Zoom zips across the pond

Although many airlines, both budget and traditional carriers, have announced in recent months that they would be introducing transatlantic flights, Canadian budget carrier, Zoom Airlines has beaten them all to the punch.

The low-cost carrier launched its first direct flight from New York to London on Thursday and continues to offer them daily with one-way prices as low as $199 without tax.

Zoom has been providing flights between Canada and the United Kingdom since 2003. Its transatlantic fares are significantly lower compared to the traditional carriers on the same routes. Travel search engine Expedia shows one way tickets from New York to London in the summer with airlines like British Airways and Delta selling around $400.

However one airline expert, Terry Trippler, pointed out some of the flaws in Zoom’s service. Trippler operates a travel club Tripplertravel.com. He said that since there is only one plane on the New York to London route, passengers are more likely to face delays and cancellations when something goes wrong than those who fly with larger airlines.

“Under normal conditions, United (Airlines) or American (Airlines) would be a better deal,” Trippler said.

While the low-cost model for air travel has been very successful for domestic and short haul flights both in Europe and North America, many are also doubtful about its ability to work on longer trips. But Zoom is still alive after four years in that very market.

“We’ve been successful in the Canada to UK (market), so we’re bringing the low-cost, long-haul model into the U.S.,” said David Clements, vice president of sales and marketing.

www.flyzoom.com