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Subscribe to RSS FeedIt’s official! Project Lauren becomes OpenSkies.
Good morning. An exciting day for us all. After months of relentless planning and developing, we’re proud to announce the launch of OpenSkies: the airline formerly known as Project Lauren. For you inquisitive minds, Lauren happens to be the name of my first granddaughter. And, just like Lauren, this airline is very much family to me.
We intend to take our very first flight from New York to either Paris or Brussels in June of this year. We couldn’t be more elated. Witnessing this idea slowly become reality has been a thrilling journey.
As a British Airways enterprise, this truly is history in the making. Open Skies is the moniker for the new agreement between the United States and European Union liberalising aviation. We are now able to fly freely to and from the United States to virtually any destination in the EU—the skies have literally opened over the Atlantic.
Our plan is to operate six aircraft by the end of 2009, originating in the New York area and flying to a range of destinations throughout Europe. The planes will be efficient and proven 757s with a redesigned, traveller-friendly cabin configured in 3 classes: business, premium economy, and economy.
The business class cabin will have 24 seats that convert into 6’ flat beds. And when we say flat, we mean completely horizontal. This makes OpenSkies one of the only airlines in the market offering this feature. We will also offer 28 premium economy seats with a 52” seat pitch. This is also unique, redefining the premium economy class. Plus the comfortable 30 economy seats mean no more than 82 passengers will be on any given aircraft. It’s all part of our vision for a more personal flying experience.
But beyond the specs, I’d like to say that OpenSkies is dedicated to elevated customer care. We will take the lead from British Airways and try new, inventive ways to improve service at all levels. We’d also like for you to tell us your thoughts, your ideas, and—once we take off— tell us how we’re doing. You can start right here with this blog.
Cheers for now,
Dale Moss
Managing Director
January 9th, 2008 at 1:37 pm
The concept sounds exciting but what a disappointing choice of name for a “new” airline.
Is there anybody out there who thinks that “Open Skies” evidences any kind of creativity in airline branding? Who were the people who came up with this?
Why did BA need to introduce a new brand or name in the first place?
January 9th, 2008 at 1:41 pm
Will the flat beds be the older style New Club World seats, the new ones currently seen on mainline 747s or something else entirely? What will the configuration be on the narrow-body 757s when they are currently only used on wide-body aircraft?
The 52″ pitch for Premium Economy sounds very promising – significantly more than the current mainline WT+ offering. Will they be the same seats or a new version?
Will the planes be equipped with video on demand systems too throughout, similar to mainline?
Will the services be operating to JFK where BA have an excellent lounge and terminal setup or EWR where ground services are less attractive?
When can we expect more details on the actual product offering around this very interesting and exciting announcement?
January 9th, 2008 at 2:09 pm
The advent of Open Skies between the US and Europe has been a long time coming.
It is refreshing therefore, to see that of all the carriers who will have the ability to operate between the two continents that British Airways continues to innovate and lead the industry.
Here’s raising a glass for listening to the customer and best wishes for the future!
Cheers!
January 9th, 2008 at 2:36 pm
Can not wait – more competition is needed. My vote is clearly for Paris over Brussels … Good luck // JB
January 9th, 2008 at 2:59 pm
Dear Dale,
This could not be more welcome news. However, as BA have clearly decided to “off-brand” this experience, I am hoping that the service on board will be up to the usual BA standards. Specifically, I hope that in J we will be getting the old “Blues” from the F cabins on the 777’s and 767’s from which they have been removed. In terms of off-branding, an outrageous lounge on the ground at CDG is not highly important to me. Comfort and the ability to work on board however is critical. Easy check in is also a must.
While I am excited about the opening of T5, I must admit that I am cyncial about its ability to solve many typical LHR problems (I would have been more excited about a third runway). However, a direct flight to JFK from CDG should solve many of the challenges that I would otherwise face as an LHR transit pax.
Finally, as an American, I am somewhat embarrassed to suggest that the crews be British. Your F and J cabin crew are the best in the western world. Please don’t change them. You should think about creating a new “back to back” for them. Outbound from LHR, a RT on Open Skies followed by an inbound back into LHR.
Good luck with this project. Given the constraints of LHR, it must succeed for BA to remain as relevant as AF and LH. I look forward to further updates. Henry
January 9th, 2008 at 3:14 pm
Dear Dale and team,
I think this could be an excellent new airline, I think Openskies (BA) are wise to get into this new market early. Although a premium service akin to BA is being offered will the prices be competitive with the all business class airlines operating from some of the UK’s alternative airports? (eg. London Luton)
Are the B757’s going to be new or existing aircraft from BA’s fleet?
