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Subscribe to RSS Feed100% business class, 100% of the time.
Spring’s finally arrived. And what a busy spring it’s already been.
As you can see from the photo above, we’ve already wheeled one of the two L’Avion 757s into the hangar and made it part of the OpenSkies family by repainting it with the updated OpenSkies livery that mixes in tones of L’Avion’s signature purple. Flatbed seats are being added over the next couple months and we’re also installing the Archos inflight entertainment system. That means over 50 hours of movies, TV, music and games.
What else are we up to? As part of our integration with L’Avion, we’re changing a few things. BIZ is now Biz Bed and PREM+ has been renamed Biz Seat. So why the new names Biz Bed and Biz Seat? To better convey the fact that, no matter the cabin, you’ll experience business class excellence. We also want to keep things lively, so we’re introducing new dishes to our chef-inspired menu—always made from the freshest ingredients. And of course there’s the great wine selection, always poured from a real bottle.
What isn’t changing is the exceptional comfort, attention to service, and personal touch—and unbeatable value—you’ve come to expect from us. That means loyal L’Avion flyers like Jerome Pineau have no reason to worry.
I’ve been asked about the uniforms, and yes, updated uniforms are part of the integration. Everyone will be suited up by September, but in the meantime, you may see L’Avion and OpenSkies crew members in their current uniforms working together on a flight. No matter the uniform, though, everyone will have an OpenSkies nametag—and everyone is committed to providing you memorable business class experience.
We’re looking forward to expanding the family—and I’m looking forward to hearing what you think of our integration.
Dale
April 1st, 2009 at 7:38 am
like the idea of the new paint scheme good job ! hope to be hearing more
April 2nd, 2009 at 5:20 am
Super! I think L’avion has stopped flying as such effective now right? I am looking forward to flying with you in August headed to France for a conference (and some R&R this time). I have had a really hard time trying to get mileage credits with BA using my Lavion trips last Feb. I’m hoping it wont be so hard with OS from now on.
Now, if _only_ you could ferry my a$$ from LAX to EWR in the same style! <sigh<
April 2nd, 2009 at 4:03 pm
Dale,
This is the reason why you guys should be able to kick some business [...] in this country
http://tinyurl.com/dcjhzz
April 2nd, 2009 at 9:32 pm
Dear Dale,
I flew to Paris with OpenSkies (in Prem+) on March 11th and I absolutely loved the experience. However, since now you’re an “all business class” airline, I think you should allow Prem+/BizSeat customers access to the British Airways Terraces Lounge. That would definitely add to the experience, which is certainly equivalent to other airlines’ business class or even first class service. I always enjoy very much relaxing in the Terraces Lounge before my flight and given the early departure of the OpenSkies flight relative to British Airways’ (I think BA’s first afternoon flight to London leaves at 6.30pm), the Lounge is pretty empty at that time anyway.
Also, I often travel (mostly on BA) to LHR. I know it’s unlikely to happen soon, but I’d love to see OpenSkies offering its excellent service on the JFK-LHR route!
All the best for the future!
April 3rd, 2009 at 9:25 am
just a month ago you said “We aren’t planning on installing standard in-seat entertainment system.” and now “we’re also installing the Archos inflight entertainment system”
please give us more details
April 3rd, 2009 at 2:38 pm
Congratulations, Dale!
I wish you and your team continued success.
Edward
April 8th, 2009 at 7:43 pm
The title of this post is VERY fitting. Your airline provides amazing service that I wouldn’t even consider it business class, but 100% first class, 100% of the time.
I had an exceptional experience with your airline a little less than two months ago. I surprised my then girlfriend with a weekend trip to Paris to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Little did she know that I was really bringing her there to propose. We were shown exceptional treatment by your flight crew. They took care of every single one of our needs. .
Open Skies is the only way I will fly to Paris and I’ve mentioned this to everyone that I know. My fiance and I look forward to flying your alrline again next April/May when we head back to France for our honeymoon.
Best Regards,
Chris
April 9th, 2009 at 2:08 am
Looking forward to my flight to Amsterdam in June, but don’t understand why Biz/Seat to Paris passengers are welcomed in the lounge and Biz/Seat to Amsterdam passengers are not. I know the departures are from 2 different airports, but why should that matter? Shouldn’t all Biz/Seat passengers be similarly situated? Thank you.
April 9th, 2009 at 6:52 pm
I’m wondering what you’re doing about what is probably the majority of passengers who need to be somewhere outside of Amsterdam, Paris or New York. Currently so far as I can tell, booking connecting flights is a bit risky because of having to collect one’s baggage and then check in for the other airline at the intermediate port. If, for whatever reason, your flight inwards is delayed for more than an hour or so, things can get rather iffy even if you did add a three-hour window. Some way of booking such flights on a single ticket and allowing for baggage to be checked through would be entirely amazing.
April 26th, 2009 at 4:40 pm
I had originally booked with L’avion and find myself a bit confused since the merger. There aren’t a lot of passgenger reviews and the info on Open Skies web page syill leaves me wondering a few things.
1. Other than the seats themselves, what is the difference between Biz Bed and Biz Seat service? Lounge access? Meals? Drin service?
2. We are flying EWR to Paris on May 31, and returning on June 7. What will we find as far as in-flight entertainment?
I apologize if I have missed this info. I’m optimistic about Open Skies so far.
May 2nd, 2009 at 1:05 pm
Dear Sirs,
throughout OPEN SKIES´s existence you have encouraged people to write on your blog yet now we have gone without a comment from you for more than one month – that is not exactly participation.
I am sure that there are many issues of importance that interest customers and potential customers. e.g.
1-even in this economic downturn is OPEN SKIES on the way to achieving its business objectives?
