Condor Airlines Begins Non-Stop Service from New Orleans to Frankfurt, Germany
NEW ORLEANS – Today, Condor Airlines officially begins seasonal, non-stop flights from New Orleans to Frankfurt, Germany. This route is the second European service to launch from New Orleans in 2017, returning trans-Atlantic service to the Gulf South region for the first time in more than three decades. Twice-weekly flights for the 2017 season will operate on Wednesdays and Sundays from May 3, 2017, through October 4, 2017, from Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) to Frankfurt International Airport (FRA).With numerous partner airlines, Condor offers flights beyond Frankfurt to over 120 destinations across Europe at very competitive prices.
“Condor’s decision to begin direct service to Frankfurt, the fourth busiest airport in Europe, is of tremendous significance to Greater New Orleans,” said Michael Hecht, President & CEO of GNO, Inc. “Our region will benefit from increased business, tourism and convention traffic, and is now better connected to Europe than in four decades. GNO, Inc. is delighted to welcome Condor, and looks forward to continuing to partner to ensure the flight is a success.”
“I’m thrilled to have yet another non-stop trans-Atlantic flight come to New Orleans,” said Mayor Mitch Landrieu. “Non-stop flights to Frankfurt open a gateway to new international markets that will create jobs and new opportunities. In advance of our city’s tricentennial in 2018, New Orleans is poised for big things as we welcome more travelers from around the world to our world-class city.”
Condor will operate a Boeing 767-300ER with 259 seats in business, premium and economy classes of service on this long-haul flight. All Condor passengers receive complimentary checked baggage, beverages, meals and in-flight entertainment. Condor’s Business Class features reclining seats, a personal in-seat, premium touch-screen entertainment system, power and USB ports at every seat and gourmet, five-course meals with complimentary wine, beer and cocktails. Business Class passengers also have access to priority check-in and business class lounges at most airports. Premium Class features seats with added legroom, leg rests and adjustable headrests, a premium in-flight, in-seat entertainment system with an extended program, USB ports at every seat, premium meals and complimentary beverages.
“This is an exciting time for Condor as we continue to expand our route network in the important transatlantic market,” said Jens Boyd, Director Long Haul & Revenue Management Condor. “We are pleased to bring Condor’s award-winning, three‐class service at attractive prices to New Orleans and the Gulf-South Region. Furthermore, New Orleans, as the birthplace of Jazz, is a very attractive destination for European tourists. We are looking forward to bringing our European guests to this magical city. The demand for flights to the USA is increasing and we are really excited about this year’s new destinations New Orleans, San Diego and Pittsburgh, increasing our US destinations to a total of 11 cities.“
Wednesday flights will depart Frankfurt at 2:05 p.m. and arrive in New Orleans same day at 6:10 p.m., and depart New Orleans at 8 p.m. on Wednesdays and arrive in Frankfurt at 12:45 p.m. on Thursdays. Flights on Sundays will depart Frankfurt at 5:30 p.m. and arrive in New Orleans same day at 9:35 p.m., and depart New Orleans at 11:45 p.m. on Sundays and arrive in Frankfurt at 4:30 p.m. on Mondays. Condor passengers can earn and redeem miles in the Star Alliance Miles and More frequent flyer program and Alaska Airlines’ MileagePlan. One-way fares start as low as $329. Tickets are now available at www.Condor.com and all other online travel sources.
Mark Reis, Interim Director of Aviation, said, “Condor provides a unique service that gives people the ability to travel non-stop to Germany and connecting cities. This is our second European destination to a market that was among our top un-served international destinations. We are excited to help make travel easier with non-stop flights to places people are already going from New Orleans.”
Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser, said, “Louisiana is a destination international visitors want to travel to as evidenced by the 36 percent increase in international visitation to our state in 2015. Germany makes up nearly 10 percent of all international visitors to Louisiana. With the addition of this direct, seasonal Condor flight from Frankfurt, we expect to see that number increase as travel to our great state becomes easier for our international friends.”
Cheryl Teamer, New Orleans Aviation Board Chairwoman, said, “New Orleans is more connected than ever. With this new international flight to Frankfurt, Germany, we continue to expand access to New Orleans for people throughout the world. We are thrilled to welcome Condor and this new service to Armstrong International.”
District D Councilmember Jared Brossett, Chair of the Transportation and Airport Committee, said, “It is a very exciting time at MSY with so much growth in international service in recent years. We are very pleased to welcome Condor to New Orleans.”
Stephen Perry, President & CEO of the New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau,said “The launch of the new Condor Airlines’ flights further enhances New Orleans’ continued effort to attract international travelers from Germany and the more than 120 connecting destinations across Europe. We look forward to sharing New Orleans’ authentic culture and unique traditions with new travelers from around the world.”
About Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) is the primary commercial airport in the State of Louisiana serving over 80 percent of all passengers flying into the state. Armstrong International Airport is owned by the City of New Orleans. The New Orleans Aviation Board (NOAB), an unattached board of the City of New Orleans, oversees the administration, operation, and maintenance of Armstrong International. The Airport has 15 airlines providing service to 57 non-stop destinations, including six international destinations. A new, world-class terminal complex is currently being constructed. The new North Terminal will be complete by February 2019.
For more information, please visit www.flymsy.com.
About Condor
Condor Flugdienst GmbH has been flying its guests to the most beautiful holiday destinations in the world since 1956. The traditional airline is a 100 percent subsidiary of Thomas Cook GmbH. On an annual basis, more than seven million passengers fly with Condor to about 75 destinations in Europe, America, Africa and Asia. The route network of the holiday airline includes over 230 destinations through cooperations with airlines in the destination areas. Condor was merged with the airlines Thomas Cook Airlines UK, Thomas Cook Airlines Belgium and Thomas Cook Airlines Scandinavia in October 2013, to form the Thomas Cook Group Airlines. All companies within the Thomas Cook Group are united under a common symbol: The Sunny Heart. To express their common identity, the aircraft of the Thomas Cook Group Airlines show the sunny heart on their aircraft trails. The sunny heart also shows that Condor is putting its heart into every flight. The fleet of the Thomas Cook Group is comprised of 95 modern and environmentally friendly aircraft, of which 45 aircraft are from the Condor fleet: nine Airbus A320s, seven Airbus A321s, thirteen Boeing 757-300s and sixteen Boeing 767-300s. The aircraft are maintained by the airlines’ own technical companies. The holiday airline has won numerous awards in recent years, including the award for “Service Champion 2016” in the Gold Category.
About Greater New Orleans, Inc.
GNO, Inc. is the regional economic development organization for Southeast Louisiana. The GNO, Inc.’s Mission is to create jobs and wealth in the Greater New Orleans community. The GNO, Inc. Vision is for the Greater New Orleans region to fulfill its potential as one of the best places in the country to grow a company, and raise a family.
More information can be found at www.gnoinc.org.
