ATW Daily News

BA's Walsh touts all-premium New York-London flight as 'bold step'

Thursday October 1, 2009

British Airways CEO Willie Walsh described the carrier's new all-business-class A318 New York JFK-London City service, launched Tuesday, as a "vote of confidence in the future."

He told ATWOnline, "It's a bold step. We are putting down a marker that we are confident about the future." He said the service will be profitable if it achieves a 70% load factor.

Passengers en route to JFK will be able to clear immigration and customs during the refueling stop at Shannon, allowing them to be "curbside" outside the New York airport in 10 min. or less, Walsh said. Going the other direction, cabin service has been modified somewhat to ensure it will be a sleeper flight for those not wanting to be disturbed. Dinner will be served in the BA lounge at JFK for passengers boarding the evening flight to LCY, with lighter food offerings provided during the flight.

Walsh downplayed the risk involved in launching a premium service in an economic downturn: "At times like this, you have to demonstrate your competency by investing in your business."

by Sandra Arnoult

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