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Subscribe to RSS FeedOur first OpenSkies plane is in the hangar!
We have our first 757 from BA’s fleet! I’m very excited now that we’ve moved it into the hangar and started to make it ours.
Some of you, like Simon and Interested Traveller have asked about the planes themselves and the seating configuration. How are they going to be different? For starters, we’re removing the plane’s current 180 seats to make way for our new Biz, Prem+, and Economy class seats. We’re also working with Boeing to get sign-off from them on our new 82-seat configuration with more interior room for each guest.
The seats aren’t the only things we’re replacing—we’re adding new carpet, stylish interior décor, and refurbishing the overhead luggage bins. As our guest, you’ll definitely note the attention to detail we’ve paid.
But the makeover isn’t just in the interior. The plane itself is having a full engineering overhaul and a “C” check—which is an in-depth examination of every aspect of the plane’s airframe, engines, electronics, and functions—all done by British Airways Engineering at Heathrow.
What else are we doing? Adding winglets! Aside from giving the plane a really stylish look, the winglets will increase the fuel efficiency up to 5% (which is right in line with our mission to eliminate waste).
And once the plane meets our high criteria, we’ll dress it in the OpenSkies look and colors with a fresh new paint job—and we plan to share pictures of our plane as soon as we can.
As you can tell, I’m really excited about our first plane. I hope you share my enthusiasm—and I’ll update you with more news as it happens.
Dale
March 27th, 2008 at 10:22 am
Hey Dale – I’m excited about seeing the new aircraft too! When will you be about to share some pix!
March 27th, 2008 at 7:55 pm
Dale,
Fine the first 757 is in the hangar but when will it be on the runway ready for take-off? Since there are no 757s on sale (according to Boeing´s website) I presume you will be taking them from the BA fleet. How many will that be?
In the future you will either have to use 767s or are you waiting to put into operation the 787 Dreamliners? This sounds like a more likely option (from 2013??).
The first departure airport is Paris CDG followed by Brussels but after that? Are you thinking of offering more US destinations fron those two airports or is the idea to offer more European gateways to New York?
Being part of ONEWORLD is something you really have to consider as being outside an alliance means you will be no better than “Silverjet”, “Eos” or any of the others who offer an “exclusive product”.
Perhaps I am asking too much as you do not want your competitors to know.
Good luck and keep us up to date – which is more than what the competition does.
Stephen Cryan
March 28th, 2008 at 12:30 pm
What a great move to stay well away from London, BA and the airport terminal that thinks people travel without luggage
Smart thinking, and Paris gets the Entente Amicale part of the noise
March 31st, 2008 at 1:12 pm
The Open Sky agreement officially entered force… nothing to say?
I’m looking forward to the reregulated era. When will you announce your first flight?
April 1st, 2008 at 9:22 am
Dear Dale, While your first plane is in the hangar, I couldn’t help noticing Air France’s first open skies plane is in the air. They started a daily 777-200 from LHR to LAX yesterday 31st March. OK I know it’s not Paris or Brussels or New York, and it’s not BA Openskies, and it’s probably got regular seats, but WTH, its flying. Hope this works for you, but I also hope we don’t miss the boat. Like Stephen, I’m keen to see it on passenger operations. When do bookings open please ? Pete H