Hello. We’re OpenSkies.
And here’s what we’re up to.
OpenSkies is a unique, low fare, all business airline that offers guests superior service, competitive fares and an exceptional value. OpenSkies flies non-stop from New York (Newark) to Paris (Orly), carrying only 84 passengers per flight. Choose between two cabins with a 2x2 configuration. Biz Seat cabin has comfortable, wide seats that recline 140° and Biz Bed cabin has seats that convert into 180° fully flat beds. Innovative features onboard include personal entertainment systems, universal power outlets in every seat and freshly prepared meals served with fine wines.
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Subscribe to RSS FeedGo ahead, ask away part 5
I love reading through the comments section and seeing your thoughts and questions.
Panagis and Geri brought up the question about access to the BA Lounges. It may not seem like it, but lounge access is significant cost. We’ve been discussing our policy, examining how to balance providing you the best benefits at the best possible price. As of right now, all Biz Seat and Biz Bed cabins have lounge access in Paris and Newark. I’ll keep you up-to-date on any new developments.
Stephen Cryan had a slew of good questions. He was interested in knowing if, even in the economic downturn, OpenSkies is on its way to achieving its business objective.
Our original plan called for profitability when we start our fourth year of operation. Like most businesses, we didn’t foresee the depth of difficulty of the past year. We’re recasting our business plan to address today’s reality and can’t predict a timeline for profitability just yet.
The good news is there is a demand for comfort and quality at a low cost, especially in times like these. It’s what’s enabled us to capture 25% of the Paris market in just 9 months. We’re in a good position for when the markets and economies bounce back.
Stephen also brings up the fact that a lot of people think it’s a good idea for us to expand our network.
We’ve stuck with being a point-to-point carrier because it kept our business simple and streamlined. But the recession has taught us a lot. While point-to-point is our “sweet spot,” it doesn’t have to be our exclusive spot. So over the next handful of months, we’ll be exploring the possibility of expanding our reach to cities beyond our gateways. I’ll definitely let you know what we find out.
So make sure to visit this blog often.
Dale
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Go ahead, ask away part 4
We’ve gotten some great questions over the past weeks. I wanted to take time to answer a few.
First, both Patrick and Orian were wondering why they don’t see more OpenSkies ads in more magazines, newspapers, or on TV.
We’ve built OpenSkies for people who desire the best in business class comfort at the best possible price. Like the recent promotion celebrating our one-year anniversary, we focus our message in places geared to our customers. We don’t mass market. It’s wasteful, and we’re not.
Jerome was curious about our policy on pet travel. The simple answer: pets are great! We welcome cats and dogs to fly with their owners in the Biz Seat cabin. To find out how to book a ticket for a pet, visit our website.
With the news regarding British Airways selling some of the 757s, Christopher wondered what it meant for us. I’ve touch on this topic in an earlier post. The fact that BA has chosen to sell their aircraft has never been a bother for us and we continue to have their full support. As for when the time comes for us to expand our fleet, we’ve researched the market for 757s and feel confident that there are plenty out there that fit our future growth needs. So there is no need to read anything else in the BA announcement. It works for them and us.
As for Stacey’s difficulty contacting us, our phone lines are sometimes busy due to a lot of calls. We go through our emails daily and respond as quickly as possible. If you like, you can email us at concierge@flyopenskies.com with your phone number and a request to call you. We definitely will!
Check back soon. And keep the questions coming!
Dale
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OpenSkies to Refocus Business Efforts on Paris – New York Route
Today we announced the suspension of our Amsterdam service effective August 16th. No question it is disappointing news. We tried very hard to make it, but the current market forces were just a bit too difficult. Seeing the market reduce in size so significantly, so quickly, without any indication of improvement, made our decision straightforward. Disappointed yes, but discouraged? Absolutely not! We know we have the business product for the future and are confident we will have our day. But for now we need to manage our business as all small businesses do, by prudently managing resources.
Years ago a fellow Fordham University alumni, Vince Lombardi said that none of his teams ever lost a game, but sometimes they just ran out of time. That applies here for Amsterdam. My most sincere wish is that someday OpenSkies will return to Amsterdam and make it another signature route.
I want to thank all the customers who flew with us and the travel trade and corporate community who supported us. I also want to thank all the authorities at Schiphol Airport who helped us enormously during our time there. Everyone treated us very well.
