(NORFOLK, VA) September 19, 2006 – CI Travel announced today that tickets for nonstop flights from Norfolk to Kent County, England will go on sale on Sunday, September 24, 2006. People will be able to purchase tickets through area travel agencies, a toll free number or online at HoptoEngland.com. Passengers will both enjoy the convenience of the first nonstop flights from Norfolk International Airport to Kent County England and avoid the hassles at many transatlantic hubs. Currently, travelers must choose between a connecting flight to another location in the eastern United States or a drive to Washington, D.C. in order to board a transatlantic flight. With this new route, travelers will literally be able to get on in Norfolk and get off in England with no connections or layovers.
In addition, passengers on these flights will be the only ones processed through customs and immigration at Norfolk International Airport rather than at the larger hubs where high passenger volume is the norm. Kent International Airport in Manston, England is an un-crowded, user-friendly airport and passengers on these flights are currently scheduled to be the only ones processed at the time of departure and arrival on the England side as well.
Prices for the flights start at $829 per person inclusive of all taxes and gov’t fees. This price is competitive with scheduled service being offered for the same dates in 2007.
In addition to selling flight-only tickets (see second page below), CI Travel is developing packages for vacationers to include flights, transfers, hotel stays, rental cars, and other items. For example, vacationers choosing the 2-City Standard Package will get a standard economy roundtrip ticket, transfers into London, 3 nights in London, a ticket to VisitLondon’s tour bus, transfers to Kent County, 3 nights in Kent and a 3 day rental car which can be returned to the airport before returning home. Prices for the packages will start at about $1600 per person. Also in development are a 6 Night London package, a 6 Night Kent package and a “fly-drive” package (flight and rental car).
The flights are a public charter operated by Monarch Airlines, the UK’s largest independent charter airline, which operates both charter and scheduled flights. Cosmos, also a UK-based company, is handling ticket sales and tour packages for UK visitors to the Virginia area. CI Travel is wholesaling the tickets and vacation packages for US visitors to England, as well as heading up the marketing, branded as HoptoEngland.com.
CI Travel is an employee-owned, $170 million company with 34 years of experience providing high quality travel services. In addition to leisure travel, the company also manages the travel for corporate and government accounts, including all NASA Flight and Research Centers across the country, Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii and the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Headquartered in Norfolk, CI Travel has 212 employee-owners in 32 locations in 10 states and Washington D.C. Both Travel Weekly and Business Travel News have recognized CI Travel as one of the top travel companies in the country. CI Travel has also won the annual “Best of Hampton Roads” awards numerous times. Its web site is www.citravel.com.
Nonstop Flight Times, Dates and Pricing
Flight Times:
Flights Depart Weekly from May 2, 2007 to October 24, 2007
Flights depart from Norfolk International Airport (ORF) at 6:50 PM (EDT) on Wednesdays
Arriving Kent International Airport (MSE) at 7:00 AM (BST) on Thursday morning
Return flights depart from Kent International at 1:30 PM (BST) on Wednesdays
Arriving Norfolk at 4:50 PM (EDT) the same day
Current Pricing:
May June - Aug Sept – Oct
Standard Economy $829 $1199 $919
Economy Plus $899 $1269 $989
Premium Coach $1,059 $1469 $1,169
(These prices are inclusive of all taxes and gov’t fees. Full terms and conditions will be available on www.hoptoengland.com)
How to Book:
Tickets and packages can be booked through travel consultants in Hampton Roads, online at www.hoptoengland.com or by calling a toll free number to be listed in ads or on the website.
Classes of Seating:
Both Standard Economy and Economy Plus are seated in the Coach cabin. There are differences in onboard amenities between classes. The Premium Coach seats are in their own Premium cabin and include larger seats, complimentary alcohol and beverage service, personal video screens with choice of movie, newspapers and other benefits.
