New route makes affordable adventures in British Columbia accessible for Brits.
Icelandic airline WOW air, has announced a new seasonal route from the UK to Vancouver, Canada, starting in June 2019 – making it the first airline to offer low cost, long haul flights to Vancouver International Airport (YVR).
Famed for its natural beauty, nestled between snow-capped mountains and with a bustling sea-port, WOW air’s introductory fare to Vancouver, priced from just £129*, will no-doubt encourage visitors to experience all that the city has to offer.
The inaugural flight will depart from London Gatwick Airport to Vancouver International Airport, via Reykjavík, on 6 June 2019. Flights will operate six times per week, from June – October**, with the transatlantic leg of the journey serviced by the airline’s ultra-efficient A321neo aircraft.
Skúli Mogensen, Founder and CEO of WOW air, said: “We’re delighted to be adding Vancouver to our route network alongside Toronto and Montreal, bringing our total destinations in Canada to three.”
“Vancouver has long been a popular choice for British holidaymakers, but airlift has traditionally been dominated by the legacy carriers. As the first low-cost, long haul airline to service YVR, we hope this route will open up new opportunities for budget-conscious travellers and adventure seekers to experience this striking part of the world.”
Surrounded by deep blue water and picturesque mountains, Vancouver is an adventurer’s paradise. Home to one of the world’s largest green spaces, Stanley Park, set over 1,000 acres, offers a mix of dense forest, formal gardens and beaches overlooking the Pacific. Wildlife lovers can visit Vancouver Island, just a ferry ride away, and discover grey whales, sea otters, grizzly bears, bald eagles and puffins.
During the summer months, temperatures average the mid to late-teens (˚C), perfect for an active holiday.
Launched earlier this year, WOW air will also offer their WOW Premium bundle on London to Vancouver flights. The premium package includes the WOW air Big Seat – a wider seat with a foot rest and 37 inch pitch, priority boarding and Fast Track security clearance when transiting in Iceland, an inflight meal and beverages, two checked bags plus a carry-on and personal items and the ability to reschedule or cancel a booking without incurring a fee.
With daily flights departing from London Gatwick, passengers will be able to connect with the Vancouver service in Reykjavik, which will operate six times per week. The total flight time from KEF-YVR will be 7 hours 55 minutes. The total journey time from London Gatwick will be approximate 14 hours, including stopover.
-Ends-
Notes to Editors:
* Based on the lowest one-way fare on the WOW Basic package, including taxes and charges, booked via http://www.wowair.co.uk. Restrictions and booking/baggage fees may apply. £129 fare from LGW to Vancouver (YVR) is valid on select dates between June and October 2019.
**Flights will operate Mon, Tues, Wed, Thurs, Fri & Sun. (Daily implies every day of the week)
The flight schedule from LGW is as follows:
LGW-KEF: 11.40 – 13.55 (local time)
KEF-YVR: 17.20 – 18.15 (local time)
For further press information, please contact:
Rachel Sewell/Katie Raby/Arabella Halfhide/Charlotte Wright
T: +44 (0) 20 3440 8930
E: [email protected]
About WOW air
WOW air is Iceland’s ultra-low-cost transatlantic airline offering cheap fares, a modern fleet with the lowest emissions and the biggest smile; this is the WOW air promise to its valuable customers.
WOW air flies twice-daily from London Gatwick to Reykjavik. As of summer 2018, the airline will serve 35 destinations across Europe and North America, including London, Washington DC, Boston, Los Angeles, Montreal, Toronto and New York.
Created in November 2011 by Icelandic entrepreneur Skúli Mogensen, the purple airline flies with Airbus A320 aircrafts and Airbus A321/A330 models. WOW air boasts one of the world’s youngest fleets, with an average aircraft age of just 2.9 years.
WOW air was ranked as the 7th best low-cost airline in Europe at the 2013, 2014 and 2015 Skytrax World Airline Awards and was the youngest airline in the top ten.
For more information: www.wowair.co.uk.
