V-Flyer

Just had the following email from BA about the LCY-(SNN)-JFK-LCY service. I do actually think this will work as the combination of LCY and being pre-cleared at JFK is a dream to save time.

Dear Mr EEJP1007,

Let me introduce myself. My name is J S and I am the Design Manager for an exciting new British Airways project. I've been asked by our team to share with you some of the thinking behind the soon to be launched Club World London City service, flying between London City airport and New York JFK.

As the first long-haul, business class only service to fly from London City airport, our brief was to design the most productive cabin environment ever. Back in March 2008, my team began the creation of your perfect office in the sky.

To meet our brief, we've made sure the cabin is spacious and airy. We've achieved this by configuring just 32 seats so that you will always be by the window or aisle. Of course, as well as feeling like a real office, it has to function like one. This means room to spread out, access to the internet and the ability to send and receive emails and texts. With so few people on board, you'll find the cabin incredibly peaceful - essential for work, and rest. Even the lighting adjusts to suit your mood. And to make sure you get some sleep on the way back, the seats recline into a fully flat six foot bed.

Having travelled to New York on business a fair bit myself, I am confident this service will not only enable you to be more productive, but save time too. Arrive at London City airport with hand luggage only and you can check-in just 15 minutes before departure. You'll also clear US immigration and customs at Shannon airport.

To give you a preview of what's to come, I've attached some early cabin designs. I think we stayed faithful to the brief. I hope you agree, when you try the service for yourself.

All the best,

J S
Design Management, British Airways

Be great to see the cabin designs?

quote:Originally posted by slinky09
Be great to see the cabin designs?


we can't allow them to be posted yet, there is a copyright issue.

What aircraft will they be using?

-Steve

quote:Originally posted by Stevieboy
What aircraft will they be using?

-Steve


An A318 (BA have purchased two I think specifically for this service) - the reason for the stop in Shannon is that it can't take off from LCY with the fuel required TATL - so a quick stop at Shannon to refuel and complete immigration and customs then away. It's an awfully good plan and the idea is that with very minimal check in times at LCY, no very long journey to LHR from Docklands, no immigration or customs at JFK, the overall journey time will be shorter.

On the return, given the runway length at JFK, the 318 can do the trip fully fueled.

I think this really takes us back to a golden era of flying.
It will be personal and something unique, even more so than any of the other carriers that tried the C only cabins, this has a gazillion more selling points.
I wonder if regulars on this flight will actually start talking to each other and some great business links can be made up in the air.

One think I am wondering is about is the inflight internet access, do any other transatlantic carriers offer this yet? Also good to see that they have limited mobile phone access to texts as opposed to full calls. I can see some people annoying me with beep beeps though so I will be carrying a full load of 'tut tuts' if I ever fly this.

There's a bit more info about this here

Regards

Ha ha! They obvoisuly don't read the small print.
Well done v-flyer for keeping it legal. Ed

With the economy as it is and everyone reducing the whole use of premium cabins on flying budgets in general will this actually help BA atm? Isnt this once again BA keeping to the old business plan of premium J customers. The idea of Shannon seems annoying to have to stop over, but as many have pointed out to be pre-cleared for JFK will be worth the extra price and little stop over time to get to that meeting.

I still think this is not the time to launch I read in the paper on the way home tickets had been released for no flexible tickets 2'000 quoted and 4'500 for flexible tickets. Quite high with sale fares at 1'099 even if it is LHR/LGW

Alex

quote:Originally posted by platinumleo
With the economy as it is and everyone reducing the whole use of premium cabins on flying budgets in general will this actually help BA atm? Isnt this once again BA keeping to the old business plan of premium J customers. The idea of Shannon seems annoying to have to stop over, but as many have pointed out to be pre-cleared for JFK will be worth the extra price and little stop over time to get to that meeting.

I still think this is not the time to launch I read in the paper on the way home tickets had been released for no flexible tickets 2'000 quoted and 4'500 for flexible tickets. Quite high with sale fares at 1'099 even if it is LHR/LGW

Alex


I believe it is a phenomenaly good idea - servicing the City like that. There is still many of my colleagues there flying to New York on business at an alarming rate - all in J or F. But I guess time will tell.

Although I am an infrequent PAX to New York on business, I will certainly use it on my leisure trips. Avioding LHR (and the trip to it and fro it) gets my [y] and the nause of USA customs being an added advantage that a short stop in Shannon does not dilute.

