United Continental Holdings today announced that United Airlines will launch a daily non-stop service from Dublin to its Washington DC hub, Dulles International Airport, on 8th June 2012 (westbound), subject to government approval. Flight CO127/UA127 will depart Dublin at 11.25 and arrive at Washington/Dulles at 14.25 the same day. Return flight CO126/UA126 will depart Washington/Dulles at 22.02 and arrive at Dublin at 09.55 the next day.
“We are delighted to offer our customers non-stop service to Washington DC, in addition to New York,” said Bob Schumacher, United’s Managing Director Ireland & UK. “As well as cutting journey times for travellers between the two capitals, the new schedule will greatly increase the range of options for customers travelling beyond our hubs to destinations throughout the Americas. Our ability to continue offering year-round, daily non-stop service from Dublin to New York while adding a Washington non-stop service illustrates the merger synergies of our expanded network as well as our continuing commitment to Ireland.”
The airline has operated non-stop flights from Dublin to its New York hub, Newark Liberty International Airport, since 1998. United’s Dublin-New York non-stop flight, CO23/UA23, will depart Dublin daily at 09.00 and arrive at New York/Newark at 11.25 the same day. The return flight, CO22/UA22, will depart New York/Newark daily at 19.10 and arrive at Dublin at 06.55 the next day.
Both the services will be operated by Continental Airlines Boeing 757-200 aircraft featuring 175 seats – 16 in BusinessFirst and 159 in Economy.
Following their merger in October 2010 to form the new United, United Airlines and Continental Airlines continue to operate separately pending the new company’s receipt of a single operating certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration, which is expected to happen later this year.
“United is already the only transatlantic carrier to serve all three of the main airports on the island of Ireland – Dublin, Shannon and Belfast,” said Yvonne Muldoon, the airline’s Sales Manager Ireland & Northern Ireland. “The addition of the Washington non-stop service will provide even better access to the USA for Irish travellers, as well as helping bring more US tourists to Ireland.”
Washington DC
As the capital of the United States, Washington DC is home to the federal government and is the fourth largest metropolitan economy in the USA, with steady growth in the areas of education, finance and scientific research that attract businesses worldwide.
The city’s iconic architecture of government buildings, world-class museums and distinctive neighbourhoods draw visitors in their millions every year. Beyond the capital and within easy reach are the states of Virginia and Maryland with their distinctive geography and natural beauty.
Both the Washington/Dulles and New York/Newark flights are conveniently timed to provide connections beyond the hubs to more than 300 destinations across North, Central and South America and the Caribbean. United offers non-stop service to more than 80 cities across the Americas from its Washington/Dulles hub and to more than 100 cities across the Americas from its New York/Newark hub.
Business Class Flat-Bed Seats
The Washington flights, like United’s existing Dublin-New York flights, will offer the award-winning BusinessFirst service, featuring new, flat-bed seats. The new seat, reclining 180 degrees and providing 6 feet 4 inches/1.93m of sleeping space in the fully extended position, is one of the widest business class seats in the air, measuring up to 25 inches/63.5 cm when the adjustable armrest is positioned flush with the seat cushion.
Electronic controls enable customers to easily move the seats to the custom position most comfortable for them. The seat’s features include laptop power, headset and USB plugs conveniently tucked above the customer’s shoulder, iPod connectivity, a 15.4-inch/39-cm video monitor and a privacy shell that allows for seclusion from other travellers.
Other BusinessFirst amenities include gourmet menus and award-winning wines and champagnes. A specially selected and trained corps of Concierges provides individualised pre-flight and post-flight services for BusinessFirst customers at 35 key international airports worldwide.
All seats on the Boeing 757 feature Audio/Video on Demand, allowing customers to choose from up to 40 movies, 60 TV programmes and over 2,000 audio tracks. Once the system is activated by the crew, customers may watch the programming whenever they choose, controlling the programmes with easy-to-use touch-screens to stop, pause, rewind and fast forward. The entertainment system also has 20 video games and an interactive Berlitz Word Traveler programme that teaches foreign languages. AC power ports are available at every seat.
In addition to Dublin, United offers non-stop transatlantic service from Shannon and Belfast (both to New York/Newark).
What is the cost in Euros of flights from Dublin to Washington DC direct on flights commencing in June?
The United website is currently showing $950 (€717) including taxes and fees for an adult non-stop return ex-Dublin on 10th June and ex-Washington DC on 17th June, but this is indicative only for “June” and may vary even for these dates.