OpenSkies to commence Paris, Orly-New York, JFK operations 19 June

British Airways said its transatlantic subsidiary OpenSkies will commence operations on 19 June with its first daily Paris Orly-New York JFK flight. It said each 757 flight will carry no more than 82 passengers.

It said its business class, Biz, will feature lie-flat beds, while the Prem+ will offer reclining seats at 52-in. pitch. Biz passengers will also enjoy dedicated check-in and private lounges.

The service will offer 30 seats in the economy class.

"Transatlantic travellers looking for a comfortable and intimate in-flight experience will have a place in the skies to call home," said MD Dale Moss.

OpenSkies will initially operate one daily round-trip flight on a fuel-efficient Boeing 757. A second Boeing 757 is scheduled to join later this year from the British Airways fleet. It is planned that OpenSkies will operate six aircraft in all by 2009 end. The subsidiary plans to serve additional routes from European cities including Amsterdam, Brussels, Frankfurt and Milan to New York.

OpenSkies received approval to begin operations from the US Department of Transportation last week. It is the first airline created as a result of the Open Skies agreement, which allows airlines to fly between any US and EU destination.