It is with sadness that I bid farewell (or cheerio, as the case may be) to Zoom Airlines, the Canadian airline that went out of business less than two months ago, at the end of August 2008. Zoom had been providing twice-weekly service between San Diego and London’s Gatwick Airport since June of this year.
I had the pleasure of meeting and greeting the passengers after they zoomed in on the inaugural flight from London to San Diego on June 20. I created a short video post of that memorable event which became one of the most popular video posts on the Ambassablog! As they came out of Customs, the passengers were excited – happy to finally land in San Diego, grateful for our warm weather, and eager for vacation adventures.
There was a lot of enthusiasm for Zoom from the community … and from employees here at the airport as well. Although the airline’s time in San Diego was rather short-lived, for one summer Zoom helped connect people across oceans and continents.
The visitors from England I spoke to said they looked forward to having a “brilliant” time here. And I’m sure many San Diegans enjoyed London, too, thanks to Zoom.
I know it’s one of my favorite cities – that’s why I’ve taken four vacations there so far! Check out a couple of my trip pictures for proof, showing me at Buckingham Palace and the Tower of London.
While we wait for another direct flight to London, you can check out this fun video that Englishman Simon Calder put together about a
Zoom-fueled trip to San Diego, called 48 Hours in San Diego. It lets us see San Diego through the eyes of outside visitors. Keep an eye out for scenes showing San Diego International Airport. And see if you can catch my friend Dave
on the rooftop of the Gaslamp Quarter Marriott!
Filed under: Air Service, Airlines of Lindbergh Field, MARY (Administration Division)
As a fellow SDIA employee who is British I appreciated your bit on London and Zoom Airlines sad departure. My hopes of flying direct to England from San Diego were dashed by their departure. I also really enjoyed the short movie, 45 Hours in San Diego – what a find. After watching that I really appreciated how lucky I am to live in beautiful San Diego and to work in the Airport where so many from around the world see this fantastic city for the first time.
Good job on a great posting.
Thanks for the comment, Sharon. You and I can wait together for another direct San Diego – London flight… I’m looking forward to that! And then I will have to get some good British traveling tips from you!
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