Pittsburgh is Back (On the British Airways Map)

The British are coming – back.

British Airways announced Wednesday that it will resume nonstop service from Pittsburgh to London Heathrow next year, 20 years after the airline departed the region.

During a celebratory press conference, airline officials said Pittsburgh’s dramatic turnaround and diversified economy drew them back and spurred them to launch nonstop service.

“It’s a real barometer of where Pittsburgh is as a city,” said Simon Brooks, British Airways’ senior vice president for North America. “What we see is a thriving city with sustained growth. I’m talking over the last five to 10 years. We know this place is really happening now. It’s just taking off.”

Brooks said the decision to pick Pittsburgh as the next best market was based on many factors.

“This is really an exciting time for British Airways ourselves. We have a lot of new aircraft being delivered this year and many more next year so we’re looking for new destinations and new partners (and) Pittsburgh is perfect for that.

“With so many different industry sectors – there is health care, tech, manufacturing, the amount of universities you have here and the exchange programs – so many compelling reasons for us to fly here. We’re so excited,” Brooks said.

The flight will start April 2 and operate four days a week – Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays – with the flight departing from London Heathrow at 5 p.m. and landing in Pittsburgh at 8:15 p.m., local times. The flight will depart Pittsburgh at 10 p.m., arriving at Heathrow at 10:35 a.m. the following