This change gives us the chance to continue to build on the success we have developed on our Paris route. In just over 2 years we have gained over 25% market share. We have done it with a much better product at a much better price. Why do people love OpenSkies? Some customers say it’s the feel they get when they board our planes and see the special seating configuration. For others perhaps it’s the great personalized service that our staff consistently delivers. Or maybe it’s the 10 minute boarding and de-boarding of the aircraft which is another nice convenience, and I know there are so many more.
So we will ride this challenging time out this winter, building on our strengths and waiting for market indications of improvement. We stand ready for charters and new route opportunities and can rally resources in a most surprisingly quick fashion. Our team has a number of scenarios planned for further growth and development but the times call for a more conservative approach at the moment, so we await our signs from the market.
After being in this business more years than I care to admit, I know one thing…it will get better. Perhaps we are seeing some signs of that now with the Dow in the US rising above 9,000 for the first time since January. But I also know this…the cycle we are in now is more extreme and likely to produce some different results than in cycles past. The days of conspicuous consumption as we have seen for the past decade or so are probably over. Perhaps it’s the optimist in me that says OpenSkies is positioned very well to take full advantage of a recovery as people search for better products at better prices.
I welcome your comments.
Dale
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Something to celebrate. One year flying.
It’s been a while since my last update, but I’m back in the swing of it. And the good news is I’ve got some great news to share. We’re marking our one-year anniversary!
As those of you who’ve been following the blog know, a lot of hard work went into making our first year such a success. We launched OpenSkies in record time, partnered with L’Avion to strengthen our offerings, and added the first all-business class Amsterdam-NYC route. When other airlines increased their costs and reduced their capacity, we increased our capacity and reduced costs. Over the year, our market share has grown and there are few empty seats. That means a healthy airline.
In the past twelve months, we’ve welcomed 92,000 passengers aboard our flights. That’s a solid feat for a new airline, even in the best of times. We’ve not only endured during a tough economy, we’ve continue to show improvements every month. Why? Because we truly are a unique airline whose time has come. All business class, all the time—and at an exceptional value.
It feels pretty good to look back on all we’ve accomplished this past year, but we’re not just sitting around the offices congratulating ourselves and slapping each other on the back. There’s an American baseball player who said it best. He said, “It’s okay to look back, just don’t stare.” We’re not staring at the past. We focused on the future, making OpenSkies the best flying experience out there.
And what we’re focused on right now is bringing you some great deals to celebrate our anniversary. You’ll see that topnotch service and complete comfort don’t have to come at a lavish price.
If you’ve flown with us over the past year, drop me a note and let me know about your experience. If we’ve yet to welcome you aboard, I look forward to seeing you in year two.
Dale
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100% 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
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Facts about our future.
As you may know, our first two aircraft—our beloved 757s—have come from British Airways’ distinguished fleet. And the merger with L’Avion now lands us at a total of four 757 aircraft.
With the economy as it is, we plan to hold steady right there—so no new additions to the fleet and no new routes for now. Not for a lack of wanting to add aircraft and destinations, but we believe it’s only the smart thing to do in this tough financial climate.
Recently, British Airways announced a sale of its remaining 757s. Since OpenSkies is built around the 757 configuration, it’s natural to think that British Airways has lost confidence in our viability. Cranky Flier poses this point very directly. We can’t blame him or others for the speculation, but it simply isn’t the case. BA’s decision to sell the 757s has nothing to do with OpenSkies’ strength as a business.
If the British Airways planes aren’t in the air generating revenue, now is the time to sell them to the highest bidder and get them off the balance sheets. And this is OK by us. We have assessed the market for 757s and believe that there are plenty available with the proper configuration when we decide to grow in the future.
I believe our little airline is ripe for opportunity, especially in this market. OpenSkies offers the kind of value that other airlines can’t: A premium flying experience without prohibitive costs.
I hope you agree. And even if you don’t, please tell us why by commenting on this post.
Dale
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Combine, refine, making one airline.
Successful relationships build on the strengths of each partner. That’s the whole point of two companies (or two people, for that matter) coming together—to combine the best of both. And that’s what we’re out to do by integrating L’Avion with OpenSkies.
And we’re well on the way. Right now, we’re unifying the two selling systems and should be complete by the end of March. What does that mean? That OpenSkies and L’Avion will have just one booking code (which means no confusion with your ticket!). We’re also combining our reservation systems and consolidating our call centers. Which means you’ll be able to book your flight more conveniently, and in the manner you want.
