Beginning next spring, Norwegian Airlines will provide nonstop service between the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (ABIA) and London’s Gatwick Airport.

“Just a few years ago, Austin had no direct international flights. Today our community enjoys nonstop access to London, Frankfurt, Guadalajara, Toronto, Cabo, Cancun, Mexico City, and the Dominican Republic,” said Doug Driskill, Chair of the Opportunity Austin Air Service Task Force and Vice President of Americas Commercial Remote Services at Dell Technologies. “This announcement is another critical step forward to improve Austin’s robust business climate.”

Flights will begin March 27, 2018, with a three-day-a-week, year round schedule every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday. Flights heading to London will depart at 4:20 p.m. and arrive at 7:20 a.m. the following morning. Departures from London-Gatwick will leave at 10 a.m. to arrive in Austin at 2:20 p.m.

Flights are now on sale with promotional fares starting at $249 each way from Austin.

“We’re very excited to bring the Norwegian experience to Austin,” said Norwegian’s CEO Bjørn Kjos in a press comment. “This city makes perfect sense as our first entry into the Lone Star state. Austin is one of the fastest-growing cities in America, which perfectly fits Norwegian, being the world’s fastest-growing airline. We see great opportunities with our new route, both in terms of lowering trans-Atlantic fares for Austinites and bringing more tourists and business travelers to the region, which will help support thousands of local jobs.”

Norwegian Airlines will use a Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft that offers passengers spacious seating with seatback entertainment through its economy cabin. Passengers can enjoy more legroom and complimentary meal service through Norwegian’s premium cabin.

“Our economic development team and Air Services Task Force will use this new international direct flight as a way to attract additional companies from London and Europe who are looking to grow jobs in the Austin region,” said Driskill.

The Air Service Task Force, which began as part of the Chamber’s Opportunity Austin initiative, works with ABIA to increase the number of direct US and international flights to Central Texas. The next task force meeting will be held Wednesday, September 20 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Austin Chamber of Commerce boardroom.

For more information on how you can help with Austin’s growing air service demands, contact Drew Scheberle, Senior Vice President of advocacy, education, and talent development.

Pictured (from left to right): Anders Lindström, Director of Communications, Norwegian; Jim Smith, Executive Director, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport; Tom Noonam, President/CEO of Visit Austin; Doug Driskill, Chair of Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce’s Airport Task Force; and District 6 Austin City Council Member Jimmy Flannigan.