BA progresses plan for transatlantic services
Plans by British Airways to launch transatlantic services from European capital cities next summer appeared to be taking shape today.
The airline said earlier this year it intended to take advantage of an “open skies” agreement between the United States and Europe, which will remove most of the restrictions on where airlines from the two regions can fly.
BA is expected to go from Brussels, Madrid and Paris to New York’s John F Kennedy airport, although the final network has yet to be decided.
The Sunday Times said BA directors gave the go-ahead for the plans within the past few weeks. It pointed out European airlines such as Air France and Lufthansa were likely to respond to the invasion of their home turf by starting flights from Heathrow or donating landing slots to American partner airlines.
A spokesman for the airline today confirmed the service would not be business-class only, contrary to some expectations. It is not yet known if the less luxurious offering will be BA’s normal economy seating or a type of premium-economy cabin.
BA also said it is likely to use Boeing 757s, which are smaller than the planes it uses for transatlantic flights from the UK.
The airline is currently prevented from operating from other European countries by restrictive treaties governing transatlantic air services. They will be lifted in April.
BA executives are said to believe that the strength of its brand is such that it can lure passengers away from its European rivals such as Air France and Lufthansa, even in their home markets.
As well as the anticipated tit-for-tat response from European rivals, BA is also facing increased competition from a new wave of low-cost all-business class airlines, such as Silverjet, Eos and Maxjet.
Meanwhile, the US Department of Justice is this week expected to press ahead with its investigation into alleged price fixing by airlines, including BA, and to announce details of any charges arising from its probe. It has already imposed a fine of around £150m (€220m) on the airline.