We’re taking the great parts from each of our sites and incorporating them into one. L’Avion’s popular “Paryorker” section, where our savvy travelers provide personal tips for your destination, will definitely be on the new site. We’re also adding features to improve your experience. On the new site, you’ll be able to create a personal profile, which will speed your booking process and keep you notified about special offers. And we’re not only improving how your fare options are displayed, but we’re adding extras like the ability to buy travel insurance while you book.
So no matter how you book your travel, it’ll be speedy, smooth, and easy.
What else can you look forward to? I’ll be bringing you updates on the remodeling of the L’Avion’s planes, the uniform redesigns, and our reviewing of the menu (and taking the best from each airline to create an even better dining experience!). So keep an eye out for those posts.
And let me know your thoughts and suggestions. We’re always open to new ideas.
Dale
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Go Ahead, Ask Away Part 3
There are some great questions you’ve posted. So let’s get to answering them.
Deatra and Connor posed some questions (and a couple suggestions) about adding new routes.
We’ve no plans as of right now for new routes. The economic conditions are a big reason why we’re not expanding routes in the near term. We’re keeping our focus on what we’ve got, doing the most with our current routes, and completing the integration of L’Avion. But we always have an eye toward the future and closely consider expansion opportunities when they come up.
The flight range of our Boeing 757s also plays a role when reviewing possible new routes. Ideal for connecting the US East coast to Western Europe, some longer routes just aren’t feasible with our current fleet. And as I mentioned in an earlier post, I’ll definitely share the news when new routes are decided on.
We had a couple different takes on our point-to-point (direct flight) structure from Doron and Henry.
I touched on this a bit in a post a few month backs, but it’s definitely worth going over again. One of the big benefits about being strictly a point-to-point carrier is that it frees us from the intricacies and cost of connecting flights and transferring luggage—which means savings for you. It also means Henry gets to visit NYC for the first time! We look forward to seeing you in May—and reading about your trip on your blog.
That leads us right into George’s question as to whether we’re planning on joining the OneWorld Alliance.
We’re not. Joining OneWorld would add operational complications and costs—something we strive to avoid. But we are partner airlines in British Airways Executive Club (as is L’Avion), so you can earn Executive Club miles when you fly.
As for George’s other question—how many additional B757s is British Airways going to transfer to us—the answer is none. BA has decided to sell the remainder of their fleet (sorry Luke, we aren’t the unnamed airline who bought them!). That said, the fleet we have perfectly fits needs.
We had a question regarding our in-flight entertainment system from Ann. While she thought the Archos 705 personal players is a great add-on, she commented on the battery life of the unit and wanted to know if we are considering installing standard in seat entertainment systems.
We aren’t planning on installing standard in-seat entertainment system. It’d also be a significant investment to make the change, and we’re out to provide good value—and keeping cost down is a big part of that. As for the battery life, the Archos system can always be recharged from the in-seat power supply.
The economy—and how it’s affecting us—is another question frequently asked. Loric says, “It terrifies me to think the airline I departed on might go out of business and leave me stuck in Europe on a student budget.”
We have every intention of being around for a long time. And we’re taking every measure necessary—including keeping costs down—to ensure it. Like all airlines (all companies for that matter), this economy is a challenge. But I truly believe we are the perfect airline for these times—real value and exceptional comfort. And having the strength of the BA family definitely helps.
You’ve all posted great comments, questions, and suggestions. I really enjoy reading through them—and getting a chance to answer them directly. So keep writing. I’ll keep reading.
Dale
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New Year, new opportunities
It’s hard to believe we’re well into 2009.
2008 was a tough year. The economic turbulence shook everyone and affected every industry. But there were some bright spots. We launched OpenSkies, taking flight last June with our first route, NY-Paris. We introduced of our second route, NY-Amsterdam, in October, and made the big step toward expanding the OpenSkies experience by purchasing the French airline L’Avion.
Tough times don’t mean people stop traveling. But what it does mean, though, is that everyone is more conscious about the cost, especially business travelers who depend on travel to close the deal. Value is vital. And that’s exactly what we offer. We have the right product to fit the times. No other airline provides business class service and comfort to Amsterdam and Paris at a price comparable to a full fare economy flight. And being backed by British Airways, you can see why we’re a solid economical choice in today’s market.
