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Tags: Open Skies / Recessionomics / Airline News / → All Tags

Open Skies Nixes Amsterdam Route

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]

Tags: First Person Flight Reviews / All Business Class Carriers / Open Skies / → All Tags

Open Skies 'One of the Best Travel Bargains' But For How Much Longer?

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.)

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Tags: Airfare Sales / Five Airfare Sales / Alaska Airlines / Alitalia / Open Skies / Cathay Pacific / Air New Zealand / → All Tags

Our Top Five International Airfare Sales Of The Moment

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.

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Tags: All Business Class Carriers / OpenSkies / L'Avion / British Airways / Open Skies / → All Tags

OpenSkies Trying To Reassure Passengers Via Blog

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]

Tags: Flight Reviews / OpenSkies / Open Skies / All Business Class Carriers / British Airways / → All Tags

First-Person Flight Reviews: OpenSkies Is More Than Lounge Showers

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:

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Tags: All Business Class Carriers / OpenSkies / L'Avion / British Airways / Open Skies / JFK / AMS / New Routes / → All Tags

OpenSkies Travel: New Seats, New Routes

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]

Tags: All Business Class Carriers / OpenSkies / L'Avion / British Airways / Open Skies / JFK / ORY / EWR / → All Tags

Unshakable Faith Travel: British Airways Buys L'Avion

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]

Tags: Flight Reviews / British Airways / New Routes / OpenSkies / Open Skies / JFK / ORY / → All Tags

First-Person Flight Reviews: OpenSkies Starts Service

The new carrier OpenSkies successfully began its New York to Paris (ORY) route on June 19, and so far things are going smoothly. The airline seeks to battle increasing operating costs with its unique model of pricey business class seats with a limited economy cabin. Says British Airways CEO Willie Walsh:

While the economic climate has worsened in recent months, we believe that OpenSkies can compete effectively. It has a low cost base and support from British Airways in key areas such as sales and marketing. This differentiates it from some new airlines that have failed recently which were operating in isolation.

First hand trip reports from the inaugural flights have been slow to roll in. But Ben from the One Mile at a Time blog was on that first flight and offers some great pictures and experiences of the Prem+ cabin:

The seat was much wider, at least around the shoulders, which made it easy to get comfortable. I also found the leather to be non-sticky and easy to find a comfortable position in, which is a big plus. Each seat included a very stylish OpenSkies pillow and comfortable blanket. Overall I can't find one thing to fault the seats for, and would find them easy to sleep in.

Have your own trip report to share? Send it our way.

Related Stories:
· OpenSkies to Paris, Part One [One Mile at a Time]
· OpenSkies coverage [Jaunted]

Tags: British Airways / New Routes / OpenSkies / Open Skies / JFK / ORY / → All Tags

OpenSkies Starts JFK-Paris Service June 19

What fuel prices? British Airways is launching its spin-off carrier OpenSkies on June 19, and fares in the airline's "Prem+" cabin are starting as low as $720 one-way between Paris (ORY) and JFK.

We found a round-trip booking in June for $1,553 all-in, which isn't bad considering cattle class on OpenSkies for the same dates we searched is $1,250. (L'Avion is doing Newark-ORY on those dates for $2,280.)

The Prem+ cabin gets you 52 inch seat pitch, a 140 degree recline and two power plugs per seat. Not that regular economy is bad: With only 30 seats, your chances of sharing the cabin with a screaming infant are drastically reduced.

If you wanna sit in business class, the same dates will cost you $3,662. But you'll kick it with fully flat beds, more leg room than you need and a la carte dining.

Related Stories:
· OpenSkies [Official Site]
· OpenSkies coverage [Jaunted]

Tags: V Australia / Airlines / Richard Branson / Tony Fernandes / Kendra Wilkinson / Open Skies / AirAsia / Air Asia X / → All Tags

V Australia: Details on Branson's Newest Baby

Serial publicity hound Richard Branson is headed Down Under later this month to reveal the details on Virgin's latest airline, V Australia.

The start-up is a spin off of Virgin Blue, set to challenge Qantas on flights between Oz and the US before the end of 2008. Interestingly, Branson's visit is timed to coincide with the opening of London Heathrow's Terminal 5--the new home of Virgin rival British Airways.

We're guessing RB won't be taking Kendra Wilkinson along on his trip south, but he won't be hyping V Australia all alone. AirAsia CEO Tony Fernandes will be in Melbourne too, talking up his new routes to Malaysia.

Related Stories:
· Branson to Reveal V Australia Plans [Aviation Record]
· Open Skies Travel: Transpacific Routes Now (Sorta) Open [Jaunted]
· Jaunted Interviews: Surprise Call from Richard Branson [Jaunted]
· V Australia coverage [Jaunted]

Tags: Australia Travel / Air Asia X / Virgin Blue / LCCs / Low Cost Carriers / Open Skies / → All Tags

Australia and Malaysia Want Open Skies Too

Air travel in the Asia-Pacific region is non-stop action at the moment. With Asian LCCs forever threatening to expand and governments chipping away at open skies agreements, it almost feels like we'll be able to fly around Australasia for free in a couple of years.

The news this week is an agreement between the Australian and Malaysian governments to allow more seats on flights between the two countries. Until the announcement, the weekly traffic between Oz and Malaysia was around 35,000 seats, but there are now 5,000 more seats with another 3,500 seats allowed from March 2009.

The expansion is likely to encourage budget airlines like Air Asia X to start more routes to Australia and even compete on the domestic market--there are even rumors that they plan to cooperate with Virgin Blue. We are really hanging out for some cheap flights around this region, so watch this space.

Related Stories:
· Air pact with M'sia allows more seats [The Australian]
· Air Asia X Making X-Tra Small Seats [Jaunted]
· Transpacific Routes Now (Sorta) Open [Jaunted]

[Photo: jetalone]

Tags: Qantas / V Australia / Open Skies / Australia Travel / Virgin Blue / Airlines / → All Tags

V Australia Wants You

Now that Australia and the United States have opened up competition on transpacific routes, V Australia needs some people to actually, you know, fly the planes.

The airline's ordered seven new 777s to fly its initial 10 weekly flights between LAX and Sydney, and it's searching for 280 flight attendants and 100 pilots to join the small team it's already hired. Flights are set to begin in November 2008.

Not content to let V Australia grab all the talent, Qantas hopes to hire 2,000 long-haul flight attendants in the next couple of years. The carrier is offering up a special bonus, too: the chance to work on an A380, which it hopes to have flying between Australia and the US by this summer.

Related Stories:
· V Australia Launches Recruitment Drive [Official Site]
· Open Skies Travel: Transpacific Routes Now (Sorta) Open [Jaunted]
· V Australia coverage [Jaunted]