London City to get New York link, AOA

Release Date: 2009-06-24

British Airways is to put on the first ever flights from London City Airport to New York''s JFK as the airline tries to expand despite the economic downturn.

The flights, using Airbus A318 aircraft, will also be the first to have web access onboard a transatlantic trip.

Willie Walsh, chief executive of British Airways, said: "In the harshest trading environment airlines have experienced, we believe it is more important than ever to embrace the future and innovate."

The new route offers passengers the chance to bypass normal US customs and immigration as they can complete all the checks when the plane refuels at Shannon Airport in west Ireland.

There will also be 32 seats available on the flights that can be converted into flat beds.

In other airline news, the German airline Deutsche Lufthansa has confirmed it is to buy British Midland Airways'' for around £223 million.

Type:	NORMAL
Company:	AOA
Country:	Germany
Url:	http://www.aoa.org.uk/media/latest_news_view.asp?NEWS_ID=19234898