Oct. 21--US Airways is adding nonstop seasonal service from Charlotte to four European cities, the company said Monday.
The company will fly from Charlotte Douglas International Airport to Barcelona, Spain, Brussels, Belgium, Lisbon, Portugal and Manchester, England, starting in the spring. US Airways currently flies to those airports from its Philadelphia hub. The Charlotte routes will supplement that service, US Airways said.
The flights from Charlotte to Barcelona, Lisbon and Manchester will begin May 22, the company said, and the Brussels flight will launch June 5. The Barcelona flight will run through October 24, the Lisbon and Manchester flights through September 28, and the Brussels flight through Sept. 1.
US Airways said the new flights bring its total number of nonstop destinations flown from Charlotte Douglas to 38, with 10 in Europe and the rest in North America, South America and the Caribbean.
Executives said the seasonal service would help them meet peak travel demand for European cities, and help boost the company in advance of its planned merger with American Airlines. The Department of Justice has sued to block that merger on antitrust grounds, and a a trial is scheduled for next month.
"Our new flights also help strengthen the foundation for our pending merger with American Airlines by providing more access to a broad network," said Andrew Nocella, US Airways senior vice president, in a statement.
Charlotte mayor Patsy Kinsey and Gov. Pat McCrory also praised the new flights in written remarks, saying the flights would help boost Charlotte's business community.
Flight details
The Barcelona flight will operate on an Airbus A330-200, equipped with US Airways' first class Envoy Suite.
The Lisbon and Manchester flights will operate on Boeing 757s, and and the Brussels flight will use a Boeing 767.
The Barcelona flight will leave Charlotte at 6:35 p.m. and arrive at 9:10 a.m., with a return flight leaving at 2:30 p.m. and arriving in Charlotte at 6:15 p.m.
The Lisbon flight will leave Charlotte at 8:25 p.m. and arrive at 9:20 a.m., with a return flight departing at 11:20 a.m. and arriving in Charlotte at 3:15 p.m.
The Manchester flight will leave Charlotte at 8:35 p.m. and arrive at 9:30 a.m., with a return flight departing at 2:25 p.m. and arriving at 6:20 p.m. in Charlotte.
The Brussels flight will leave at 4:30 p.m. and arrive at 7 a.m., with a return flight departing at 10:15 a.m. and returning to Charlotte at 1:45 p.m.
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