2-when will you achieve that “critical mass” of traffic that ensures your future and assures your customers that their reservations are safe?
3-If your parent company sells the chosen vehicle (Boeing 757s)for your expansion, has another vehicle been chosen,or are you going to buy them on the open market or are you going to close down the company after a decent interval?(with Willie Walsh as company chairman of BA nothing could surprise me).
4-I still cannot understand your argument about OS being a point to point airline when most of the comments on the blog are in favour of extending the network or providing interairline exchange.
5-Other airlines provide interchange facilities even though they are point to point airlines and/or are not members of any alliance(e.g Aer Lingus with BA). Cannot you offer this possibility to potential passengers in the oneworld alliance group? i.e. passengers from Iberia , Finnair, Malev etc.
6-This begs the question why the USA was chosen as the main focus point for the promotion of the airline. Now you have chosen Paris as your main operating base but this questions why ORLY is the chosen airport while there are no or few connections from there,certainly fewer than from CDG, especially with oneworld alliance members(because joining OW seems to be the logical conclusion of being a BA subsidiary). The origin of most passengers are potentially more European than US.
7-I think it is imperative that OS goes ahead with its expansion to, at least, Milan and Frankfurt and why not Geneva. That way it can achieve its objectives before your competitors can react (read into this LUFTHANSA ITALIA already flying out of Milan)
If you have excellent service and competitive prices you can then hurt your rivals where it does most damage – but you have to be brave and determined and GET IT RIGHT & QUICK.
By the way do not discard the LAVION brand as it has a good image and could well prove useful in the future – surely better than “Air Liberté” used by your parent in the past.
regards,
Steev
May 13th, 2009 at 9:13 am
I was booked on the May 11,2009 flight from Newark to Orly and had a confirmed seat , my reservation made in February . When I reached the airport , I was told that I would have to move to another seat , as the OpenSkies takeover of L’Avion changed my confirmation. After a heated discussion , I was changed back to my seat .
Why did this occur , and will it happen on my return flight May 16 ?
My confirmation # for L’Avion , doesn’t work on the Open Skies site , thus I can not even ascertain what seat I am in when I return to NY .
Help …
SC
May 15th, 2009 at 2:54 pm
Dale,
I hesitate about making a reservation on Open Skies.
When I call for information, I am placed on hold longer than one hour. No one ever answered the line after 3 attempts.
When I contact British Air and ask some questions, no one there has a clue about Open Skies.
This is not good customer service in this economy.
I was a loyal L’Avion customer, and don’t understand why business seat customers can’t use the BA lounge? That is not a business class airline philosophy.
If you can enlighten me, or even contact me directly, I would greatly appreciate it, since I can’t get any help from your company via email or phone.
Thank you,
Stacey Caron
June 13th, 2009 at 8:40 pm
I think it’s time for a new blog entry! We’re waiting for some more information about what’s going on behind the scenes of Openskies!
June 13th, 2009 at 8:50 pm
We just booked on OpenSkies today for a flight to Paris in November 2009 — hoping British Airways continues to give things a chance until then! After all, most business models call for operations in the red for the first several years. OpenSkies is still quite new by those standards, and it takes time for word to spread sans multimillion dollar marketing campaigns.
One suggestion for your website: The overwhelming majority of travel websites, whether for airline tickets or cruise tickets, price on a per person basis when giving out quotes. Your website quotes prices on a “total” basis for all passengers.
I would *highly* suggest switching your website to quote all pricing on a per person basis until reaching the “final” purchase point of the transaction. For those without a keen eye, they may not realize how good of a deal they are getting and actually think the pricing is much higher than it is.
IE — my one-way trip for two passengers from JFK-ORY was $2,500 total. When I first loaded the page, I assumed the price listed was per person until I read the fine print and realized the fare was just $1,250pp — big difference.
Just a suggestion…couldn’t hurt with attracting more customers with those great fares!
June 17th, 2009 at 2:33 pm
I was eagerly anticipating my flight on Open Skies on June 2, 2009 (#7002 from Kennedy to Paris). I am stunned at my disappointment.
The plane was nothing like the description on the website. The purple seats were uncomfortable and claustrophibic. When the person in front of me reclined his seat, I thought he was going to land in my lap. The woman sitting next to me said that the plane had been changed at the last minute and that we were in an older model that wasn’t quite up to snuff.
I am sorry to say that the crew seemed overwhelmed and quite put out when asked questions (such as “how do the seats work?” “where do you plug in the personal videos that they gave out?” “can I get a second cup of coffee?” “you forgot to bring me sugar,” etc.). Then there is the question of food safety: while the food was quite good, there was a real problem with the temperature. Anything that was supposed to be cold, needed to be cold–not lukewarm. This is not safe for foods like mousses and the like.
All in all a most disappointing experience, especially given the lead-up on the website. The final irony was the magazine at my seat that talked about the idea of Open Skies and the fact that it was conceived as something for those who might be “nostalgic” for the days of the Concorde. If my recent experience was supposed to be something like the Concorde, perhaps its going out of business was understandable.
I am keeping my fingers crossed for my return trip on July 3, but from what I understand, the trips from Paris to NY are less pleasant than the ones
from NY to Paris.
I am certain that the people who work in your offices have the best of intentions and really are trying to do a good job of providing a different sort of
experience. That was certainly the case when I called to request some information. From the things I’ve read on your blog, I do get the feeling that you all are committed to making sure that the customers are satisfied, and this is why I felt compelled to send you this letter. I really did want to be satisfied and I don’t consider myself a “difficult” person, but I was truly surprised by the third-rate flight I took to Paris the other day.
I sent this message to customer relations @ open skies on June 4 and still haven’t had a response. I’m wondering if I’m in another universe…