New budget flights from Edinburgh and Belfast to the US

Low-cost airline Norwegian have given potential transatlantic travellers in Scotland and Northern Ireland a boost after unveiling direct flights to the US from Edinburgh and Belfast.

The routes, which will fly to New York and Boston, will offer non-stop travel to the US from the cities for the first time since a daily service from United was scrapped. It also means a potentially cheaper ticket than British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and Delta Air Lines currently offer elsewhere.

Five flights a week

The new routes will both launch in the summer and will operate up to five times a week. The costs are being kept low by using outlying airports Stewart International in Newburgh, which is 70 miles north of New York City, and T.F. Green Airport in Providence Rhode Island, which is 60 miles from Boston.

Edinburgh will also link with a third destination, Bradley International Airport near Hartford, Connecticut, starting in June.

Crucial transatlantic links

Norwegian’s chief executive Bjorn Kjos said expressed his delight at being able to offer the new routes in order to provide much-needed transatlantic links at affordable prices.

“The cost of transatlantic travel has been too high for too long, so by connecting Northern Ireland with smaller US airports we can offer some truly affordable fares,” he explained.

More long haul destinations are expected as part of the carrier's expansion plans. Flights to South America are expected to be launched by 2018 and a new company, Norwegian Air Argentina, has been established to explore potential opportunities in the South American market too.

Norwegian’s Icelandic rival WOW Air, which already flies to seven North American cities, is also looking further afield to South America, Africa and Asia. These developments mean that low-cost long haul travel looks likely to see many exciting changes with the prospect of cheaper flights for Brits looking for more distant destinations.

If you’re thinking of travelling abroad this year, be sure to organise Long-Haul Travel Insurance in advance.

Date Created: 28/02/2017