Regards,

Hackneguy

Well I agree the fact of servicing both financial centre's and cities will be useful, but the cue will of course be from LCY, and the clearing of US customs. I know a few who could be tempted for the direct flight.

I just worry there wouldn't be much of a take up, afew years ago surely much more booming service as you say only time will tell. If your saying there really are as many J or F customers still purchasing tickets then maybe it will be a runaway success.

I just still feel that BA is still following the old business formula of depending on full fare business and first and not looking to diversify. Not really showing the airline 'fighting for survival'

Like you i never travel for business and all for leisure, but I might be tempted for a good sale fare, its just seems to be another MaxiJet and SIlverJet in the making.

Good luck to them

Alex

quote:Originally posted by platinumleo
Well I agree the fact of servicing both financial centre's and cities will be useful, but the cue will of course be from LCY, and the clearing of US customs. I know a few who could be tempted for the direct flight.


I understand BA is doing this to satisfy one or two particular customers with large offices in Canary Wharf - who have virtually guaranteed its success.

Having worked at CW and travelled to Heathrow frequently I think it's a sparkling idea. There's no lounge at LCY because apparently you can arrive for these flights 15 mins before departure!

From this weekend's Independent, a preview of BA's LCY-JFK service.

Well that must be one of the best aviation related article I have read, very well thought out and reported.

Thanks.

That's a cheap gibe from Paul Charles. I expect this to do well, anyone who has worked at Canary Wharf and flown to the US from Heathrow will appreciate the option. I see over on FT that the BAers forum reports higher than anticipated advance bookings too.

Hope BA does well with this, good innovation [y].

Comedy BA (Times journalist) vs VS twittering going on.

Centres around mine's faster than yours

Yeah I liked this one

VirginAtlantic#bacity our VS45 is just about to overtake you! We left London 90 minutes later than you but we'll be at The Peninsula bar in NY first.

Proof yet again, you don't race a 744 with a 318 [:D]

quote:Originally posted by Scrooge
Yeah I liked this one

VirginAtlantic#bacity our VS45 is just about to overtake you! We left London 90 minutes later than you but we'll be at The Peninsula bar in NY first.

Proof yet again, you don't race a 744 with a 318 [:D]


Not if the Alitalia, Air Ukraine and Swiss flight arrive, as they usually do, just before the VS45. Then you're in the immigration queue for up to an hour ... [:w]

All good fun though. I wonder how important it was for VS to get the 45 away on time today [:p].

A great stunt would have been for SRB to wave off the plane at LCY and then greet it at JFK. [:)]

quote:Originally posted by slinky09
quote:Originally posted by Scrooge
Yeah I liked this one

VirginAtlantic#bacity our VS45 is just about to overtake you! We left London 90 minutes later than you but we'll be at The Peninsula bar in NY first.

Proof yet again, you don't race a 744 with a 318 [:D]


Not if the Alitalia, Air Ukraine and Swiss flight arrive, as they usually do, just before the VS45. Then you're in the immigration queue for up to an hour ... [:w]

All good fun though. I wonder how important it was for VS to get the 45 away on time today [:p].


Well 45 should beat it today, todays BA1 is delayed due to engine issues at LCY.

quote:Originally posted by locutus
A great stunt would have been for SRB to wave off the plane at LCY and then greet it at JFK. [:)]


It would of been a great PR move, shame the Virgin PR machine can't think like that anymore [:#]

I heard the inaugural flight left 90 minutes late. How embarrasing. Ha ha ha

quote:Originally posted by Jeffers555
I heard the inaugural flight left 90 minutes late. How embarrasing. Ha ha ha


Not the inaugural, the second day. Engine part apparently then testing.

Watched it take off on time today, very steep ascent by the looks of it, compared to other planes taking off today. Wouldn't mind trying it out though.

quote:Originally posted by Jeffers555
I heard the inaugural flight left 90 minutes late. How embarrasing. Ha ha ha

That's a funny attitude towards a British airline trying something new?

How many years have Virgin practiced flying across the atlantic and how many of those flights are still 90 minutes late? (or more for the LGW fleet)

quote:Originally posted by Capt.Pag
quote:Originally posted by Jeffers555
I heard the inaugural flight left 90 minutes late. How embarrasing. Ha ha ha

That's a funny attitude towards a British airline trying something new?

How many years have Virgin practiced flying across the atlantic and how many of those flights are still 90 minutes late? (or more for the LGW fleet)


I have nothing against a British airline or any other British company trying something new. I just hate BA. May they soon RIP.