Glasgow gets another slice of the Big Apple

Scottish tourism is set for an American boost this summer with the launch of Delta Air Lines’ non-stop service between New York-JFK and Glasgow.

Delta Air Lines is offering greater travel choice between the United States and Scotland with the launch of its new service from New York-JFK to Glasgow. Operated daily throughout the summer, Delta’s first-ever Glasgow route is timed to offer American customers convenient connections from more than 60 destinations throughout the U.S. via Delta’s New York hub.

Delta’s Glasgow flight complements the airline’s existing daily seasonal service between New York-JFK and Edinburgh, launched last year. Combined, Delta will offer seats for more than 4,500 customers to fly between Scotland and the United States each week during the peak travel months.

All flights offer fully flat-bed seats in the Delta One cabin and complimentary on-demand, in-seat entertainment for every passenger on the aircraft. Delta’s Scotland flights are operated in conjunction with joint venture partner, Virgin Atlantic.

Frank Jahangir, Delta’s vice president Sales and Affairs, said: “We’re delighted to link New York-JFK and Glasgow, strengthening our network to Scotland and helping boost inbound tourism by flying as many as 37,000 passengers on the route this summer.

“As well as providing extensive travel options throughout the U.S. for customers in the Glasgow area, the new flight will provide more opportunities for American tourists to discover this exciting city for themselves.”

Dr Bridget McConnell, Chief Executive of Glasgow Life, said: “Glasgow Life has been working closely with the team at Delta on a strategic programme of joint marketing communications activity in the US, including the giant digital billboard unveiled in New York’s Times Square last month, to profile the new service from JFK to Glasgow as well as the city’s cultural attractions and its location as the gateway to Scotland.

“North America is Glasgow’s largest international market, with 156,000 transatlantic visits made to the city in 2016 resulting in a boost of some US$98.5 million (£76 million) to the local economy, and this new Delta service presents us with an outstanding opportunity to continue to grow both leisure and business tourism to Glasgow from this key territory.”

The United States is Scotland’s biggest international market. Last year, the country welcomed 600,000 visitors from North America – an 18 per cent increase on 2015. These visitors spent US$830 million (£640 million) – a 40 per cent increase on the previous year.

Malcolm Roughead, Chief Executive of VisitScotland, said: “Delta’s direct service between JFK and Glasgow is a fantastic endorsement of Scotland by one of the world’s biggest airlines and is a huge growth opportunity for Scottish tourism. This new service to Glasgow is well timed to exploit the increased interest in our culture and ancestral tourism among prospective visitors from across North America, where we saw an 18 per cent growth in 2016. This interest continues to grow thanks to a favourable exchange rate, initiatives such as our Spirit of Scotland campaign and Scotland’s Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology as well as the hugely popular television adaptation of Outlander.”

Steven Marshall, head of airline marketing and development at Glasgow Airport, said: “The introduction of Delta’s daily service to one of the world’s busiest hub airports is great news for Glasgow and the wider region and further underlines our position as Scotland’s principle long-haul airport. Routes such as this also enable Scotland to both maintain and increase its global competitiveness. Not only will it play a major role in supporting the country’s growing tourism industry, it will provide Scottish businesses with another direct link to what remains the world’s largest economy.”

Highlights of Delta’s flights to Scotland include:

• Wi-Fi connectivity and seat-back screens featuring Delta Studio™ on demand – more than 300 movies, plus T.V. shows, music and games - at every seat.
• The Delta One™ cabin offering fully flat-bed seats plus chef-curated menus, award-winning wines and TUMI amenity kits featuring products by Kiehl’s since 1851 ®, and Westin Heavenly® In-Flight Bedding, designed exclusively for Delta by Westin Hotels and Resorts.
• Delta One customers enjoy access to the Virgin Atlantic Upper Class Wing and Clubhouse at London Heathrow plus the Delta Sky Club® in Portland International for premium customers
• Delta Comfort+®, offering additional legroom and more recline than in the Main Cabin.
• For passengers 21 and older, complimentary beer, wine and spirits throughout the aircraft.

Notes to Editor:

• The Glasgow Tourism & Visitor Plan to 2023 has set out ambitious plans to grow the city’s tourism economy by attracting one million more overnight visitors over the next seven years. http://glasgowcitymarketing.com/tourism-and-visitor-plan/ 
• The US has been identified as the leading international tourist market for Glasgow in terms of volume and value.  
• Further destination information on Glasgow can be found at www.peoplemakeglasgow.us