Air France Axes Nonstop LAX-London Service

Seems only yesterday we were talking about the benefits of the Open Skies agreement between the United States and the European Union. There were to be new nonstops and new competition across the Atlantic. Now comes word that one of the first fruits of that pact is about to be canned, at least for now.

Air France says, “given the present economic and financial crisis” the carrier is “removing” nonstop Los Angeles (LAX) to London Heathrow (LHR) service from its 2008-2009 winter schedule. The carrier says that move will free up coveted take-off and landing slots at Heathrow, slots that will be used to beef up the New York Kennedy (JFK) to LHR schedule of Air France and SkyTeam partner Delta Air Lines for the Summer 2009 schedule.

This doesn't exactly leave LAX bereft of nonstop service to London. British Airways, American Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, United Airlines, and Air New Zealand (Web site: www.airnewzealand.com) all offer nonstops on the route.

© Cheapflights Ltd Jerry Chandler

Comments

[Patric Barry]

I'm affected by this change of service - all they offer is protection with Delta through ATL - a different level of service entirely.

I'm preparing to request a refund of the flight cost and a flight on different non-stop carrier which I may have to pay extra for.