Delta Air Lines will launch today its new nonstop flight between New York’s John F. Kennedy airport and Edinburgh, Scotland. The new year-round service extends Delta’s U.K. network into Scotland.
VisitScotland statistics estimate that the new flight has the potential to bring an additional £23 million to the Scottish tourism industry in one year alone.
According to Scottish government data, the U.S. is the number-one inbound tourism market to Scotland, with nearly half a million visitors in 2014 – an increase of 100,000 compared to the previous year. Overall tourism expenditure in the country stood around $14 billion in 2014.
“Scottish tourism punches above its weight on the world stage, and this new Delta Air Lines service from New York to Edinburgh will be another fantastic boost, strengthening our connectivity in the North American market by unlocking Delta’s vast domestic network,” said Malcolm Roughead, Chief Executive for VisitScotland.
Delta’s New York to Edinburgh service will initially be operated using a 163-seat Boeing 757-200ER, with a larger 210-seat widebody Boeing 767-300ER during the summer months, effective June 8, 2016. Beginning September 5, 2016, the 757-200ER will operate on the route.
All flights from New York to Edinburgh will be equipped with Wi-Fi, allowing customers to stay connected at 30,000 feet, in addition to complimentary on-demand in-flight entertainment in all cabins. Movies and TV shows can also be downloaded to tablet and laptop devices.
