British Airways is to go ahead with the launch of the first transatlantic flights from London City Airport despite the economic downturn.
Fitted with just 32 seats, which convert to fully flat beds, the aircraft will fly across the Atlantic after a refuelling stop at Shannon in Ireland, where passengers will be able to clear US Customs and Immigration.
Return flights from New York will be non-stop, as the aircraft can use JFK’s full-length runways and take off with sufficient fuel for the whole transatlantic crossing.
BA003 departs London City at 16.00 and arrives at JFK at 20.25. BA004 departs JFK at 21.50 and arrives at LCY at 10.25 the following day.
BA chief executive Willie Walshsaid: “In the harshest trading environment airlines have experienced, we believe it is more important than ever to embrace the future and innovate. That is what this historic new route is all about.
“There is real enthusiasm from our customers for this project. This is BA at its best – stylish, British and ahead of the game.
“Every aspect of this service has been designed to maximise convenience for customers to fly between the world’s two biggest business centres – Wall Street and London’s extended financial district in the City and Docklands.
“The UK’s first web access on transatlantic flights means that customers can work and keep in touch with the office between London and New York via the email and texts.
