British Airways London-New York business class-only flights from September 29, 2009

British Airways plans to launch its first-ever long-haul Club World service – the  business class-only flights – between London City Airport and John F Kennedy International Airport in New York, on September 29, 2009. Tickets for the two-times-a-day Club World flights are already on sale, British Airways, the flag-carrier airline of the United Kingdom, said in a statement.

British Airways has named the London-New York business class-only flights, the carrier’s most prestigious service, Flight BA001 – the flight number earlier used
by the trans-Atlantic supersonic passenger airliner Concorde until it was retired in 2003.

Flight BA001 will have only 32 seats that can be converted into full-flat beds.

From London City Airport, British Airways Flight BA001 will fly across the Atlantic Ocean after a brief re-fuelling stop at Shannon Airport in western Ireland, where passengers can clear US Customs and Immigration.

The return flight from John F Kennedy International Airport in New York will be non stop since the plane can use Kennedy Airport’s full-length runways and take off with adequate fuel for its entire trans-Atlantic journey, British Airways said.

The media quoted Willie Walsh, chief executive of British Airways, as saying that “in the toughest trading environment that airlines have experienced, we believe that it is more important than ever to embrace the future and innovate.”

“There has been,” Walsh added, “real enthusiasm from our customers” for the London-New York Club World service. British Airways is “at its best and stylish”

with this service and “reviving the BA001 flight number for the first long-haul route out of London City Airport could not be more appropriate.”

Passengers on Flight BA001 will enjoy Britain’s first in-flight internet access on trans-Atlantic flights, British Airways said in the statement. This means that the passengers will be able to work and keep in touch with their offices on the London-New York flight through email and texts.

What is more, according to the airline, the exclusive service on the flight gives the passengers “the feel of a private jet.”

According to British Airways, the other facilities the passengers on Flight BA001 will enjoy are:

• Passengers who wish to stay can choose from a range of luxury hotels in New York available through the airline.
• Check-in only 15 minutes before departure.
• Dedicated departure gate with ‘lounge’ facilities.
• Customs and Immigration clearance at Shannon in Ireland, which helps save time on arrival at John F Kennedy International Airport in New York.