British Airways is celebrating the second anniversary of its unique business class-only service between London City and New York’s JFK.
Launched in the middle of a deep recession, the service has defied sceptics to win over business travellers flying between two of the world’s biggest financial centres.
Since it was launched on September 29, 2009, 97 per cent of the service’s flights to New York have departed on time from London City, while 90 per cent of flights to London have departed on time from New York.
And now British Airways is using the very latest technology by providing customers with their own 64GB iPads to watch the service’s bespoke in-flight entertainment options.
Richard Tams, British Airways’ head of UK&I sales and marketing, said: “Despite the economic downturn, there is no doubt that the service has become a firm favourite with many of our customers on the important London to New York route.
“With easy access from the City and Canary Wharf, a 15-minute check-in to departure, in-flight texting and internet access, it has been tailor-made to provide them with the most productive way to fly across the Atlantic.
“We’re very pleased to be marking the two-year anniversary of this exclusive service and will continue with more innovations to meet our customer’s needs.”
In addition to iPads loaded with specially chosen content to give customers a bespoke in-flight entertainment experience, British Airways is also trialling the use of iPads with pursers on the route to bring a new dimension to customer service in the air.
Each iPad is specially loaded with British Airways apps designed to give cabin crew information on customers, from their previous travel arrangements, to connecting flights and special meal requests, enabling them to offer a truly personalised service.
They also give cabin crew a library of information at their fingertips, including timetables, safety manuals and customer service updates. Thanks to the service’s OnAir connectivity, updates can also be delivered to the crew during the flight, which can then be given to customers.
It is expected that the new technology will be appreciated by customers who have already rated the service with consistently high customer satisfaction scores since the double daily business-class only route began.
The Airbus A318 aircraft operates with a maximum of 32 fully flat seats onboard and offers customers 15-minute check-in to departure and US customs clearance in Shannon, Ireland, where the flight stops westward for a brief refuelling.
The London – New York route is an important market for British Airways, which flies eight times daily to JFK from Heathrow and three times a day to Newark. British Airways offer a range of business and luxury hotels in New York, which can be booked on ba.com together with business flights from London City for guaranteed savings than if booking separately.
