Popular airline service invests £4m in new luxury coaches to mark 40-year anniversary

The ever-popular airline coach service between Oxford and Heathrow and Gatwick Airports has invested £4 million in 13 new luxurious Mercedes Tourismo coaches.

Owned and operated by Oxford Bus Company, the investment celebrates the airline’s 40-year anniversary and its dedication to providing a first-class travel standard passenger experience.

The investment in the new vehicles underlines Oxford Bus Company’s continued commitment to the airline service. Of the 20-vehicle fleet, 13 will be upgraded by the new executive coaches across the year, with the first tranche expected to go into service in the spring.

The coaches are ultra-low Euro 6 rated for emissions and include additional safety features including digital camera operated mirrors, with ‘Sideguard’ alert systems to pick up pedestrians, cyclists and other vulnerable road users, and Active Brake Assist and multi-lane monitoring for extra safe motorway driving.

Upgraded cybersecurity features too include anti-hacking software, while the coaches are complete with hearing loops and audio-visual aids for customers.

Luke Marion, Managing Director of the Oxford Bus Company, said: “We’re proud of the heritage of our luxury airline service and to be celebrating such a milestone of helping people connect with and between the two airports.

“The airline service performs an important offering to our customers, providing a reliable, comfortable and great value for money way for people to travel to and from Gatwick and Heathrow.

“Built on a long-standing and hard-earned reputation, the airline remains the go-to service for those travelling to either Gatwick or Heathrow Airport via Oxford and High Wycombe.

“This significant investment in upgrading our airline fleet further underpins our commitment to the service. The new coaches are fantastic and include new technology making them the most modern and luxurious coaches in the UK.”

The airline is the most frequent service to Heathrow and Gatwick Airports from Oxford and High Wycombe. Regular coach departures are up to every 20 minutes to Heathrow and hourly to Gatwick during the day.

Subject to traffic conditions, it takes 80 minutes to reach Heathrow Terminal 5 from Oxford and 90 minutes to get to Heathrow Central Bus Station. Oxford to Gatwick South Terminal takes between two hours and 15 minutes and two hours and 50 minutes, with an additional 10 minutes to reach Gatwick North Terminal.

Oxford stops include Thornhill Park & Ride, Headington shops, Oxford Brookes University, St Clement’s, High Street and Gloucester Green.

All airline coaches include USB power at every seat and free Wi-Fi, with drop-off outside the airport terminals.

Two suitcases per adult passengers can be stowed free of charge (up to 20kg each) in the luggage hold, plus one small item of hand luggage, while children may bring one suitcase free of charge (up to 20kg) along with one small item of hand luggage.

Large items such as cycles, skis and trunks can only be transported if space permits. This is at the driver’s discretion, with a surcharge of £5 payable per large item.

Seats can be booked in advance via the airline website at: www.theairline.co.uk/