Airline News

Say wow to new nonstop flights from DFW Airport to Iceland

WOW is right, check out that signature color.

Photo courtesy of Wow

A groovy new airline flying nonstop to Iceland is coming to Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) International Airport in 2018. The catchy WOW air will offer non-stop access to Reykjavik, Iceland, with flights going out three times per week on a seasonal basis. WOW air will be the 16th international carrier to serve DFW International Airport.

DFW Airport CEO Sean Donohue says in a release that the airport is pleased to offer another nonstop trans-Atlantic destination, but especially Iceland. "Reykjavik is a popular tourist destination, a growing market for international business and a convenient connecting point to continental Europe," he says.

WOW air, which is very challenging for those who like traditional company names with initial caps, serves 38 destinations across Europe, North America, and Asia. Their goal is to provide the cheapest flights to and from Iceland and across the Atlantic.

It describes itself as a "happy low-fare, long-haul airline based in Iceland." How often do you see airlines describe themselves as "happy?" It also has the greatest signature plum-magenta color, splashed on the planes' exteriors and the flight attendants' uniforms.

WOW air was founded by entrepreneur Skúli Mogensen, whose background is largely in technology and telecoms in Iceland, Europe, and North America. He sits on the board of many tech companies in North America and Europe and was selected Business Man of the Year in Iceland in 2011 and 2016.

"WOW air is thrilled to bring our low-fare, transatlantic flight service to Dallas Fort Worth in May 2018," Mogensen says. "Dallas Fort Worth is a world-class region and we can't wait to give European travelers the opportunity to experience all that Texas has to offer."

WOW air has grown rapidly since its inaugural flight in 2012. The airline carried over 400,000 guests in 2013 and was the most punctual airline in Iceland that year. It is estimated that WOW air's annual passenger capacity will grow from approximately 1.6 million in 2016 to over 3 million in 2017.

The Icelandic low-cost airline stays true to its name by offering select flights to certain European destinations. If you live in St. Louis, Boston, Washington, D.C., Pittsburgh, San Francisco, or Chicago, you already know that you can visit cities such as Reykjavik, Brussels, and Warsaw for $99.99. Now Dallas-Fort Worth will be able to join that pack.

The airline is no frills. That means no free food, beverages, or entertainment; you can bring your own or buy them on the flight for an additional price.

For airplane buffs, WOW operates a fleet of Airbus planes, and will operate the Airbus A321, the largest member of the Airbus A320 family, for DFW flights.

WOW air service will begin on May 24, 2018 between Reykjavik Keflavik International Airport (KEF) and DFW, with the schedule as follows:

KDF to DFW:
Departs KEF at 9:30 pm Monday, Wednesdays, and Fridays
Arrives DFW at 12:45am Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays

DFW to KEF:
Departs DFW at 4:10 pm Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays
Arrives KEF at 4:45 am Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays

The new route will open up more travel choices for DFW customers via the WOW air hub in Reykjavik, which serves 22 destinations in Europe and the Middle East. That includes Dublin, Ireland, which is already anticipating travel to Texas.

transportation traffic

DART News

Dallas section of Cotton Belt Trail near DART Silver Line finds funds

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A trail in the works for north Dallas has received an infusion of cash: The Cotton Belt Trail, located northwest of Dallas and planned as a regional trail corridor, will receive federal funds from the Regional Transportation Council (RTC).

The trail currently stretches 19.84 miles, stretching between North Richland Hills and Grapevine, with two additional sections in North Richland Hills and Carrollton. There are currently gaps between Grapevine and Carrollton, and another gap between Carrollton and Richardson, across Addison and north Dallas.

The funding was originally supposed to be funded city by city, says Dallas City Council member Carah Mendelsohn.

“We were told each city along the Silver Line would have to fund its portion of the trail project, but we worked together to get funding,” Mendelsohn says. “This RTC funding saves the City of Dallas approximately $7 million and helps complete a vision years in the making. We now have funding for the final unfunded segment of the Cotton Belt Trail in District 12, as well as the missing link of the Marni Kaner Trail needed to complete the North Dallas Triangle."

The North Dallas Triangle is a 4-mile urban trail circuit linking the Preston Ridge, Cotton Belt, and Marni Kaner Trails. When complete, this amenity will provide seamless access, enhanced further by upgrades to Preston Green and Campbell Green Parks, and the new Davenport Trailhead.

With design already underway and construction beginning next month, this 26-mile trail will follow the path of the Silver Line rail from Plano to DFW Airport, ultimately linking to Tarrant County and extending to Fort Worth.

The Cotton Belt Trail follows the former St. Louis Southwestern Railway, nicknamed the Cotton Belt Line, which began running in the late 1800s and was discontinued in the 1970s.

transportation