VisitPittsburgh has welcomed the launch of a new, year-round British Airways’ service from London Heathrow to the American destination with a celebration at the Deck at the National Theatre.

Flight BA171 will operate four times weekly, departing from Heathrow on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, using the airline’s newest aircraft, the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.

Guest speakers at the event included Christina Cassotis, chief executive of Pittsburgh International Airport, Chris Rankin, head of consumer sales for British Airways, and Craig Davis, chief executive of VisitPittsburgh.

In celebration of the inaugural, VisitPittsburgh gave away a four-night stay in Pittsburgh, with two Club World seats with British Airways.