Trans-Atlantic air service returns to Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport today, with the resumption of British Airways service to London. It is the first service across the Atlantic to resume since the pandemic began.
Local tourism leaders are looking forward to hosting international visitors once again.
"In 2019, we had over 100,000 visitors come to New Orleans from the United Kingdom," said New Orleans & Company Senior V.P. Kelly Schulz. "This is a great gateway to Europe for people who are wanting to come to New Orleans."
Before the pandemic, British Airways flew a wide-body Boeing 787 between London and New Orleans six days a week. The resumption of service that starts today will cut that in half to three flights weekly.
Even with the reduced flights, Schulz believes it will help New Orleans tourism finish strong in 2021, and get off to a good start for 2022.
"We'll kick off 2022 with the Allstate Sugar Bowl. We're looking forward to having a more traditional Mardi Gras celebration than we had last year," said Schulz. "We'll move into our spring festival season, men's Final Four."
