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Subscribe to RSS FeedWe’re not like everybody else.
I may be dating myself, but The Kinks’ song “I’m not like everybody else” comes to mind whenever I talk about OpenSkies—that’s because we’re doing things differently.
I’ve been in the airline business for 30+ years, and yet I still get excited when an in-flight experience makes me say “Finally, someone gets it!” That’s the feeling we’re out to create by providing a premium product at a great price. What’s that mean? For starters:
- A well traveled team that’s dedicated to getting the little things right for each passenger
- Business class 180 degree lie-flat seats
- All passengers get their wine poured from a proper bottle, not tiny individual bottles (less waste!)
- More of an “a la carte” meal service instead of the standard shrink-wrapped offerings
- Personal AVOD entertainment units with 50+ hours of programming
And since we’re starting small, we’re able to quickly adapt, evolve, and continually improve the customer experience. So whether you’re on a flight, at the gate, or just surfing our upcoming website, you’re going to see how we’re not like everybody else. (Thank you Mr. Davies.)
Are we going to change the world? Not quite. But we are out to change a small but important part of it. So tell us your “Finally, someone gets it!” moments—we’d love to learn from your experiences.
Dale
February 7th, 2008 at 4:33 pm
Oh yes, because god knows British Airways has such a good reputation for service and punctuality. I don’t think I’ve ever been on a BA flight which hasn’t been late or cancelled, or where they have haven’t lost my baggage. And you think we’d voluntarily fly BA from Brussels to the US? When we have six other airlines to choose from? You must be dreaming…
February 7th, 2008 at 4:42 pm
The message I was trying to convey in my last post is that you should NOT mention your British Airways heritage. If you want to start a fresh, new airline, why one earth would you tie yourself to one that is so despised? It’s a real turn-off, and I will be very hesitant to try Open Skies when it starts flying.
February 8th, 2008 at 12:31 am
Im so excited about coming to interview with Openskies as a flight attendant!! This is the kind of service that makes me want to come to work. This is what its about to be a real flight attendant…. Just like the old days………
February 8th, 2008 at 2:54 am
You’re only dating yourself in the manner that you love great music!!! Its fantastic to hear you have an open mind with the process of starting a new airline. “The purpose of an open mind is like that of an open mouth, put something in worthwhile… and then digest it.”
Taking the time to hear from your guests speaks volumes!!!
I look forward to becoming part of your new venture…Keep up the informative blogs.:)
February 9th, 2008 at 1:55 am
Are you copying and pasting Silverjet’s product portfolio and slapping ‘OpenSkies’ branding on it…
Your offering and in fact business plans sound desperately similar….
In any event, I think I have notched up about thirty flights so far with SJ so it might be nice to try something new. An amenity kit that contains something useful in would be nice or even an e-book with a load of interesting periodicals could be a nice USP……just a thought…
MP
February 9th, 2008 at 7:21 pm
my someone get’s it moments:
- AVOD that starts when you are on the ground waiting, also check out Jet Blue’s live TV, it’s amazing.
- in-seat power in all seats in all classes, ideally with the airline providing the adaptors or plugs that can fit US, UK and European plugs.
- arrival lounges with showers are a must for business class and ideally premium economy too (maybe at a surcharge?)
- transparent pricing stategy, i don’t want to be in the back having paid more than someone in the front. Also flexibility (without a ridiculously high fee), esp. if you are just changing dates.
good luck. this is a great move by BA. Despite what people say, BA gets it tonnes more than other airlines.
February 11th, 2008 at 2:52 am
I agree… a very top of the line amenity kit would be quite welcoming. Something along the line of what Four Seasons provide their guests booked in Presidential suites. Products included in the amenity kit I’m speaking of.. includes the Bvlgari line. I found this to be an amazing treat. Also, I have heard that OpenSkies cabin crew will have the same uniforms as BA. That’s not so good. My reason.. If you want to be a separate airline.. than you shouldn’t have the same appearance as BA. The BA uniforms are very plain Jane. Grey, is not a flattering color..very boring. Sorry, my intentions are not to insult.. but to give some insight as to what people notice. A very well polished and high fashion appearance of the cabin crew..will be noticed as they walk thru the airports of the world. That right there is FREE marketing of OpenSkies…because passengers in the terminal areas will notice them!! For the Openskies uniforms… they should be sleek and well fitted…and fashionable. A beautiful Chanel inspired cropped jacket with pencil style skirt. Very CoCo Channel.. Or.. maybe something along the “old Hollywood style.. Audrey Hepburn? Customer service is important.. as well, I believe appearance of the staff is just as essential. A nice pill box hat to top it all off…WOW… now that’s a uniform!
Keep up the good work Dale. TC
February 11th, 2008 at 2:50 pm
Okay, enough opinions! What I want to know is:
1) When will your schedule be published?
2) When can flights be booked?
3) Will flights to and fro NYC be integrated with BA’s schedule from BRU or CDG to connect onwards.
I think I saw the answer somewhere on this board, but will OpenSkies be part of OneWorld?
