SCHEDULED Guyana-New York flights by TravelSpan on Xtra Airways, a brand new state of the art Boeing 737-800 jet, are due to begin today with the inaugural flight set to arrive at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport at 13:30 h.

At a ceremony at the JFK Airport in New York Tuesday, the media were briefed on plans by the airline and taken on a tour of the aircraft, which can hold between 162 and 189 passengers.

The company has been granted approval by the Department of Transport in Washington allowing it to operate scheduled flights from Guyana to New York.

It said that from today it will offer flights to New York on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays.

TravelSpan is offering customers all leather seats and first class service, 32 inches leg room, newest in-flight entertainment and friendly flight attendants.

“TravelSpan GT Inc. is looking forward to offering the citizens of Guyana the continued superior in-flight service that its sister company TravelSpan Inc. is known for in the New York and Fort Lauderdale markets,” it said.

Flights are non-stop and direct to New York and services include “hot towels, hot meals, two beverage services, movies, (and) our insignia in-flight passenger service representative”, at no extra price.

At the JFK Airport ceremony Tuesday, there was a welcome address by Mr. Chaitram Persaud, Manager, Sales, Guyana Operations; an opening prayer by Mr. Mark Charles, Manager, Flatbush Office; opening remarks by Mr. George Paulos, Executive Director; and speeches by Dr. Harold Robertson, Consul General of Trinidad and Tobago; Senator John L. Sampson, State Senator of the 19th District and Mr. Boodhoo of the Guyana Consulate.