BA launches first long haul London City flight

BA has started selling tickets for its first ever long haul service between London City airport and New York's JFK.

Despite troubled times for the travel industry BA has decided to go ahead with the twice-daily Club World service, aimed at business travellers.

The new service will be given the prestigious BA001 flight number, last used by Concorde in 2003.

Willie Walsh, British Airways' chief executive, said: "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. Reviving the BA001 flight number for the first long haul route out of London City could not be more appropriate.

"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. Above all the exclusive service style will bring the feel of a private jet to a business class cabin."

Passengers will be able to check in just 15 minutes before departure and use a dedicated departure gate with lounge facilities. Tickets are now on sale for departures from September 29, 2009.

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Written by: Maxine Clarke, July 29 2009