I look forward to seeing the airline develop,
Best Wishes
Simon
January 9th, 2008 at 3:31 pm
Wellcome in France, the country of taste. Will you serve us you so English food on board or will you try to upgrade.
Good luck and bon appétit
January 9th, 2008 at 3:36 pm
I think this is a superb idea and as a loyal flyer of BA wish OpenSkies all the best for the future and the start of what I’m sure will be a very successful venture.
January 9th, 2008 at 3:58 pm
Hi,
As an aviation enthousiast from Brussels Airport and a fan from British Airways, this is very good news. I really like British Airways and I’m quite sure this airlines will have the same succes as BA.
Thanks to the Open Skies Agreement made in april 2007 this is finally possible which is very good news for EU airlines and US airlines.
I hope your airline will be a geat succes!
Yannick De Bel – BELGIUM
January 9th, 2008 at 4:10 pm
Hi.. what will you be providing in terms of In Flight Entertainment?
January 9th, 2008 at 4:33 pm
Hi,
It’s been reported you won’t join oneworld. What is the reasoning behind that?
Thanks
Henk Ombelet
January 9th, 2008 at 4:40 pm
Just what New York needs…another airline going to Europe. Never ceases to amaze me that with numerous cities in the U.S. with a population greater than one million that would gladly support new European service, that these carriers continue to ply the overcrowded, overly competitive NY market…no thanks. Give me Houston, Dallas, Atlanta, Charlotte, Miami, Orlando or anywhere else to connect but NY.
January 9th, 2008 at 4:43 pm
Great to see BA be the first to take on this idea, and ‘Openskies’ is a very wise name to use (Given the link to the openskies agreement)- so whenever we hear ‘openskies’ we’ll automatically think of this airline.
I can’t wait to see you flying, but maybe in a different livery????? Keep the tailfin, but change it to different shades of silver/grey. It will look much more elegant that way.
Best of luck!!!
January 9th, 2008 at 5:27 pm
Hi
What’s the planned level of integration with BA? Frequent flier program? Reservations? Lounges? etc.
Good luck!
Dave
January 9th, 2008 at 5:47 pm
In a time where the environment is the key issue I am still amazed about how airlines are wasting more and more fuel on less and less seats in a plane….. How does this fit in the view of airlines to be carbon efficient and green!
January 9th, 2008 at 6:10 pm
Great idea. So will Open Skies be a part of Executive Club and One World?
Also, just a thought – 5 months to launch and no personnel or firm routes in place yet?
January 9th, 2008 at 6:11 pm
Hi,
Great to hear about the airline; just one question though – will flyers on openskies flights be able to collect BA Executive Club miles & tier points?
January 9th, 2008 at 6:20 pm
Hello!
Congratulations! Good job getting this all up and running.
I was just wondering why the aircraft choice was to retrofit the 757 (although very reliable), rather than launching slightly later in the year, but with a new 787?
Thanks
January 9th, 2008 at 6:29 pm
I’m looking forward to flying with OpenSkies, which I anticipate will offer a much better service than eg Air France. I’m hoping that in due course OpenSkies will join OneWorld. It would be a great combination.
January 9th, 2008 at 6:46 pm
Congratulations to you on starting up the new airline – an even I rate as the most exciting in the European airline industry in the last few years. I wish blue skies and tailwinds for you and your passengers.
January 9th, 2008 at 6:47 pm
It’s exciting to see that “Project Lauren” is finally going to become a reality. It is also interesting to see that only a day or two ago Virgin dropped their plans to offer a competing service.
Will the 757s be retrofitted ex-BA aircraft? And will part of the recently-announced BA order for 787s be destined for Open Skies? Efficiency will be paramount for success in this niche market.
I, like many others, will be watching to see how the route structure will develop & which destinations will be picked.
January 9th, 2008 at 8:05 pm
OpenSkies will most definately become a hit in the US! Once the subsidary has grown larger however, other destinations should be served rather than solely New York. Try to operate at places that are either no greatly served to Paris or other European destinations. Detroit for example has service to Paris on NW and AF. Added service with OpenSkies would most likely boost tourism from Detroit to Paris. It would also bring down fares, which is always a good thing
January 9th, 2008 at 9:02 pm
Cool name. I like it. However, NYC is a very oversaturated market though. It would have been more nice if the flights were to other US cities that doesn’t have service. I wish Open Skies the best of luck and hope British Airways look at other markets besides the big ones (NYC, WAS) like RDU, CLT, PIT, BDL, CMH, or PVD..
