From summer 2016, for the first time, Thomson and First Choice will be operating long haul flights from London Stansted allowing the area’s holidaymakers easy access to the sunshine of Mexico’s Caribbean Coast and Orlando, Florida.
The move to introduce the new routes is part of the UK’s leading holiday company’s strategy to ensure customers across the UK can fly from their local airport and stay at the best hotels in some of the most exciting destinations. The new routes will go on sale on the 23rd April 2015.
Thomson Airways was the first UK airline to fly the state-of-the-art Dreamliner in 2013. The Dreamliner is already revolutionising air travel with advanced comfort and wellbeing features on-board reducing the effects of jet lag which customers flying from London Stansted will now be able to take advantage of for the first time when travelling long haul.
Customers flying long haul Premium Club from London Stansted in summer 2016 will be able to take advantage of exciting new benefits. All Premium Club customers will be granted access to the exclusive airport lounge, where they can enjoy space to relax with complimentary drinks and snacks – the perfect start to the holiday journey. Fast track through security and priority boarding will also be part of the offering when flying long haul in Premium Club with Thomson Airways from London Stansted Airport next summer.
Karen Switzer, Director of Aviation Planning for Thomson and First Choice, said of the move: “We’re excited to be able to extend our long haul offering served by the 787 Dreamliner to customers travelling from London Stansted to two of our most popular long haul destinations from their airport of choice. The introduction of new long haul routes to Orlando Sanford, Florida and Cancun, Mexico for the first time demonstrates our commitment to London Stansted Airport and the local area, and following the success of similar routes across a number of regional airports, we know that the demand is there.
“Expanding access to our portfolio of destinations and hotels is a key part of our overall strategy and we hope that this move will enhance the holiday experience for our customers.”
Andrew Harrison, Managing Director at Stansted Airport added:
“Today’s announcement that Thomson Airways will introduce a new long haul programme to Orlando Sanford and Cancun using the Boeing 787 Dreamliner from Stansted Airport next year is fantastic news.
“This will be the first time an airline has operated the Dreamliner on any flight programme from Stansted and is another step in the right direction for the airport to offer passengers greater choice and to provide better services and facilities.
“I’m sure this news will be very well received by passengers seeking convenient long-haul holidays from the region and we’re looking forward to supporting Thomson as it develops its new long-haul programme at Stansted.”