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Posted by admin on Saturday November 20, 2010 | Airline News | 838 views

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Tags: British Airways New York

Earlier this week, UK’s flagship carrier British Airways celebrates anniversary of London to New York business class service, started last year. The first anniversary of this exquisite service was marked by filming the service from beginning to end. The airline took a two-man film crew from BBC’s Fast Track program to capture the moment on film (BBC World / BBC news channel). A British Airways spokesman was onboard together with a British Airways gold card holder and frequent flier, who provided interviews from the customer’s point of view.

This first ever long-haul Club World service from London City airport to New York was launched in September 2009 and operated twice-daily. The special service only offers business class flights to New York. Here are some quick facts and interesting information about this flight:

1. This Flight carries the airline’s most prestigious flight number, BA001, previously used by Concorde until its retirement in 2003.
2. It is fitted with just 32 seats, which convert to fully flat beds
3. The aircraft, specifically configured for the purpose is Airbus A318
4. The flight stops at Shannon in the west of Ireland for a brief refueling, before moving on to New York non-stop.
5. Customers clear US Customs and Immigration midway at the Shannon Airport, during refueling.
6. It is the only aircraft in the BA fleet equipped with on-air Wi-Fi allowing customers to connect to the internet during flight and the only such service across the Atlantic.
7. Return flights from New York are non-stop, as the aircraft can use JFK’s full-length runways and take off with sufficient fuel for the whole transatlantic crossing.
8. Customers can check in just 15 minutes before departure
9. Customers on this plane are offered a dedicated departure gate with lounge facilities
10. As Customs and Immigration are cleared at Shannon, Ireland, valuable time on arrival at JFK airport is saved.

Willie Walsh, British Airways’ chief executive said at the time of launch:

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.”

He further added: Every aspect of this service has been designed to maximize convenience for customers to fly between the world’s two biggest business centers – 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 e-mail and texts. Above all the exclusive service style will bring the feel of a private jet to a business class cabin.

British Airways this special flight service is one of its kind in the whole continent.