Delta Doubles Down on Edinburgh and Boston Service This Summer
by Daine Taylor
Delta Airlines is teaming up with Virgin Atlantic to offer twice as many flights between Scotland and the U.S. Photo: Delta Airlines
This summer, travelers wishing to go to Scotland will have more options than ever before. Delta Airlines will begin offering twice as many flights to Edinburgh by adding a new service at Boston’s Logan International Airport, starting on May 24.
The seasonal Boston route will offer customers more travel options, with two flights every day during the peak summer months. This addition will complement the airline’s existing daily service connections to New York-JFK.
“Boston is our fastest-growing international hub, and a daily service from Edinburgh in addition to our New York-JFK route responds to increased demand for travel to the U.S. and provides greater choice when it comes to planning trips for business or pleasure,” said Roberto Ioriatti, Delta’s vice president of Trans-Atlantic operations.
“More American tourists visit Scotland than from any other country — over half a million in 2017 — and with more than 2,000 extra seats each week between the U.S. and Edinburgh, Delta will help increase visitor numbers, contributing to the local economy.”
Last year, Delta announced its longest-ever season between Glasgow and New York will operate during the summer months, with over 9,000 extra seats available between the two cities over the peak season.
“We’re absolutely delighted that Delta is expanding its network in Scotland, which will strengthen links with our biggest international market,” said Malcolm Roughead, chief executive of VisitScotland.
”It is particularly exciting that this new service from Boston to Edinburgh will open up opportunities for the Scottish tourism industry to engage with a new area of the USA which could build on both Scotland’s leisure and business markets.”
The 163-seat Boeing 757-200ER aircraft traveling between Edinburgh and Boston will offer 16 fully flat-bed seats in the Delta One business class cabin, in-seat entertainment for every passenger, WiFi access, and free mobile messaging.
The new Boston service will also operate in conjunction with Delta’s joint venture partner, Virgin Atlantic, significantly boosting the network of both airlines in Scotland.
Both Delta and Virgin Atlantic will jointly offer up to 25 weekly flights from Scotland to the U.S. this summer, signifying a 25% capacity increase compared to last year. The airlines’ shared network includes daily flights from Edinburgh to Boston and New York-JFK, operated by Delta; up to four weekly flights from Glasgow to Orlando, operated by Virgin Atlantic; and daily service from Glasgow to New York-JFK, operated by Delta.
“Direct air links to the United States of America play an important role for Scotland’s economy, so I warmly welcome the announcement of this new service between Edinburgh and Boston,” said Michael Matheson, cabinet secretary for transport, infrastructure and connectivity, in Scotland.
“Not only will this give Scottish businesses a direct route into important North American markets, but it will also give inbound visitors even more options when it comes to getting a taste of the world-class tourism experience on offer in Scotland. I wish Edinburgh Airport and Delta every success with this new service and look forward to it taking off next year.”