January 9th, 2008 at 9:06 pm
Ohh.. One more thing. I think British Airways is doing a great thing.. but can you make the tail logo different from your British Airways logo since this is in essence a different airline? I think the OpenSkies tail logo should be completely different from British Airiways and something representing freedom, new horizons, or new possibilites…
January 9th, 2008 at 9:32 pm
I’ve been waiting for a Boston-Brussels flight for years…please put that one on your list!!!
January 9th, 2008 at 10:25 pm
I am quite please to hear about BA expanding beyond LHR. This should give AF a run for its money. Paris is run by a one airline group monopoly and has some of the dearest tickets out there. However, I feel that OpenSkies will be marginal unless there are connections onward. I guess BA is taking babysteps and it’s too early to talk about expansion, but I hope this is on the table. Perhaps make Milan a hub. That city is woefully under served and now tha the stock exchanges of London and Milan have merged, maybe this is the perfect opportunity to jump on this.
January 9th, 2008 at 10:38 pm
There are currently no non-stop flights between Hawaii and Europe. European visitors to Hawaii are growing and Hawaii residents like to travel. There is also a significant european expatriate population. Glad to see the open skies agreement coming into effect in March. And good luck to OpenSkies.
January 9th, 2008 at 10:43 pm
Great news – NYC may be well served, but the quality of product from the US airlines is v.poor (although they are upgrading). You have the lounges in place, so link it in to Executive Club and you are sorted. Keep it wholly BA – please don’t do a repeat of the “go” effort and make it seperate.
January 9th, 2008 at 10:54 pm
Please consider a Boston route; I suspect the traffic warrants it, certainly judging by the flights I take! I agree that completely flat seats (horizontal) are essential — the flat-but-tilted seats are much harder to sleep in. In response to the person pointing out that this is definitely less “green,” perhaps you could offer offsets directly — pay for your ticket, pay for an offset at the same time. Just a thought!
January 9th, 2008 at 11:18 pm
Congratulations for getting this far! As someone who works between Europe and the US East Coast, this is welcome news indeed. The market is certainly prime for the innovation you promise to bring and I look forward to hearing, and hopefully being involved with, the planning and development of what promises to be an exciting service across the Atlantic. Best Wishes.
January 9th, 2008 at 11:20 pm
Any plans for a JFK-GLA flight? Belive it or not there is currently no link between these airports, with Glasgow’s only link to New York being CO to EWR, GLA is crying out for a JFK service.
January 9th, 2008 at 11:49 pm
Congratulations and good luck!
As a shareholder, I hope that this venture will be a success.
I look forward to seeing more details regarding the seats, interior and service and wonder how different/similar it will be to the current BA long haul products. How about a little more leg room in Y? The PE leg room is excellent and the improved service levels for this class provided by that other large UK long haul carrier (no name!) should be considered.
Finally, I hope that there will be BA Miles and tier point opportunities to encourage French and Belgian travellers to consider BA for travel to other destinations.
January 10th, 2008 at 1:11 am
Will the cabin crew be english cabin crew or locally recruited as id love to work for this new airline. im sure infromation will be released in due course.
January 10th, 2008 at 4:31 am
Congratulations on your launch, though I’d echo a sentiment from above that you’re pretty scant on detail (at least publicly) for a June launch (surely you’d want to start selling tickets in the next month or so?)!
The opportunity to give members of the public the opportunity to comment in such an open way is really exciting. It provides a fantastic source of ideas for you (if you can dedicate the resources to sorting the wheat from the chaff!) and could work really well, especially if you are able to demonstrate that ideas are being embraced and incorporated into your airline concept.
A few initial thoughts, rather general at this stage:
- Oneworld participation and BA lounge/FF participation is essential, especially to pick up the premium traffic which you are obviously focussing on.
- As you would know, both Paris and Brussels have very significant levels of flights to/from New York (the latter has seen a massive recent increase to JFK and EWR with Jet Airways’ outstanding product) so product differentiation is critical. I would suggest Paris’ market is bigger and may be a safer choice to start.
- Ensure from the outset that your website, cabin staff and ground personnel are conversant in French (and dutch if operating to Brussels). This is an important issue in these markets
- Possible dedicated terminal at origin and destination (a la Silverjet) or some sort of dedicated fast-track facility in main terminals. Having such a product in the market COMBINED with worldwide alliance connectivity, frequent flyers etc would be an unbeatable combination in my view. No reason why such a product couldn’t also be offered to economy class passengers (a great selling point), especally given your overall aircraft config is still rather small.
Good luck!
January 10th, 2008 at 5:22 am
Big yup-di-du do over nothing!
