Since when was OpenSkies supposed to make money? Can anyone else imagine starting a new business only airline with obselete aircraft in the current financial climate and expect it to be profitable?
The whole concept is to introduce new T&C's for pilots /cabin crew and a low cost management structure. It will take time, but gradually more and more aircraft and routes that BA Mainline could operate will go to OS. BA already has the spare aircraft, crew and product, so why mess about with OS?
British Airways are so desperate to make it work, they are putting tent cards advertising OpenSkies on the meal trays of its own Club World passengers out of North American stations. In other words BA taunts its own customers with the fact that they paid twice as much (or more) to fly BA with a proper flat bed, than OS.
What is not advertised is that the OS 757's do not have BA's AVOD entertainment system as weight is critical (especially in the winter).
Now Air France has put its tanks on BA's lawn by switching their B777 from LHR/LAX to JFK, arguably the world's most prestigious route. What is BA's response? An OS 757? What a joke.
Last edited by Poof in Boots; 28th Oct 2008 at 10:10.