British Airways is planning to launch its new US-EU subsidiary airline "OpenSkies" with daily flights from New York to Brussels and Paris. (1/10/2008)
OpenSkies´ Managing Director will be Dale Moss, British Airways´ former director of worldwide sales, and the airline is registered in the UK. It will shortly file an application for the necessary regulatory approval in the US and UK.
The airline will launch in June 2008 with one Boeing 757 aircraft that will operate from New York to either Brussels or Paris Charles de Gaulle airports. A second aircraft will be added to the fleet later this year to fly to the other EU destination. The plan is to operate six 757s by the end of 2009, all of which will be sourced from the current British Airways´ fleet.
The aircraft will carry up to 82 passengers on Boeing 757 aircraft with three onboard cabins: business, premium economy and economy.
British Airways´ Chief Executive Willie Walsh said: "This is an exciting new venture for us and we´re confident that it will be a great success as we build on the strength of British Airways´ brand in the US and Europe."
OpenSkies´ business class cabin has 24 seats that convert into 6´ flat beds. There will be 28 premium economy seats with a 52" seat pitch and 30 economy seats.
The 757s will have winglets retro-fitted on the aircraft. These will improve fuel efficiency, reduce the aircraft´s CO2 emissions and increase the aircraft´s operating range.
