British Airways Launches Nonstop Austin-London Flights

Getting from Texas to Europe got a bit easier this week when British Airways launched its inaugural flight between London and Austin.

According to the Austin Business Journal, the flight is the first regular transatlantic service for the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. Up until now, flights to Europe from Austin required a layover in another North American city. The new service will operate once a day back and forth between the two cities five days a week to begin, with daily service expected to launch in May. 

The story also suggests that the route may boost the economies of both London and Austin: The new route is expected to bring an economic impact of $69.7 million for the first year and grow to $74 million annually after three years. 

British Airways' plans will also tie in with a proposed six- or seven-gate expansion to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport included in the airport's new master plan.

Other routes starting in the summer include Hyderabad, Chengdu, Philadelphia and Calgary, as well as Chennai in October.