But we’re not just resting on our laurels. We have quite a lot on deck for 2009. Our continued integration with L’Avion is a big project. Already, we’ve implemented a code-share so you can book flights on either our website or L’Avion’s (And you earn BA Executive Club miles when you fly on L’Avion.)
One of the first decisions we made as part of integrating L’Avion was to shift our British Airline Operating Certificate to a French one—which means our whole OpenSkies base of operations and office (myself included!) are moving to Paris. We’ve already started to tackle the ton of mandatory paperwork for the switch and are covering off on things like merging L’Avion and our operating manuals so they meet regulations. It’s definitely a big move, but it’s a move that will open up new opportunities and new routes.
What else is happening? We’ll be painting all the planes, updating L’Avion’s interiors to provide the BIZ (business bed) and PREM+ (business seat) experience we stake our name on, and choosing new uniforms. We’ll also be taking the best functionalities of the websites and combining them into one. And as always, serving fantastic and inventive meals will still top our priority list.
Keep checking back in. I’ll be posting on our move to Paris, how the integration is going, even on the new uniforms, which I’d love to hear your thoughts on.
Here’s to the New Year!
Dale
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Go Ahead, Ask Away, part 2
Keep the questions coming—I’ll keep answering them!
Like I mentioned in an earlier post, I enjoy reading all your comments. I’ve decided to make answering your questions a regular feature on the blog, so if you haven’t gotten around to leaving a comment, now’s the time.
Keith and Henry start us off with a couple great questions that touch on the same topic. “How is OpenSkies coping with the global downturn in air travel?” Keith asks. “Are you buoyant and will my bookings for the future be a safe investment?”
You’re right, Keith. Economic turbulence has slowed the industry. But let me assure you that your booking made on OpenSkies is a safe investment, and dare I say the best investment at this time. As you may know, we have the full backing and support of one of the world’s finest airlines, British Airways. With BA behind us, we are in a great position for success even in tough economic times. And I want to make a point that PREM+ is, in my opinion, the best value flying, with absolutely no compromise on comfort. Of course you’d expect me to say that. But it’s also is the opinion of the critics. I like how Joe Brancatelli of Portfolio.com puts it. PREM+, he says, is an “entirely new class of international airline service.” Value and business class comfort—now those are two terms not often associated with each other!
In the post on our in flight entertainment systems, Lee commented on how great the Archos 705 portable media player is (I agree!). He asks, “How often is your AVOD [entertainment system] updated?”
We update half of our movies every month and rotate in new TV shows every other month. In January, we have some great films like RocknRolla and the thriller Eagle Eye. And being international, we offer international entertainment, next month features movies like the French drama Le Premier jour du reste de ta vie and the Dutch drama Het Zusje van Katia. Whenever possible, we’ll have French and Dutch soundtracks and subtitles on the movies and TV shows.
A couple of you had questions about whether we were going to extend out routes to new cities. Hadassah asks, “How big does the vision go for other US cities to be included, namely where I’m at in Los Angeles?” Isadora had a similar question, “When are you flying from Stockholm (Sweden)?”
We put a lot of thought into our routes by considering the business opportunity and the aircraft flying range. As of right now, neither L.A. nor Stockholm are in our plans. Future expansion opportunities are always being considered and as soon as I have any news about upcoming routes I’ll be sure to let you know right here.
Stephen also had a question about routes. He says, “Why don’t you add [London] STANSTED as your next OpenSkies base.”
Stansted may be a unique opportunity, though we have no plans to operate out of the UK. Our parent company, British Airways, has those flights covered. I’ll definitely pass on the suggestion to them.
And we had a question from Orlan asking about in flight reading. He asks, “Are you planning any inflight magazines specific to OpenSkies?”
We’ve decided not to have an in flight magazine. But we do offer local and international newspapers and publications that you can pick up as you board the plane. Depending on your route, you’ll find Dutch titles like Telegraph or Elsevier, French titles such as Le Figaro or Paris Match, or English titles like The Wall Street Journal or Golf Digest.
That’s all for now. I check the blog a lot to read the new comments. Keep leaving them. I promise to do my best to answer them. And let me know what you think about our airline, our routes, our blog— anything, really.
Here’s to a great 2009, Happy New Year!
Dale
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