Manchester to Boston ‘weekender’ takes off for Thomas Cook

Thomas Cook Airlines’ inaugural flight to Boston took off yesterday, marking its latest milestone as the biggest long haul carrier from Manchester.

The Boston Weekender programme, which runs twice a week throughout June to the middle of September, will take culture vultures and explorers for a long weekend to one of the US’s most historic cities.

At the inaugural flight celebrations, customers were treated to a US-themed check-in experience and a taste of Boston’s own Samuel Adams beer and burgers at the departure gate. A fun baseball simulator added to the amazing buzz among customers on the first flight.

Thomas Cook’s Chief Airlines and Hotels Officer, Christoph Debus, said: “When we launch our new routes, we really go big for our customers and Boston is no exception. This route opens up great new possibilities for our customers to enjoy long weekends in one of the America’s greatest cities.

“The three-night stay is short enough to dodge jet-lag, the city is close enough for a long weekend; it’s affordable even in Premium class; and our £100M refurbished interiors are comfortable enough to rest on the way back home to work – even our specialist cats testing team think they’re great.

“This is our second inaugural flight to the US route in May, with our Los Angeles programme now four weeks old and our schedule for Boston makes it ideal for a long weekend.

Thomas Cook is now the largest long-haul carrier from Manchester Airport offering ‘a choice of  the best US leisure destinations for holiday makers in the north.’   

Stephen Turner, Commercial Director at Manchester Airport, said: “We are absolutely delighted today to see Thomas Cook Airlines’ inaugural flight to Boston leave from Manchester Airport, the UK’s global gateway for the North.

“This route makes Manchester the only UK airport outside of London to offer a direct service to Boston, and offers our 23.5m annual passengers easy access to the USA.

“Further, more it showcases the role Manchester Airport plays in UK aviation, offering a wealth of long haul destinations, which no other UK airport outside of London has.

“I am sure this route will be a success and hope all the passengers on the first flight have a great trip to the USA.”

Direct flights to Boston from Manchester Airport depart on Monday afternoons and Friday mornings, with inbound flights to the UK landing early on Tuesday and Saturday mornings.