British Airways has confirmed that its new all-business service connecting
London City Airport and New York JFK is to launch at the end of September,
as we first revealed at Times Online Business Travel several months ago.
First tickets for the service, which will launch on 29 September, go on sale
tomorrow. Fares will start from £1,901.10 return at the weekend, £4,912.10
for discounted weekday returns and £5,625.10 for fully flexible tickets.
Return fares on BA's flights from Heathrow to JFK in October are around
£1,096 discounted and £5,140 fully flexible.
There are two returns flights each day except Saturday. BA001 will leave
London City at 1240 and arrive in JFK at 1705. BA002 departs JFK at 1830 and
arrives at LCY at 0705 the following day. BA003 will depart London City at
1600 and arrive at JFK at 2025. BA004 departs JFK at 2150 and arrives at
London City at 1025 the following morning.
The choice of flight numbers will surprise some aviation enthusiasts – BA001
was previously used by Concorde until its retirement in 2003.
Willie Walsh, British Airways’ chief executive said: “In the harshest trading
environment airlines have experienced, we believe it is more important than
ever to embrace the future and innovate. That is what this historic new
route is all about.
“There is real enthusiasm from our customers for this project. This is BA at
its best – stylish, British and ahead of the game. Reviving the BA001 flight
number for the first long-haul route out of London City could not be more
appropriate.
“Every aspect of this service has been designed to maximise convenience for
customers to fly between the world’s two biggest business centres – Wall
Street and London’s extended financial district in the City and Docklands.
“The UK’s first web access on transatlantic flights means that customers can
work and keep in touch with the office between London and New York via the
email and texts. Above all the exclusive service style will bring the feel
of a private jet to a business class cabin.”
BA is using Airbus A318s fitted with 32 seats for the services. On the
westbound service, the plane will stop at Shannon, Ireland for refuelling
and passengers will be able to clear US Customs and Immigration there.
Eastbound flights will operate non-stop.
