With British Airways taking delivery of 12 new Boeing 787-10s between 2020 and 2023 it seems appropriate that the airline is to fly to Charleston South Carolina where Boeing has a factory nearby currently building the 787-10 Dreamliner.
Beginning April 4, 2019, passengers will be able to fly from London to Charleston non stop on board the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner.
And we will be among the first to experience this new service
The flights will run on Thursdays and Sundays with BA221 departing from London Heathrow at 5:20 p.m. and arriving into Charleston at 9:20 p.m. that evening.
The return flight BA220 will depart Charleston at 10:50 p.m. and arrive into London Heathrow at 11:50 a.m. the next morning.
Flights will operate from April until October and are already for sale.
Designed to enhance customer well being, the new fuel-efficient Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner operates with a lower pressurisation, reducing the effects of jet lag for passengers.
When configured for British Airways the aircraft accommodates 214 customers across three cabins, with 154 seats in World Traveller (economy), 25 seats in World Traveller Plus (premium economy) and 35 seats in Club World (business).
It has been estimated that the new flights will generate about US$20.2 million in annual economic impact through new spending, job creation and other associated activity. Charleston International Airport is now investing about US$9 million to expand kitchen, customs, and tarmac operations to accommodate the new flight service.
From a boating point of view Charleston, a U.S. Customs Port of Entry has a lot to offer.
The Superyacht capable City Marina in downtown Charleston has been operating since 1994, Only a 20 minute drive from Charleston International Airport, the marina is located in the heart of the city.
It is located on mile marker 469.5 of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway. It features 5,800 metres of linear dock space covering 40 acres of water.
The marina’s Super Yacht Dock extends 466 metres and is the longest free-standing floating fuel dock in the Southeast.
Deep draughted slips feature Cable TV, Free WiFi internet, Shore Power: 120/240 Volts; 30, 50, 100 Amp 3 Phase Shore Power: 208 or 480 Volts and high speed in-slip fuelling
Full-time experienced dock staff maintain a 24-hour security patrol
From here Carolina Marine Group provides cruises of historical harbour in a variety of boats including a beautifully restored Hatterass dating back to 1971.
It is the ideal way to explore harbour. Within a minute of leaving the dock you will begin viewing the historic homes along Murray Blvd and the historic Battery. The trip allows passengers to get up close to the Ravenel Bridge and come along side of the USS Yorktown; pass by Shutes Folly Island and Castle Pinckney in the middle of the harbour.
Did we forget to mention Dolphins? Well, lots and lots of dolphins fill the harbour and make the trip that much more enjoyable
Finally, the yacht passes by the historic Civil War fort, Fort Sumter on the way back to port.