View Full Version : KLM all business flights
AVeight
31st Aug 2005, 11:16
Dear All,
KLM have announced all Business class flights to begin in October using Privatair aircraft. Question I have are:
1) is this a sensible way for the majors to go?
2) and if so, how soon (if ever) do you think BA & Virgin will begin?
I do know that Virgin were looking at all business class flights from Biggin Hill a few years ago but plans for that were shelved after 9/11. I don't know whether they will be reviving these or not!
172driver
31st Aug 2005, 12:00
it's already done by SWISS (also using a Privatair a/c), ZRH - NY (Newark I think, but not sure).
AVeight
31st Aug 2005, 12:37
172driver
I know that Lufthansa also offer such a service and so do I believe do Qatar Airways. Will others follow suit and is so will BA & Virgin?
Not Long Now
31st Aug 2005, 12:43
FAirly sure BA have had an all business layout for several years on the JFK LHR.
AVeight
31st Aug 2005, 13:01
Not Long Now
:O ....I' referring to the type of business class where you can strech out!
flying brain
16th Oct 2005, 14:25
1. The biggest J configuration with BA LHR JFK is 77J.
2. BA and VS operate from the artificicially and politically constrained LHR where demand on runway and more importantly terminal capacity makes a small all J aircraft unlikely for now.
3. PrivatAir will operate over 60 weekly Atlantic crossings for KL, LH, and LX this winter season with more apparently to follow.
4. Qatar have 100 seat A319LR in operation. There are no other scheduled commercial operators apart from PrivatAir.
5. This is a very specialist business, and B737 / A319 ETOPS operations don't fit nicely into mainline rosters or training.
6. This is a specialist business also due to the super high B737 A319 utilisations, up to 6,300 hours per annum , or almost twice the BA 747 average annual utilisation. Maintenance programmes have to be re-written and again this does not sit easily next to mainline B737 A319 maintenance programmes.
7. Finally the big crunch - try and finance commercially a B737 BBJ or an A319LR - both are hybrid aircraft with no logical homes after PTI, and therefore are a financial nightmare to lease.