February 12th, 2008 at 2:37 am
Eric, while I agree that a “brand new airline” should distinguish itself from it’s parent, I much prefer BA to my flag carrier, Air Canada. Always late, always missing baggage, always rude…welcome aboard?
Openskies, I can’t wait to see this idea take off. But I have a couple suggestions:
- Club World = old. Despite the fact that I appreciate that they ARE trying to update it, look at Singapore Airlines! Emirates! Etihad! and dare I say Virgin. Those buisness class seats look well designed and comfotable! I seriously despise the look of the new Club World. Come on, you don’t have to be Eos nice. Lets just get something out there that we can brag about! Let’s get a brand new design for a buisness class!
- Prefeably a seperate FFP. Since you’re still tied and gagged to BA, this probably is just a dream, but still, ranking up on Executive Club is a little hard unless you fly A LOT, no?
- Losing 23 bags of every 1000 passengers is too much. Use RFID or get new trackers. Whatever you need to get the bags to their destination.
- I was kinda hoping for an aircraft livery that doesn’t look like you just bought a plane of BA and didn’t have enough time to repaint it. Recycle one of the old “tails of the world” if you must (I was kind of fond of the Chelsea Rose), but create a new livery that lets people know you’re a new generation of airline!
I have a lot more ideas, but let’s just cover the basics for now. Let’s get this baby off the ground!
February 12th, 2008 at 3:07 pm
Have seen the comments. Think the American crew need to realise that BA is a VERY strong and successful brand as is. That is why OpenSkies is similar in image to British Airways. It is relying on this image to reassure and give confidence to their customers. The uniform is NOT dull. It is a contemporary design from a very successful Eueopean fashion designer!!
I can believe the neagative comments about the Club World flat beds! BA was the first airline to ever intorduce them and has since always remained ahead of the game. Think there is some confusion between Americans understanding of what Cub World is. It is business class..so only fair to compare like for like. You cant compare Virgin Atlantic to BA. Virgin doesnt have a business class.
From reading some of the comments i dont think the US is the best place to recruit Flight Attendants. Think they will weaken and cheapen the BA brand…..unfortunately. I dont think they have any real understanding of Britishness…cant deliver this and that is what the customer wants and expects…thats why we fly BA and not the competition.
February 18th, 2008 at 10:03 pm
Ryan, just because an airline is the first to introduce something doesn’t mean they’re always the best at it. OK, let’s just ASSUME Virgin Upper Class isn’t Business class (cause it is). Air Canada Business First, Delta BusinessElite, Jet Airways Club Premiere, Air New Zealand Buisness Premier. These airlines ALL use lie flat versions of the seat Virgin uses (The Solar, by Contour Premium Aircraft Seating, same people whole made the original bed for BA first and Club World).
So tell me, ARE THEY business class? Unless theres some new SUPER FIRST class i don’t know about, BA needs to step up.
February 21st, 2008 at 12:59 pm
There have been a few negative comments about BA. Despite all their (many) shortcomings, I still regard them as my preferred airline. I know the schedule is less convenient than some US carriers for my routes, I know that they (or rather their ground handlers) lose too many bags, I know that their cabin staff are not as chic, the cabins are not as comfortable, their loyalty scheme not as generous…. BUT I still want to fly BA, and not just because they are my national flag-carrier.
Can OpenSkies replicate this kind of feeling? If so, they can take the best bits from other airlines, add their own slice of original thinking, and come out on top.
February 22nd, 2008 at 5:04 pm
Sincerely I do not haev many complaints regarding BA seats on long range aircraft, I have much to complain about european routes seats:
Leather gets dirty and ruined very soon, so, if you are not willing to change the expensive seat covers often, avoid it.
Use leather un the side part of seats but leave the part in contact with my back made with a transpirant texture.
Put a head cushion that could be as soft as a wool cushion not a lether covered piece of iron that always falls down and never stays in the position where i put it.
What I really dream is a seat with leather covered seating part and lateral parts of the back while the central part of the back made with one of the texture that used to make the rear of mountain backpacks.
February 27th, 2008 at 1:32 pm
Hi there,
I love the though that BA will launch a USA/European service, but, instead of New York, why dont you do the whole of Europe a favour and fly directly to Las Vegas, firstly your guaranteed to get a 100% load factor, secondly, you wont have to offer low fares as most people going to Vegas are gamblers and used to splashing out and thirdly evryone wants to go to Vegas, but very few European airlines serve it directly and because its such a niche market, anyone who does fly direct charges the Earth… Now myself (and many others) would love that!!!
April 18th, 2008 at 7:30 pm
Sounds wonderful but I only have two arms and two legs. What is Econ going to cost? How about flying out of Houston?
April 18th, 2008 at 9:21 pm
Please consider changing your configuration of seats in business class. There is nothing worse than facing someone for 7 hours, watching them eat, snore, etc, then strattle you to get out of the inside seat to get up for the restroom. Try facing them all forward (who wants to ride backward?) and leaving a space to get around like all the other airlines. Takes your example from United Emirates. That’s an airline impossible to surpass!