On Sunday at 2:14 p.m. St. Thomas welcomed the newest airline to service the island, the world's largest, United Airlines.
There to welcome the plane load of travel and tourism professionals were Gov. Charles W. Turnbull, Lt. Gov. Gerard "Luz" James II acting Tourism Commissioner Monique Sibilly-Hodge, Alexandra Villoch, United's general manager for Miami and the Caribbean and Janise M. Robinson, operations manger for United Airlines.
After two years of negotiations the airline decided in April to bring four flights a week into St. Thomas, two from Chicago's O'Hare Airport and two from Washington's Dulles Airport. The flights will come in on weekends.
Andrew HeLal, managing director of Frenchman's Reef told St. Thomas Source last month he expects the additional seats to help the island, but that it's not like "turning on a tap." He expects the results to begin to show by springtime.
The Boeing 757s can carry 188 passengers, accord to the Daily News.
