Shannon Airport will be the refueling stop for British Airways’ planned business-class only flights from London City to New York.
During the stop at the west Ireland airport, customers will benefit from a special arrangement that will allow them to complete USA arrivals checks, meaning they will by-pass the normal arrivals checks when they land in New York and speed straight through the airport.
The airline announced in January plans to launch twice-daily business class flights between London City and New York. It is expected the new service will launch in autumn 2009.
Eastbound flights will be non-stop.
Flights will be operated by Airbus 318 aircraft, the largest aircraft that can take-off and land at London City airport. The service – the only long haul flights to and from London City – will offer a one-cabin business class product with 32 seats. Customers will enjoy a specially designed personal onboard service that will include a flat bed and a dining service similar to that of British Airways’ Club World business class.
On the ground, customers will be able to arrive at the airport up to 15 minutes before departure. This combined with the ability to by-pass the usual arrivals checks in New York makes it the most convenient way for people traveling between the heart of the City of London and New York City.
Robert Boyle, British Airways commercial director, said: “Our planned business-class only service will be the most convenient way to travel between London and New York for those people based in or traveling to the heart of London. Many city workers will be able to get from desk to aircraft in as little as 30 minutes. This combined with Shannon airport’s ability to complete USA arrival checks during the planned refueling stop will ensure customers can make the most of their time and travel desk to desk in the quickest time possible.”
“Combined with our 10 flights per day service between Heathrow and New York and our new daily service from Gatwick, it means that British Airways customers will have the biggest choice of flights between the world’s two biggest business capitals.”