The all-business-class model of running an airline seems to be about one recession-induced nail away from a full coffin. Premium transatlantic carrier Open Skies announced this weekend that it will no longer offer its New York to Amsterdam route.

The announcement is a shame—especially after a Jaunted reader recently pointed out that the $900 roundtrip fare was one of the best biz class bargains to be had. But it’s not much of a surprise—rumors have cycled for months that the British Airways-owned Open Skies was nearing the end of its run.

The airline will offer flights to Amsterdam only through August 16, after which it’s only remaining route will be JFK to Paris. We’re taking bets on how long that one will last.

Related Stories:
· OpenSkies to halt Amsterdam-New York flights [LA Times]
· Open Skies 'One of the Best Travel Bargains' But For How Much Longer? [Jaunted]
· Even The Airports Were Tuned Into Michael Jackson's Memorial [Jaunted]

[Photo: shazari] ]]> BS 2009-07-27T08:59:25-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/7/14/134845/180

Every so often we feature a first person flight review from one of our readers that we feel should be shared with the rest of you dear fliers. These reviews are full of details and pertinent info and are relatively level-headed. Think you can submit one just like this? Send it in.

It looks like people are still flying those all business class carriers. A passenger recently flew Open Skies from JFK to Amsterdam and called it one of the best travel bargains around.

Sadly, we're not so sure even this positive review can save Open Skies from getting grounded later this year due to the financial difficulties its parent company, British Airways, has been having in the recession.

Yet, there's a glimmer of hope as passenger numbers are expected to increase this summer and everyone is still hoping that the economy could turn around later this fall. Until then, here's a look at what you get on-board Open Skies.

One of the best travel bargains available! Business class JFK to Amsterdam or Paris for an average coach fare--less than half the normal business class rate. My daughter & I flew the Amsterdam route in mid-June '09 for $900 round trip. (Their "first class" rate is more than double, differing largely in the flat, fold-down beds & 1st class lounge @ JFK.)

]]> juliana 2009-07-14T17:09:18-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/1/14/25349/8220

Since winter is only half over, we've decided that what everyone needs right now is a hardcore international escape. If your desire for the tropics has been replaced with a desperation to just get far, far away, then have we got the deals for you.

Taking a cue from some of our stories in the last few days, we've rounded up our Five Favorite Airfare Sales with a focus on globetrotting. There will be no mentions of commuter flights to Ypsilanti or Sulfur Springs this week, so sit back and book a serious sojourn already. Any tips on what you want to see more of or less of? Let us know.]]> JetSetCD 2009-01-14T09:15:48-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/11/12/103410/05

Last all business class carrier standing OpenSkies seems to be in an unenviable position. Its competitors have all gone bust, business travel budgets are shrinking and its acquisition of L'Avion seems to have been, shall we say, ill-timed. So the airline took to its official blog to remind everyone that, yes, times are tough, but you should still book flights with us!

We are in a fortunate position to have the strong support of an airline that has seen global economic dips and flips before: British Airways. But even though we fall under the umbrella of BA, we are still responsible for making careful and prudent decisions to ensure a superior experience. ...

[We] want to make careful, prudent, sensible decisions moving forward, moving up the items we need now, and de-emphasizing the items that can wait.

Unsurprisingly, a commenter went ahead and asked the obvious: If I buy a ticket for May 2009, what are the odds my flight will actually operate? OpenSkies' answer? Haven't seen one yet!

Related Stories:
· Navigating the Ups and Downs [OpenSkies Blog]
· First-Person Flight Reviews: OpenSkies Is More Than Lounge Showers [Jaunted]

[Photo: Wikimedia]]]> pbb 2008-11-12T10:34:10-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/10/20/71814/791

OpenSkies started flying between New York and Amsterdam last week, after deciding earlier this summer to remove all its economy seats.

So now that it's a verifiable all-business-class carrier, what's it like? Blogger Will Allen was on a recent flight--but seemed more interested in the shower situation on the ground than the in-flight service:

One hour later my cell phone buzzed, and I received my answer: No showers in the OpenSkies Amsterdam lounge. However, they hastened to add, public showers are available free of charge at Schiphol, so long as one brings one's own towel and soap.

But business travel obsessive Joe Brancatelli has more scoop:]]> kjb 2008-10-22T16:30:49-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/7/30/125541/727

OpenSkies, the premium transatlantic airline launched by British Airways, recently announced it would start Amsterdam-New York service. But the bigger news from the airline is that it's about to rip out all its economy class seats.

Yep, now that Eos, MaxJet and Silverjet have left the market, OpenSkies is going all business class, removing the 30-passenger economy cabin and filling the space with 12 "Prem+" seats with 52 inches of pitch and 140-degree recline. With the existing premium seats and first class, the carrier's one 757 will only carry 64 passengers at a time.

Why the change? The managing director of the carrier, Dale Moss, told Cranky Flier Brett Snyder that those economy seats were "a distraction." Seems he'd rather focus on new destinations instead: Boston and Washington are candidates for future service, as are Barcelona, Brussels and Milan.

Related Stories:
· OpenSkies to Add Amsterdam Flights [Airline Biz Blog]
· OpenSkies' Earth-Shaking Announcement [The Cranky Flier]
· All Business Class Carriers coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: Wikimedia]]]> pbb 2008-07-30T13:00:02-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/7/2/132540/9383

L'Avion, the last independent transatlantic all business class carrier, just got bought up by British Airways. The backer of the new premium airline OpenSkies directly competed with L'Avion for Paris to New York passengers--until today.

The deal cost BA €68 million ($108 million), though L'Avion had €33 million in cash in the bank. More importantly than eliminating the competition and getting two 757s, OpenSkies will also get L'Avion's landing slots at ORY.

We have two big questions. First, where will the newly-expanded OpenSkies fly? L'Avion served Newark, while the BA offshoot lands at JFK. A company press release mentions "up to three daily flights between Paris Orly and the New York area." The second question: Will OpenSkies make a dime off this deal?

Related Stories:
· British Airways Buys L'Avion to Expand OpenSkies [Bloomberg UK]
· All Business Class Carriers coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: Mohsan]]]> pbb 2008-07-02T13:35:09-05:00 Search Jaunted string http://www.jaunted.com/search/