Anyone can lease a 757, hype upcoming route from XYZ to ZYX with onboard service to possibly match BA’s and add media slick nonsense of sticking on winglets to calm CO2 worriers (70 nautical mile range increase)
Very disappointed to see a top-notch company test the waters in such an amateur way.
(Let’s try it and if it doesn’t work we can fold the company without any BA commitment)
I would love to see BA fly say PHL-BFS, I believe they could do so successfully, but very disappointed to see such an experiment shrouded in corporate name hiding, lack of leadership responsibility and financial shinaginagins.
If BA is 100% behind this venture why not put you money where your mouth is and just increase your routes.
Granted due to crew/staff being US based some differentiation may be required. i.e. BA USA etc
Respectfully submitted.
January 10th, 2008 at 7:35 am
Finally an airline recognises that standards have slipped in the TATL market.
January 10th, 2008 at 9:02 am
I congratulate BA on the new project and wish the UK company the best in this endeavour.
Since the fleet will be composed of 757’s, I was wondering whether there might be, in the future, the possibility of linking the city of Torino, Italy, with the US.
No American airline, not to mention Alitalia, has so far shown interest in this route, but many citizens have several reasons to believe that it would be a success.
Please do consider it!. It would be great to read your feedback on this matter. Thanks and all the best!
January 10th, 2008 at 9:14 am
Please consider a route between San Francisco and Amsterdam!!! KLM is terrible!
Flying through Heathrow is also terrible and the terminal change by bus makes it better to tolerate KLM direct on this route.
Cheers,
Thomas
January 10th, 2008 at 10:03 am
Nice to see something new being tried, but isn’t BA competing with itself? Why use the new service rather then the standard BA offering?
January 10th, 2008 at 10:42 am
I think it is absolutely extraordinary to launch a BA airline which will not need to go through the hassle of LHR. I could very much use the combination of the superb service BA is famous for, with flying directly from Madrid, whenever that time comes.
Wish Open Skies Godspeed!!!
January 10th, 2008 at 10:42 am
I think the idea of BA going directly to Europe is a great idea. As a banker in London I am familiar with the BA New York services (a monthly commuter LHR/JFK). My colleagues in Europe have a service that is currently inferior to BA. However I am concerned that the airline is distancing itself away from the BA brand, why not just call itself BA Open Skies, and have identical products which are already the best in the air. The Club World brand is superb, why confuse the customers! I also worry that the crews will be US based, no offence to fellow Americans but US cabin crews are all terrible compared to most of the BA crews I meet. Keep the British/European crew on board!
January 10th, 2008 at 11:25 am
I wish you the very best of luck and hope that this venture doesn’t GO the way of previous BA dabbles.
Just a slight point – the speedwing on your render picture on the home page is back to front. Is this deliberate or just a small missed detail?
Also, will the new venture be able to fly ETOPS routes from the offset or will the passengers have to put up with longer flight times for a while?
January 10th, 2008 at 11:48 am
Congratulations! I am looking forward to learning more about the airline as the inaugural flight draws nearer.
I am sure you are trying to consider every last detail of the new service you will offer, and I wanted to offer a suggestion/request. I think that carefully selected music playing during boarding can enhance the customer’s experience, and I haven’t noticed many airlines who pay attention to such a minor detail. It helps to set the tone of the flight, and I hope it is a detail you will carefully consider.
Best wishes on the new “baby”!
January 10th, 2008 at 1:12 pm
Perhaps the comments system might need a little refining. There only appears to be people agreeing with you on your own website. What a shock.
January 10th, 2008 at 1:38 pm
I was reading on another travel website that you plan to use refurbished Club World fully flat bed seats from the current 747, rather than the latest iteration of “new” Club World fully flat bed seats. Is this true?
Also, when are we likely to see this new Premium Economy Class – with a category leading 52″ seat pitch.
Will the aircraft be fitted with AVOD Video On Demand in all classes, or will it be regular scrolling programming with seat back TVs for all?
Will we be able to use BA Miles to purchase flights, and is Open Skies to be part of oneworld reciprocity for miles earning and burning, and elite status perks such as bonus miles and lounge access?
Finally, might this concept be rolled out in future to nonUS “long and thin” destinations such as the oil routes and India?
This is a great development from BA, both for Europeans and New Yorkers, and I wish it every success.
January 10th, 2008 at 1:57 pm
Will OPEN SKIES be a part of BA’s frequent flyer program andwill premium economy ave 5 or 6 across seating or do you know at this point? Also, when will oyu know whether it is Brussels or Paris and which NYC airport?—I’m excited even from Dallas!
