The first nonstop flight from Silicon Valley to London was set to depart Wednesday night, marking the debut of a key daily connection for the tech industry.
British Airways will operate daily flights between Mineta San Jose International Airport and London Heathrow International Airport, deploying a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner for the 10-hour, 30-minute trip. The 787, which carries about 220 passengers, has 20 percent better fuel efficiency than similar-size commercial planes, according to the airline.
The partnership with British Airways is expected to provide a $100 million boost to San Jose’s economy, according to the Mercury News.
San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo and British Consul General Priya Guha were expected to attend a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the airport before the flight’s 8:05 p.m. departure.
The flight from San Jose to London will offer connections to 130 other destinations, airport officials said. The San Jose airport hasn’t had a direct flight to Europe since 2001.
