From Deseret News archives:
Bon voyage Delta begins nonstop flights from Salt Lake to Paris
To celebrate Monday evening's inaugural Delta Air Lines flight to Paris, passengers at the departure gate munched on French-inspired hors d'oeuvres while a musician played Edith Piaf's "Padam Padam" on an accordion at the Salt Lake City International Airport.
"This really represents the dawn of a new transportation era for this state," said Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr., as he bid adieu to the flight of Utah passengers.
Delta Flight 170 departs daily from the Salt Lake airport at 5 p.m. and arrives at Charles de Gaulle International Airport 10 hours and 15 minutes later. Delta Flight 171 leaves Paris daily at 10:20 a.m. and will arrive in Salt Lake City 11 hours and 10 minutes later, at 1:30 p.m. local time.
"We're hoping to get the recreational skiers and the summer visitors here," Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon said, noting that companies such as Rossignol in Park City and Amer Sports in Ogden have connections to Europe.
State economic officials hope the weak dollar will encourage tourism and business in Utah.
"The world is getting a little smaller," said Franz Kolb, director for Europe for the Governor's Office of Economic Development. "This reminds me of the Olympics. But with the Olympics, people came here. Now we can go there."
The 216-passenger Boeing 767 cruises at 537 mph at 35,000 feet. Delta pilot Larry Foster described the airborne route from Paris to Salt Lake City: France, England, Scotland, Iceland, Greenland, Canada's Ontario province, Montana, Wyoming and Utah.
"It doesn't look like a direct flight, but it is," Foster said. "It's a great circle route. Take an orange and slice it. You'll find the shortest route isn't west."
Jeff Edwards, president of the Economic Development Corporation of Utah, has traveled to Europe numerous times. He said that changing planes takes a toll when trying to adjust to different time zones. Not having to stop, he said, "was so much better."
Comments
- Obama: Troop drawdown gradual 9:29 a.m.
- Exports up 6th straight month 9:24 a.m.
- Austria passes gay civil unions bill 9:18 a.m.
- EU seeks united front on climate 9:16 a.m.
- Nobel returned to Iranian laureate 8:46 a.m.
- Stocks rise on trade deficit, jobs data 8:45 a.m.
- Gay-friendly curriculum phased out 8:43 a.m.
- Spanish gov't to change abortion bill 8:41 a.m.
- IOC OKs cycling, tennis changes 8:28 a.m.
- BCS = power conference monopoly 8:15 a.m.
- Crash landing next to I-15
- Palin signs books, chats with fans
- Psychologist: Mitchell schizophrenic
- Panel passes BCS playoff bill
- Hot Rod behind mic for Lakers
- Max Hall wants to look ahead
- Nude bathers cited for lewdness
- Cougars use depth to beat ASU
- Non-BCS schools not given fair shot
- Jazz go up against 'the best'
- Letters: Global warming a lie
233 - TCU to play Boise in Fiesta Bowl
206 - BYU football: Bronco weighs in on Hall
185 - Cougars going back to Vegas
150 - Utah/BYU rivalry can be more civil
147 - Andersen apologizes for Jordan hoax
138 - Max Hall wants to look ahead
120 - Palin signs books, chats with fans
114 - Revive full food tax?
100 - Panel passes BCS playoff bill
97
It's probably too late to get them to soldiers stationed overseas in...
Love him or hate him, Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch knows how to get attention.
They are who they thought they were: alarmists and deceivers who did or are...
Of course, the gay community NEVER bullies, manipulates, or uses intimidation.
Have you ever watched a cat play with a mouse? If you saw the Jazz play the...
I live in Saratoga Springs, and the roundabout in Lehi is horrible. There...
Shame on the Utah County Sheriff department. Surely there are more important...
to Merry Christmas: Christmas tress are actually a Pagan tradition that was...
Sowell is right on, as usual. We are losing our freedoms every day by...
So BYU can't run their mouths because they haven't won in the tourney for...
Do you REALLY believe that President Obama has "a deep seated hatred for...



You can be the first to comment on this story.