INDIANAPOLIS (WTHR) - The first flight from Indianapolis International Airport to Paris is in the air.
Starting Wednesday, Hoosiers can take a non-stop flight from the Indianapolis to Paris. In September, Delta announced they would add a new non-stop flight to Paris from the Indianapolis Airport.
The year-round flight to Charles De Gaulle Airport in Paris will make a more streamlined option, cutting down on time, for those who wish to travel to the "City of Lights." It's about an 8-hour flight to fly from city-to-city on a direct flight, where it used to take about 15 hours to get from Indy to Paris.
"This is a big deal. I mean, it's a big deal to have a direct flight from Indianapolis to Paris. No more stopping for who knows how long in some other little airport, losing your luggage," said Dawn Kaiser.
"I travel around the world a lot on business and pleasure both. So now, instead of having to go to JFK or Washington Dulles, here we can get directly from Indianapolis to Paris, which is a gateway, and its wonderful," said Bob Epstein.
By attracting Indiana’s first year-round transatlantic flight, the Indianapolis Airport Authority estimates that this new air service could have a $50 million annual impact on Indiana’s economy.
"It opens the door for other flights, other airlines to look at non-stop flights," said . "So I think a lot of folks...I know Salesforce folks, I think, are looking forward to, potentially, a Heathrow flight," said Renee Wilmeth.
“Indiana and the Indianapolis metropolitan area has long been an important part of our route network and we are honored that Delta will be the first U.S. carrier to take Indiana nonstop to Europe,” said Bob Cortelyou, senior vice president of network planning for Delta.
The first flight, which was pretty much full, was sent off with a big celebration at the gate, including French music, food and wine.
Round-trip tickets are currently running around $1,300 for the flight, which will run seven days a week in the summer and three days a week during the winter.