AN airline has celebrated its first-ever flight between Scotland and New York as one of its planes landed safely in the Scottish capital.
American airline JetBlue will be offering daily flights from Edinburgh to New York JFK throughout the summer as it celebrated its first landing on Scottish soil today.
The new direct service will connect Edinburgh Airport to New York JFK throughout the summer and ends on September 30.
The service will operate on an Airbus A321neo and flights will depart Edinburgh daily at 12:30am and will arrive at New York JFK just after 3pm.
READ MORE: Glasgow Airport launches free one-hour parking for luggage service
Flights departing New York JFK at 9:20 pm will arrive in the capital at 9:30am.
Gordon Dewar, chief executive of Edinburgh airport, said he is looking forward to welcoming passengers on the new flights from America.
He said: “We are excited to see another new airline and tailfin as JetBlue adds Edinburgh Airport to its fast growing European network.
“Transatlantic travel from Edinburgh has been a real success story and adding more capacity to New York opens up another route for passengers to travel to and from Scotland and the USA, bringing our two countries even closer together.
“It’s always great to see a new airline make its home in Edinburgh and we are really looking forward to welcoming JetBlue’s passengers and our new colleagues to Scotland’s capital.”
Jim Fairlie, Minister for Connectivity, says the new flight service by JetBlue shows the confidence oversea companies have in the Scottish tourism industry.
He said: “I’m delighted to see JetBlue’s new Edinburgh to New York JFK flight take off, as it will help enhance Scotland’s direct connectivity to the US and strengthen important links for business connectivity, exports, and inbound tourism.
“This is the first time JetBlue has served Scotland and it demonstrates the confidence they have in the Scottish market.
“It also strengthens Edinburgh Airport’s case for establishing a U.S. pre-clearance border facility to help make travel more seamless and provide added benefits for Scottish businesses and visitors. I wish Edinburgh Airport and JetBlue every success with the new service, and I am sure it will be welcomed by travelers in both Scotland and the US.”
John Lamont, UK Government Minister for Scotland, added the flights from New York will help to showcase the “uniquely attractiveness” Scotland has as a tourist destination.
He said: "Our relationship with the US is a special one. We welcome hundreds of thousands of visitors to Scotland and the wider UK from North America every year and it’s also our top export market. This new direct JetBlue route from Edinburgh to New York City will really help strengthen links between our two great countries.
“Just last month, I walked down Sixth Avenue with other representatives from the UK Government as part of the annual Tartan Day celebrations in Manhattan, promoting our most important exports - whisky, energy and financial services, and our rich culture.
“This flight route will make it easier for visitors from the US to come and see for themselves what a uniquely attractive destination we have here, while also easing travel for Scottish visitors wanting to explore the Big Apple and beyond.”
Marty St. George, president of JetBlue, said he was also looking forward to the new connection between Edinburgh and New York.
READ MORE: Glasgow Airport forced to change sign after major Gaelic blunder
He said: “JetBlue has redefined transatlantic travel by introducing low fares and great service in markets dominated by high-fare legacy carriers.
“We look forward to connecting Scotland and the Northeast this summer with our award-winning Mint and core service that will bring this signature JetBlue experience to Edinburgh.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel