British Airways Inaugurates LCY-JFK on September 29th

[Iberia A340-600]

British Airways will inaugurate daily flights (except Saturday when LCY is closed) from LCY to JFK on September 29th with new Airbus A318 aircraft. Come mid-October the flight will increase to two daily flights. British Airways will be using Concorde flight numbers for this new flight.

BA001 ETA JFK 5:05pm
BA002 ETD JFK 6:30pm

BA003 ETA JFK 8:05pm
BA004 ETD JFK 9:40pm

http://skyliner-aviation.de/photos/geuna.jpg
http://skyliner-aviation.de/photos/geuna.jpg

[PhilDernerJr]

This is pretty exciting stuff. We don't get to see BA Airbii around here, and seeing the 318 is a special treat.

[cancidas]

are these the only airplanes in the BA fleet that aren't RR-powered? (i'm not counting the 737s as you don't have a choice of powerplants)


i don't really like that they're using the Concorde flight numbers. they ought to remain retired like the airplanes.

[Matt Molnar]

Awesome, can't wait. Gordon, can you double check that sched? I found this on the BA site...


BA001
ETD LCY 12:50
ETA JFK 17:15

BA002
ETD JFK 18:40
ETA LCY 07:15

:arrow: New British Airways London City (LCY) - New York (JFK) Club World Service Begins September 29th (http://nycaviation.com/2009/08/20/new-british-airways-london-city-lcy-new-york-jfk-club-world-service-begins-september-29th/)

[LGA777]

Our company advised us today BA has placed a permament non-rev embargo on these flights, buisness or pleasure travel, BA or other airline, no exceptions so if you work for BA or any other carrier and want to fly LCY-JFK you will need to buy a ticket.

Regards

LGA777

[Matt Molnar]

Our company advised us today BA has placed a permament non-rev embargo on these flights, buisness or pleasure travel, BA or other airline, no exceptions so if you work for BA or any other carrier and want to fly LCY-JFK you will need to buy a ticket.

Regards

LGA777
Lowest fare I found was over $9,000 round trip. I think that explains it. That will also explain why their planes will be empty. :)

(There is some speculation that BA would not start the route without having signed deals with some Wall St and Canary Wharf firms to fly execs back and forth, but who knows).

[Iberia A340-600]

Matt, the times must have changed slightly from their original press release as it does list the times I posted above.


The new service launches with a daily return service except Saturday when London City airport is closed, increasing to two a day from mid-October.
· BA001 departs LCY at 12.40 and arrives JFK at 1705. BA002 departs JFK at 1830 and arrives at LCY at 0705 the following day.
· BA003 departs LCY at 1600 and arrives at JFK at 20.25. BA004 departs JFK at 21.50 and arrives at LCY at 10.25 the following day.

[Matt Molnar]

Sorry, makes sense now.

[Jetinder]

British Airways will be using Concorde flight numbers for this new flight
Thats a huge insult to Concorde as those flight numbers should have been solely reserved for Concorde memory or should have been used for future SSTs used by BA.

[PhilDernerJr]

Though amazing and historic, I don't think the Concorde is capable of being insulted. Low, single-digit flight numbers are very important and valuable to airlines, used to represent important routes and service.

[T-Bird76]

Wow..I'm shocked they are tagging this as BA001....and 002. Nothing to do with the Concorde but London City isn't London's premier airport and a tiny A318 flying the Flagship route of BA...just doesn't say "Flagship" to me. Also who's going to pay 9K? That's nuts... Who wants to take bets when the plug is pulled on this idea?

[Matt Molnar]

Wow..I'm shocked they are tagging this as BA001....and 002. Nothing to do with the Concorde but London City isn't London's premier airport and a tiny A318 flying the Flagship route of BA...just doesn't say "Flagship" to me. Also who's going to pay 9K? That's nuts... Who wants to take bets when the plug is pulled on this idea?
I give it 6 months.

Meanwhile, BA's other brilliant idea, OpenSkies, is down to $680 each way on JFK-CDG.

[mirrodie]

Our company advised us today BA has placed a permament non-rev embargo on these flights, buisness or pleasure travel, BA or other airline, no exceptions so if you work for BA or any other carrier and want to fly LCY-JFK you will need to buy a ticket.

Regards

LGA777
Lowest fare I found was over $9,000 round trip. I think that explains it. That will also explain why their planes will be empty. :)

(There is some speculation that BA would not start the route without having signed deals with some Wall St and Canary Wharf firms to fly execs back and forth, but who knows).

Its somewhat funny.
a.) Concorde roundtrip was less than that and quicker.
b.) 001/002 is reserved for flagship planes or routes of an airline. Surprised at BA. But hey, what do we know?

[JetBlueAirwaysFan]

Got a fare quote on this flight for October (tuesday to tuesday I believe). They quoted me almost $5,500, which is less than the rest of the fares here of $9,000+.

[Matt Molnar]

Current ETA of the first flight is 1654 this afternoon (21 mins early). Anyone going to be around to see it?

[NIKV69]

Was thinking about heading out but didn't like the clouds starting to form right after I got out of work.

[MarkLawrence]

Anyone manage to catch her today?

[Speedbird1]

I am "Speedbird1" and should have been consulted by their management before BAW resumed using the Concorde flight numbers for these A319 flights. Do they have no shame? Were there no other flight numbers to choose from? Why wasn't I consulted? Outrageous. Of course I am joking but seriously they seem to have no respect for those historic Concorde flight numbers. My Concorde flight was memorable and I will never forget!

[planelove]

(There is some speculation that BA would not start the route without having signed deals with some Wall St and Canary Wharf firms to fly execs back and forth, but who knows).

Isnt this what happened with the concorde to toronto? I think that that individual was in the papers recently about his holdings in Canary Wharf.

Additionally, the way the flight works its stops in Shannon to refuel. This way you only have to check in 15min before and they will be clearing US customs in Shannon and arrive as a Domestic Flight.