BA Takes Over Last All-biz-class Transatlantic Carrier

By Thierry Dubois

July 10, 2008
Air Transport and Cargo

British Airways announced it is taking over France-based L’Avion, the last remaining all-business-class carrier on a transatlantic route. The 18-month-old startup airline will be merged with BA subsidiary OpenSkies.

The two operators have been code-sharing for less than one month between Paris Orly and New York. OpenSkies and L’Avion use JFK and Newark Airports, respectively.

With the integration of L’Avion, OpenSkies will offer up to three daily flights from Paris Orly to New York. L’Avion claims to have flown some 65,000 passengers since its inception in January 2007.

It operates two Boeing 757s, each in a 90-seat layout. OpenSkies operates 82-seat 757s in a three-class configuration (business, premium economy and economy).

The $105 million deal includes a $51 million cash infusion into L’Avion. BA intends to have OpenSkies flying to Amsterdam, Brussels, Frankfurt and Milan.

Recent casualties on the all-business-class transatlantic market include MaxJet, Eos and Silverjet.

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