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It’s not North, and it’s not fully South, though one of those two thing is in it’s name. It’s now home to a Boeing factory, where 787 Dreamliner planes are being built, and has also become a foodie capitol of the USA. There are other cities that sound like it, but there’s only one Charleston, South Carolina, and it’s British Airways newest destination in the USA.
On April 4th, 2019, British Airways will launch a twice weekly summer flight between London Heathrow Terminal 5 and Charleston, South Carolina. The new flight will be the only direct option between Europe and Charleston. The flight will depart London on Thursdays and Sundays at 17:20, arriving into the city at 21:20. The return flight from Charleston will fly on the same days, returning at 22:50 and arriving just prior to noon in the United Kingdom. Fittingly, the flight will be operated by a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner. Charleston is the home of Boeing’s 787-10 factory, and British Airways will acquire these longer aircraft versions in 2020.
So… what’s the story with Charleston, you ask? Charleston is an incredibly beautiful city, largely preserved with architecture that’s unmatched anywhere in the USA. It’s home to some of the most celebrated chefs and restaurants in the United States and has fast become a destination paradise for weekend getaways, and also for sports addicts. Yes, the famous nearby golf courses, beaches and tennis facilities are exceptional. Condé Nast Traveler has voted it the best small city in America 8 years running.
The new announcement brings British Airways U.S. destination total up to an impressive 29 direct summer flights. British Airways and American have expanded their joint venture partnership and the airlines combine to offer up to 73 daily flights between London and the USA. That’s not too shabby. Charleston joins Nashville, New Orleans and Pittsburgh as new direct British Airways flight destinations.
Bizarre. It’s hard to imagine there is enough paid business class to support all these routes. But what do I know.
AA is actually the one likely to be driving MSY BNA CHS —
http://www.gcmap.com/mapui?P=MSY-CLT-CHS,BNA-CLT-LHR
They all happen to be perfect feeder markets into CLT, AA probably wants to relieve exessively inbound feeder into CLT but either doesn’t have the right equipment or doesn’t wanna deal with the paperwork hassle of transferring the slot from BA, so BA 788 it is.