January 10th, 2008 at 2:06 pm
I’m so pleased to see that BA is taking the lead on the new routes. What is interesting is the new seat pitch for WTP. I’d be interested to see how the pricing model reflects this in relation to all business class flights from the UK to NYC (as someone else has stated). However I’d be more likely to fly BAs WTP with that sort of seat pitch than on (what is actually more comfortable product) the Virgin Atlantic premium economy if the pricing is still comparable with today’s WTP price model. I prefer BA’s Club World product over other business class products, but not the old ‘blue’ Club World. It is a bit dissappointing that OpenSkies is being launched with the old tatty seats. I’ve just returned from a return flight to the US which had the old product and it is dated and worn, with a lot of technical things in the seats not working; not an enjoyable trip and I feel this lets the airline down. I hope BA will review this and launch with a bang or risk being left behind when more competition is launched. Go BA!
January 10th, 2008 at 3:03 pm
Great News!
I just hope that they will open a MXP-JFK connection for winter 2008/2009, maybe in code share with the new AA service.
Here, after Alitalia treason, we are all waiting for a substitute airline who gives us the service that we deserve.
I sincerely hope that this service will have a good success.
January 10th, 2008 at 5:49 pm
I wish OpenSkies all the best for the future!!!!
Love to see more flights out of Brussels (Boston,…).
Hope they will hire Belgian Flight Attendants! They are very good service minded and have a big language knowledge (Dutch,French and English), ideal for the flights to Paris also!
Let’s cross our fingers!!!
January 10th, 2008 at 6:36 pm
Great News, hope this is the beginning of a far greather projecto to include point-to-point service to secondary cities such as Barcelona – USA, Manchester – USA, Nice – USA, Milan – USA etc…I have doubt about using old 757-200 for this operation, should’nt you be considering the new 787 (a far more efficient and modern aircraft – of which you (as BA) have ordered several)? I also agree, with many readers, tha your Lounges are great, and you have most in US airports already, but vital is you maintaining the great “British Airways” onboard service, and of course flat-beds, onboard computer capable seats, as well as great inflight entertainment.
Keep up the good work, I look forward to trying out “Open Skies”…
January 10th, 2008 at 7:26 pm
Welcome to the blogosphere! It’s great to see another airline actively blogging and the folks at the Southwest Airlines Blog Team wish you the best of success!
Brian
January 10th, 2008 at 7:48 pm
Congratulations !
I donot think that you need to join oneworld , however current BA Executive Club members would expect their usual tier points and mileage accrual .
One issue that comes to mind with only 2 aircraft is reliability . Disruption happens and MaxJet suffered the consequences of not having a robust plan to cover these events .
I am very interested in the new Premium Economy service . Will it have an enhanced food offering ? I look forward to seeing pictures soon of the 3 cabins .
Pricing on these routes will be interesting to discover and if comparable with L”avion out of Paris par example , you may see some of us from London taking the train to the plane !
Good Luck
January 10th, 2008 at 8:21 pm
I’ll have to think of a new name for London Airways now that they are commencing serving Europe from JFK.
It’s pathetic that the so called “British” Airways ignore their UK passengers outside London.
I couldn’t care less whether this venture is successful or not.
If anything British “London” Airways should use the aircraft from London to samller US cities which are not served direct. Oh forgot no slots!!
January 10th, 2008 at 9:42 pm
Why is the ‘Speedmarque’ flying backwards on the Open Skies B757-200 ?
January 10th, 2008 at 11:01 pm
Congratulations on ‘Open Skies’. Lets hope it fairs better than BA’s other off brand ventures GO and Connect but if not then I’m sure Stellios will be happy to buy into the transatlantic routes.
January 11th, 2008 at 7:13 am
Please explain why BA does not just fly new routes?
January 11th, 2008 at 10:04 am
Good to see this increased long haul point-to-point offering so quickly after the open skies agreement. However, I am wondering how a route as BRU-JFK will be able to compete to the offering from Jet Aiways, Continental, American and Delta who all fly wide body aircraft at lower seat cost. Would this be the first evening flight to the US out of BRU? That would certainly be a key differentiation factor.
January 11th, 2008 at 12:33 pm
Please explain why BA does not just fly new routes?
totally agree with this comment…e.g. Stuttgart. Last big place in Germany still without a flight to NYC. And such a big premium market…those 757s would be perfect for this route…
January 11th, 2008 at 3:47 pm
First off, I agree with the first blogger that this is “a disappointing choice of name for a “new” airline”. They absolutely should have kept “BA” someone in the name. How about BA Europe? Not very imaginative, but very descriptive.
Secondly, I believe this is a huge business mistake; a big waste of time and money. The reality is the airline industry is extremely cut-throat and the competition is tough on routes even when you fly from your own hub to a spoke city. But when you fly a route that does not connect to one of your hubs and you throw in the fact that you’ll be competing against US and EU carriers that have do have a hub on at least one end of the route, it’s just suicide. As a matter of fact, in the case of NYC-CDG, AF/DL has a hub on each end of the route through Skyteam.
BA would do better to invest the time and money into obtaining anti-trust immunity with American Airlines. Once that occurs, they could enter into an agreement similar to the AF/DL agreement that effectively allows the carriers to share profits over the Atlantic. At that point, they could place the BA code on AA flights from CDG to NYC and even provide online service beyond NYC, capturing connecting traffic as well as local traffic. Even if AA’s service levels are considered inferior, it would be a much less risky venture.
January 11th, 2008 at 4:24 pm
I love the “premium economy” concept-and think it is the wave of the future. Using frequent Flyer miles to upgrade to Biz class has gotten impossible (at least here at DFW on AA) – as such, Premium-Economy is a viable alternative.
I’m pretty there is a chunk of market segment out there that’s willing to pay a few extra hundred or so -for a more comfortable seat. I hope openskies puts DFW on it’s list of potential future markets.
January 11th, 2008 at 9:12 pm
Love the idea, but the name is cheesy. Also the font is horrible, reminds me of the Thai budget carrier Orient Thai, complete with a grey belly and their BA-esque tail. I did a quick-and-dirty livery concept.
[IMG]http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e164/vc-10/Speedbird.jpg[/IMG]
I think that the name ‘Speedbird’ would be much better, as would the presence of the Speedmarque on the forward fuselage. This would re-iterate that this is associated with BA, as it is hard to see the tail fin of an aircraft at the gate. I wish you every success, but please change the livery. (though the winglets look great, I hope they make their way onto the non-Laurened fleet aswell!)
January 12th, 2008 at 2:20 pm
Although I do like the name of ‘open skies’, I dont understand why it was needed. British Airways is a name known for its quality, why not just keep it? The idea of traveling from New York to Paris i think is a great idea though. No more HAVING to go through London. Hope this works out.
January 12th, 2008 at 3:10 pm
I have to disagree with some of the folks on this board. The plan to start a hub at Brussels and Paris is quite wise and I will tell you why.
Regarding BRU, that city and country lack a true international carrier with decent transatlantic connections (Brussels Airlines, no disrespect intended, is a joke). If BRU can be a focus cities, that would solidify BA’s presence and perhaps dominance on the BRU-NYC runs and add other cities such as BRU-IAD, BRU-ORD, BRU-LAX, or BRU-YYZ. These would certainly be profitable business and leisure routes.
Concerning CDG, Paris is literally is a one-airline town. BA’s OpenSkies would bring choice and competition to AF’s fortress.
However, I have to reiterate that the point-to-point service is OK for the short term. Longer term, BA would be wise to consider connections onward. LHR doesn’t have to be the end-all, be-all. I fly BA because of convenient connects (for me at least) to LIN and other points in Italy(although having to take a bus to LGW for some flights is truly shambolic). Perhaps OpenSkies can establish mini-hubs at Manchester, Glasgow, Shannon, and a fortress at MXP, a truly underserved market.
January 12th, 2008 at 10:27 pm
Sounds like a great plan to me.
Consistency of experience and service would be a great value to strive for to help achieve success. Also important is delivering on promises and trying hard not to overpromise and thus create unrealistic expectations.
Surely most people would prefer 10 good interactions/experiences than routinely average ones with sporadic excellent ones?
The airline industry seems almost unique in its ability to engender such emotions as entitlement among its customers. The posts imploring you to pursue oneworld membership/frequent flier schemes/connections/flights from regional airports as priorities seem to miss the point of what you are hoping to achieve.
Consistent, excellent service should always be more important than the showering of miles/points, to those passengers you are truly seeking.
I wish you every success with pushing the boundaries.
January 13th, 2008 at 4:09 am
It’s nice to see OpenSkies use this blog. Given the launch nature of the carrier, I also wonder if you might want to consider having moderated forums as well. That would allow potential customers enhanced abilities to provide feedback and to segregate that information by topic. I’d also suggest that when you launch the full website you post full seat maps and terminal maps. The latter will be important for those who might need to connect onward given that OpenSkies itself will not initially offer onward service.
I look forward to seeing more information as you near launch.
January 13th, 2008 at 6:43 am
I hate to be a stickler, but isn’t ‘Open Skies’ the name of the Emirates Airline inflight magazine?
