Pittsburgh to Paris: We're Onboard

There's only one reason I'm winging my way to Paris tonight.

Well, make that one reason that made the difference  between going and staying and in this case, viva la différence. It's this Delta direct flight that debuts today from Pittsburgh, now scheduled five times a week to Paris.  We depart PIT at 6:15 p.m. and arrive nonstop at Charles DeGaulle airport tomorrow morning at 8:30.  How do you say so very sweet in French?

Next week we return, leaving Paris at 10:40 a.m. and—here's the part I love, love, love—arriving in Pittsburgh at 2:00 p.m.  Bonjour to that, bébé.

That's the kind of international travel schedule to make any globetrotting Pittsburgher swoon. Like everyone who has endured delayed connecting flights upon returning from Europe, I was thrilled to hear Pittsburgh scored a direct flight to Paris. This is major. It's been five long years without a gateway to Europe -- since USAirways eliminated flights to Frankfurt and London around the same time when we lost our status as a hub airport. (Just FYI, but I know plenty of locals who still will fly any airline but.)

What does it matter?
Without direct flights we endure scenarios like this one: After a smooth trip to Spain two years ago my family returned to JFK.   Originally our connecting flight to Pittsburgh was scheduled four hours later--bad enough but tolerable. But the flight was delayed – three times. After an eight hour flight from Barcelona, we ended up with an eight hour layover in an increasingly congested airport terminal and then--oh stinging slap to the already bruised psyche—a delay on the runway.  

When you are jetlagged and so tired you can't knee the seat of the person in front of you—which is reclined to an angle that George Carlin says would allow you to comfortably do dental work on him --it's enough to make you want to stay home.  

So when I heard about this direct Delta flight to Paris, I cheered and, when the price dropped from $1200 to under $700, booked two tickets.  Time to put my money where my mouth is.  If there's one thing better than going to Paris, it's going to Paris and feeling noble about it.

Think Local, Fly Global
It's a global world we live in and we are connected on so many levels. I can check the Louvre's website, where astoundingly every piece of art is posted and plan a highly strategic visit.  Smart. I can put another issue of Pop City to bed in Paris via Wi Fi, and keep in touch with everyone in Pop City Land at no cost. Efficient.  But until today, I couldn't get to more than three international cities on direct flights from Pittsburgh—Cancun, Punta Cana in Dominican Republic (Both US 3000 Apple Tour flights), and Toronto if that even counts (Air Canada, twice a day).

Now make it four and by far the best.

Name One Thing. Or Two.
Here at Pop City, which celebrates the great things happening in this region, we get asked this question a lot:  What does Pittsburgh really need?

While we're doing well on many fronts, there are two things. One is better connectivity between Pittsburgh and other cities—which means good rail connections to D.C. and New York and other cities and direct flights to major cities in the U.S. and Europe. Without connecting the dots on the big global picture, we won't become the connected thriving city we envision. And without those connections, we won't attract more talent, which is the other thing our region needs. Density matters in this critical equation: More flights to attract more people. More people to demand more flights.

Think business travel and attracting companies to relocate.  Think Bayer and Medrad and the hundreds of companies here doing international business and flying to Europe weekly.

Then think recreational travel.  Know how many people move to Pittsburgh after visiting here? I don't either but we hear from quite a few of them. The point is, we want to make it as easy for people to fly here from Paris as well as Peoria. Once they get here, the rest is fairly easy: Pittsburgh sells itself.

Here's How
If we suddenly scored a high-speed train to Harrisburg or Philly or …anywhere, I would be planning that trip too, and urging you all to come along. (Say the word. I will keep my suitcase packed.) So when we snag something like this – a direct flight to a major international city—we should support it.  Big time.

How? Let me count the ways.

Besides actually taking the flight, we can promote the flight. If your company does international travel, urge them to support it.  Tell your family and friends about it and why it's so important. Go viral. Start a Facebook group if that's your thing. We will all join if you promise not to message us three times a week.

Best yet, book a flight.  Go to Paris – or beyond. If you go soon you can catch the Warhol exhibit at the Grand Palais. (Tom Sokolowski is on the inaugural flight for this very reason.) From Paris you can go anywhere in the world.  If, for instance, you go to Cairo (and isn't it time?), you can connect through Paris and on the return trip, instead of taking an 8:30 am flight to JFK with a layover, have a croissant and espresso and opt for the 10:00 direct flight to PIT.  It will make a world of difference. Land at 2:00 instead of waiting for hours at JFK to get arrive in Pittsburgh at 6. Or 7. Or later.

Pittsburgh used to have as many as  71 direct flights to other cities, according to a recent report by Pittsburgh Today. We are down to 50. Airport officials, the Allegheny Conference, and the Pittsburgh business community worked really hard to get this Delta flight to Paris, and they're guaranteeing a two-year success to the tune of millions. They tried a number of times to convince USAir to reinstitute a non-stop flight but no luck. (Did I mention how many Pittsburghers have ditched flying US Air?)

But here's our chance to support this one direct international flight and, we all hope, earn more along the way. Perhaps as a direct result, United just added nonstops from Pittsburgh to Los Angeles and San Francisco.

So for everyone's sake, including yours, please support this Delta flight.

And special note to USAirways: if you decide to bless us with direct international flights once again, all is forgiven. Well, almost all. If we get the hub back, it's a clean slate.

For information on all nonstop flights from Pittsburgh, and info on wait time in security and parking capacity, log onto www.flypittsburgh.com

To receive Pop City free every week, click here.

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Tracy Certo is publisher and editor of Pop City. She wishes her entire staff were going to Paris with her.  Email her here.

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Warhol poster courtesy The Andy Warhol Museum
All other photographs copyright an envious Brian Cohen