the entire
region.”
london Bridge Is Going
Our first transatlantic flight will originate at
TPA. Flight 160 will depart TPA at 1500, arriving
at CLT at 1624. The flight is scheduled to arrive
at LGW at 0640. On the return. Flight 161 will
depart LGW at 1200, arriving at CL7' at 1615. It
will continue to TPA, arriving at 1855.
We will have two Boeing 767-200s in our fleet
when we begin transatlantic service on June 15.
The aircraft seats 210 passengers in a mixed-
class configuration, with comfortable 2-1 -2 seat
ing in business class and 2-3-2 seating in coach.
We will offer in-flight movies, special menus,
amenity kits for each passenger, enough pillows
and blankets for everyone traveling, and wide,
custom designed seats in business class.
Fares on the London route are highly competi
tive, with a wide range of discounted tickets
available. We will offer three basic fare types—
continued page 7
Charlotte agents
wave the Union
Jack, the flag of the
United Kingdom, in
celebration of ap
proval from the
DOT April 23. Hold
ing a banner £in-
nouncing our
upcoming service
are (1 to r) Becky
Hunter, Phil Bare
foot, Billy Gunter,
Carol McCurry,
Terry Fish, Terrie
Lowder, Mike Little
john, Chris Brown,
Terry Shipton, and
Scott Wally.