January 14th, 2008 at 2:37 am
After reading the background and the message from the MD Mr. Moss, I found that OpenSkies also possesses an open mind! I will not benefit a lot from the new airline since I live in Asia, but I’m excited to hear the birth of a seemingly innovative airline. 82 pax in a transatlantic flight sounds attractive! A new, elevated level of customer service is also mentioned. I’m looking forward to try all these products.
January 14th, 2008 at 8:38 am
“one of the only airlines in the market”
Shurely shome mishtake?
You can be the “only” airline to offer the service, but it’s physically (and probably even existentially) challenging to be one of n airlines, “n” equally – by definition in this case – a numerical value of 1,
January 14th, 2008 at 12:47 pm
I was wondering when will BA start blogging…after seeing the Southwest Airlines blog. Good to see, Dale Moss taking the lead. Please add blogroll (a list of blogs that BA reads and admires) and feed (for readers to subscribe to this blog).
January 14th, 2008 at 1:17 pm
I hate to be a stick in the mud, but as a BA advocate, what was up with sticking to the tried, tested and respected British Airways name? Open Skies is horrible and has massively cheapend the BA brand.
January 14th, 2008 at 1:22 pm
Does anyone know where they will recruit for crew will it be US or UK crew?
January 14th, 2008 at 2:52 pm
To me there is no clear and distinct proposition in the description of what this airline offers v any competitor out there…..I would think this was a spoof ifit wasn’t on the BA site and backed up by so much comment…what does everyone else think ?
January 14th, 2008 at 3:35 pm
I wish you all the best – hopefully this venture will be a success ! But “Open Skies” ???? I hope you didn’t spend too much money on agency fees Dale. It lacks imagination and I reckon you’ve gone with an ‘obvious’ name – so the American market don’t get confused.
January 14th, 2008 at 7:45 pm
I totally agree with Wil,
The potential at the BRU airport is enormous.
This airport lacks a decent home-carrier since the scandalous bankruptcy of Sabena in November 2001 and is since then an empty place.
BRU lies in the center of Europe and therefore an opportunity exists which I believe arrives only once in a lifetime for a new carrier.
Starting a hub at ORY or CDG will be that more difficult due to the dominent position of Air France the same is true at AMS with KLM.
I wish Open Skies all the best
January 17th, 2008 at 6:35 pm
I hope this manages to blast the very pretentious Eos out of the water. Am sure it will.
January 19th, 2008 at 3:55 am
Is this a response to Air France going to lhr? well good look anyway.
January 20th, 2008 at 4:31 am
Will you guys be joining Oneworld in the near future like your parent airline British Airways?
January 20th, 2008 at 1:48 pm
What a good idea, and such a shame that the airline will not be in Oneworld. The idea of additional competition under open skies is a good one and I have great hopes for the future of these airlines. The great shame for me is the gradual reduction in the one world benefits, having lost BA Regional (as was BRAL and Brymon – an excellent airline) to the rubbish Flybe, we are now seeing the launch of the BA european arm as non-one world. What a shame. In any instance the future has been fading since the loss of Swiss to the more visible STAR. Come on guys, lets see some retention of the better of the alliances and rethink the decision not to be in oneworld.
January 21st, 2008 at 9:10 pm
OpenSkies is a great venture by British Airways and is the right step for an industry that is just (and slowly) liberalising and opening itself up to true market forces.
An ambitious venture, it will be most interesting to see how OpenSkies will position itself in the European market and what it can leverage from BA’s market power and dominance in the transatlantic market.
Oh, and on a personal note, I hope you have some graduate openings on your careers site soon!
January 22nd, 2008 at 1:24 am
This is good. I hope the BA miles are code shared!!!
They should have gyms in the lounge so flyers can get a work out in. Could limit access to only gold members or even have a membership fee to access a gym. Maybe Terminal 5 will have one.
January 22nd, 2008 at 10:42 am
This new airline sounds absolutely great. Have you considered flying to smaller, non-congested airports such as London City and Rotterdam (NL)? Business travellers will love it, because it’s much faster, and such routes currently don’t exist. I am afraid though, LCY’s runways are a bit short for a B757.
