Former BA executive launches new airline
Join Date: May 2004
Location: London
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Infor from Speednews "Aircraft Insider" today
Just FYI thought someone may be interested:
"EOS (formerly Atlantic Express), NY leased three ex-Mexicana 757-200s (24964/26332/27351) with PW2040s from ILFC for 3Q05 startup of transatlantic service (initially JFK-Stansted) in 48 pax configuration."
Best regards
"EOS (formerly Atlantic Express), NY leased three ex-Mexicana 757-200s (24964/26332/27351) with PW2040s from ILFC for 3Q05 startup of transatlantic service (initially JFK-Stansted) in 48 pax configuration."
Best regards
I wonder how often this "premium London to New York airline" has come up over the years. Even the original Virgin Atlantic plans were for such a service until RB took control from Randolph Fields.
Concorde only managed it by being way different to anything else, and by being an integral part of BA.
What those offering it seem not to realise is that there is already plenty of such product offered, as First Class, by the existing carriers with multiple daily departures which those travelling this way really value (ie leave when the meeting finishes, not when the airline schedule dictates), carriers they and their travel arrangers are already familiar with for all other destinations. Carriers who can flex their F loads up and down with op-ups when business travel dips, like at holiday periods when Y is getting sold out.
Concorde only managed it by being way different to anything else, and by being an integral part of BA.
What those offering it seem not to realise is that there is already plenty of such product offered, as First Class, by the existing carriers with multiple daily departures which those travelling this way really value (ie leave when the meeting finishes, not when the airline schedule dictates), carriers they and their travel arrangers are already familiar with for all other destinations. Carriers who can flex their F loads up and down with op-ups when business travel dips, like at holiday periods when Y is getting sold out.
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: UK
Posts: 127
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I didn't think this sort of service would ever start up out of Luton, sadly it's the stigma that's attached to Luton airport (though true its a sh$t hole).
I guess STN and LGW are the best options.
But on a clapped out 757? Surely a sleek BBJ or 319 would be better....
who knows....
I guess STN and LGW are the best options.
But on a clapped out 757? Surely a sleek BBJ or 319 would be better....
who knows....
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: FLorida
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
lotsa biz pax, lotsa room, and lotsa money
Sounds like a winning formula. Go for the big money passengers, give them unmatched comfort on the plane, and begin with a lot of money. I'd like to see this for domestic service...I wonder what it costs?
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: East Midlands Airport (EMA)
Posts: 906
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Interestingly, it says that "Eos" was previously known as "Atlantic Express" which if I remember correctly was also planning trans-Atlantic services but as a no-frills service. Clearly, they've re-looked at the business plan knowing no-frills really only works on short/medium-haul routes and have instead gone for the tried, tested & successful formula of Privatair.
Anyone got contact details or whether the market could really support TWO business class airlines?
Anyone got contact details or whether the market could really support TWO business class airlines?
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: North of the border
Age: 71
Posts: 383
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Fly First are having some difficulty in getting the start up funding required. Below is some of the text from an article in today's Scotsman. Looks like another paper airline bites the dust.
HAMISH Taylor, the former Eurotunnel and British Airways executive, has been forced to extend the funding deadline for his planned business class-only airline after failing to raise the required £23.5m by Friday's deadline.
Taylor said his Fly First venture was short of several million pounds at the end of last week, when the funding package was meant to be complete. A final deadline of June 24 has now been set.
Taylor, whose plans were first revealed in Scotland on Sunday, said: "We have a gap and the gap is several million, so we are just going to keep plugging away at it."
Raising cash through private equity has taken longer than expected because the venture is seen as relatively risky.
"We have gone down a very difficult route. In some ways I am frustrated we have to stop at the end of June because we are getting more support all the time."
HAMISH Taylor, the former Eurotunnel and British Airways executive, has been forced to extend the funding deadline for his planned business class-only airline after failing to raise the required £23.5m by Friday's deadline.
Taylor said his Fly First venture was short of several million pounds at the end of last week, when the funding package was meant to be complete. A final deadline of June 24 has now been set.
Taylor, whose plans were first revealed in Scotland on Sunday, said: "We have a gap and the gap is several million, so we are just going to keep plugging away at it."
Raising cash through private equity has taken longer than expected because the venture is seen as relatively risky.
"We have gone down a very difficult route. In some ways I am frustrated we have to stop at the end of June because we are getting more support all the time."
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: London FIR
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
...sadly it's the stigma that's attached to Luton Airport (though true its a sh$t hole).
easyprison - I'd be interested to know why you describe Luton in such derogatory terms. Whilst I'd entirely agree that Luton Town is a dump best seen from the window of a train (preferably one that's not stopping) the Airport is now becoming a quite different animal.
Your profile suggests that you're 737 rated with EZY and since EZY continues to have a significant presence at Luton, clearly your employer sees Luton as financially worthwhile even if you're not enamoured with the place.
As a Cat. 3b H24 corporate aviation facility, Luton is extremely popular as witnessed by the VIPs and CIPs that regularly use it: the Kuwaiti Royal Family, the Saudi Royal Family, the owner of Chelsea FC Roman Abramovich, the England Football Team, the FA, numerous US corporate bankers and heads of corporations, etc., etc.
Such passengers do not use the main terminal (which, if its general state is to what you refer, one can only observe that this must in large extent, be down to your company's customers...) but either Harrods' or Signature's facilities and the same would apply to any premium-rate scheduled operation.
The changes and improvements that are taking place in Luton Airport's facilities are dramatic and any 'stigma' that remains from the 1970s/1980s does so only in the minds of those who are sadly, stuck in a timewarp or who have a personal axe to grind.
