Non-stop from Dusseldorf to Orlando: airberlin’s inaugural flight takes off

Today, airberlin added its new non-stop connection from Dusseldorf to Orlando.

airberlin flight AB 7006 with Captain Peter Hackenberg and his 10 crew members took off right on time at 11 am from the Dusseldorf airport for the United States with 220 passengers on board. The plane is scheduled to land after about 10 hours in the air at 3 pm local time at the Orlando International Airport (MCO).

airberlin's summer schedule includes five weekly flights to Orlando. Starting this coming winter, the number of flights to the city that is known throughout the world for its unique theme parks such as Walt Disney World Resort will be increased to one per day.

Orlando is airberlin's third destination in Florida alongside Miami and Fort Myers. With 21 weekly departures from Dusseldorf and Berlin, airberlin is now the German airline with the most non-stop connections to the Sunshine State and thus also for passengers to Florida from Germany.

'The launch of our new route to Orlando is good news for Dusseldorf as an air traffic hub and for the new airberlin. By including this route, we are implementing a major step of our strategic repositioning and further extending the long-haul routes from Dusseldorf. Overall, we have increased the capacity of our flight schedule to Florida in the past twelve months by 76 per cent, while capacity on our US routes grew by 53 per cent on average. We look forward to bringing business travellers and tourists to Orlando as well as flying even more international passengers to Dusseldorf. airberlin is the new Florida airline', said airberlin CEO Thomas Winkelmann.

'airberlin is focussing on its hub in Dusseldorf. The new route to Orlando is an additional clear signal with which we are very pleased. With regard to North America, airberlin also flies from Dusseldorf to New York City, Los Angeles, Miami, Fort Myers, Boston and San Francisco', said Thomas Schnalke, Spokesperson for the Directorate of the Dusseldorf Airport. 'With its world-famous theme parks, Orlando offers something special for passengers who have planned an exciting trip to Florida. However, Orange County is also in great demand as a business destination for conferences.'

When the passengers on the inaugural flight to Orlando checked in today at Dusseldorf International Airport, they received a surprise present from Walt Disney World. The original Mickey and Minnie Mouse ears increased the approximately 220 passengers' anticipation to visit the number one tourist destination in Orlando and the most magical place on earth. Also enhancing the moment were the airberlin crew, wearing Disney-inspired outfits on-board.

In the current summer season, airberlin will be flying a total of 84 times a week, non-stop, to eight destinations in the US: Boston, Chicago, Fort Myers, New York City, Miami, Los Angeles, Orlando, and San Francisco. The flights will be operated by long-haul A330-200 jets equipped with 19 FullFlat Seats in Business Class and 46 XL Seats in Economy Class. The latter provide passengers with 20 per cent more legroom and the largest seat pitch on long-haul flights in Economy Class.

Plane tickets to Orlando and many other destinations can be booked at airberlin.com, around the clock by calling +49 (0)1806 334 334, or with a travel agent.