January 22nd, 2008 at 4:15 pm
What a splendid idea. I grew up in the Orient and always flew with BOAC (now British Airways) and was always pleased with the service and excited to fly with them. I now look forward to the experience of being an applicant hoping to join Open Skies new Cabin Crew team as you launch your new service. I do wish to comment on some previous postings from fellow contributors to this site: American Crews can, and have proven to be very gracious and understanding of the very best in customer service- it is about who they are, not nationality. Thank you
January 24th, 2008 at 8:28 am
Great Idea, As America and Europe verges on recession is this the right time to launch a predominantly premium service? I think its certainly a challenge. Will the new airline work with the travel trade in the US and Europe…
I also think you need to be different now. I think OS will be attacked on all sides by giants like Air France / KLM & the Luftwaffe..i expect this will put alot of pressure on the prem economy yields to remain high as this will be the discernable difference from those carriers. How do you propose to deal with that?
While i agree with the name, i do think reference to BA is a little too strong. Keeping the Chatham Dockyard tail design is good enough but the presence of the BA name on the fuselage is a little too much for it to gain its own identity quickly.
January 24th, 2008 at 10:22 pm
Congratulations! Good job getting this all up and running.
January 25th, 2008 at 6:18 am
It would be so cool to add mood lighting like virgin america to the aircraft. the uniforms that british airways is great, i wonder how it would look like.
January 25th, 2008 at 2:42 pm
Airasia in asia started small as well.
Good luck to OpenSkies and wish I’ll boarding one in the future
January 27th, 2008 at 11:47 am
I love ‘OpenSkies’; it has that Linuxy feel to it, and it’s certainly pleasing to see that an airline is taking to blogging to tap into the collective ideas of its clients and fans. Not that I’ve ever flown BA
(You guys don’t fly to KTM/VNKT, and our only European connection, Austrian, stopped coming. So I’m bummed).
I love how the newer players (I’m thinking Virgin America as well) are still interested in getting the fun and class back to flying. Excellent start!
January 27th, 2008 at 7:17 pm
Let’s hope this will be the first of many travel companies undertaking their jump into corporate blogging. Good luck, and let’s see some images in them posts!
January 27th, 2008 at 10:25 pm
Looks good!
A brand with the reputation that BA has flying on the routes that suit more people. What’s more we’ll have the added piece of mind of being looked after by true professionals just like the pilots who saved the day at Heathrow a few weeks ago…excellent!
January 28th, 2008 at 1:17 pm
Your Airline sounds great Dale!!
How long beofre you get some bigger airplanes, like B777’s in?
Nick
January 28th, 2008 at 2:41 pm
I back what Jon above says. Think Scotland. It is only served by that nightmare which is more commonly known as Continental.
As I am sure you already know there used to be one 757 doing JFK/GLA daily but that was taken out of service some time ago – and flights were pretty much full all the time. When checking in at 1stClass once at JFK I was told by the agent that the GLA flight was almost always full and she couldn’t understand why it was taken off. Can I now suggest that you choose EDI as it is now busier than GLA
February 2nd, 2008 at 10:26 pm
MXP-JFK (or EWR if there’s no room) is becoming more urgent by the day, and there should be plenty of MXP slots available now. Any chance of a move up the priority list?
February 4th, 2008 at 11:01 pm
hi! I read with pleasure about your plan.
I hope that you will fly from torino in future because it seems forgot by all the airlines company..for the first flight I will try to fly from paris or brussel to see what’s new…bye roby
February 5th, 2008 at 6:09 am
HI Dale and team,
I am very excited to hear about this project you guys are working on. I am an avid customer of BA and always fly the JFK-LHR-BRU route. If this would work out you guys would have me for life. I love the staff, the service, the lounge and everything that is part of the BA experience. I wanted to know if this airline would work with the Executive Club and all or part of it’s pro’s and con’s? Will the planes be a newer fresher design?
How many weekly flights are planned and will they be from JFK or from EWR, which as mentioned above is not as strong as JFK.
Thanks for this and I am looking forward to this new service.
Thanks
A loyal BA freind
E.
February 11th, 2008 at 3:25 am
Dear Open Skies Launch Staff:
I have been a fan of BA since the first time I flew on BA years ago. As a former flight attendant I remember working in the premium cabin of the plane. I love it good luck
February 20th, 2008 at 6:55 pm
BA whined the loudest against Open Skies and now they are calling Project Lauren “Open Skies” !!
If a world recession hits us, as it now appears to be rooting in the USA, this will be a bad time to launch this BA product.
February 22nd, 2008 at 2:03 pm
I am a BA frequent flyer and wish you the best luck!
But, please consider a route from Italy to the USA!
Milano or Bologna will be great!
March 14th, 2008 at 1:55 am
I think a route to Italy would be fantastic. BA is a great airline and Italy would be a perfect route.
May 29th, 2008 at 10:53 am
Deberíais traducir la web a más idiomas como el español que es uno de los más hablados. Por lo demás, felicitaros por la web y el proyecto