Comments on: OpenSkies to Paris, Part One

By: The Cranky Flier » NBTA: OpenSkies’ Earth-Shaking Announcement in Los Angeles

Wed, 30 Jul 2008 14:32:57 +0000

[...] to make a big difference. I agree, but I wonder if it’s enough. They have what looks like a fantastic product, but their fares don’t seem very high right now. I asked Dale if this was simply a strategic [...]

By: Vsevolod4

Vsevolod4 — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 15:58:21 +0000

Great post, Lucky. Once correction, the Biz cabin has 2 cabins; 3 rows and 3 rows, not 4 and 2 (as your photo of the second cabin with 3 rows shows).

And kudos to OpenSkies

By: lucky

lucky — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 23:14:13 +0000

BAboy, thanks SO MUCH for the insight, all very interesting stuff! Nice to have some answers.

-Ben

By: BAboy

BAboy — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 10:43:00 +0000

I am BA employee in the UK and have read your excellent post and thought I might be able to shed some light on your operational and product questions and remarks.

You are correct the flight crew are based in BRU and not PAR. This decision was taken by Openskies based as with all airlines on cost. It is cheaper to base them in BRU than in PAR. The heavy aircraft maintanance is done by BA engineering in Cardiff. The day to day maintanance is handled by BA engineering in JFK.

As you mentioned the Cabin Crew are all JFK based. This desicion was I believe taken as Openkies plans to operate all it’s services from Europe to JFK. There maybe other destanations added in the US at a later date but they are concentrating on NYC for now. The Crew’s SEP training is done at BA’s Cranebank training facility. The cabin service was done in NYC using BA trainers and retired BA crew.

The Flight Crew can not be US based as the aircarft and the company is registered in Europe and under current regulations pilots must also be.

The Prem+ seat is a modernised version of the pre flat bed Club World seat that was phased out between 1999 and 2002.

I had to chuckle at you comment about the diet coke. I don’t know on how many flights to the US customers have remarked on the size of the cans. They are perfect size really. As the are perfect for a mixer with a alchol beverage. Also they fill the average glass using one can. Not to mention you can store more of them and more of a range in bar carts.

I am glad you enjoyed the PREM+ product. I really think BA and Openskies will be able to make this venture a sucess.

By: Brendog

Brendog — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 16:28:46 +0000

I’m hoping that my experience this evening will be as positive as yours. I just couldn’t pass up 2 tix to Paris for under $2000.

I’ll post my experiences on FT…

Cheers

Brendog

By: Amuhlmahay

Amuhlmahay — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 12:29:04 +0000

I think the festivities at JFK were for the 2nd flight. That was when the airline’s MD, Dale Moss, flew out.
Regarding the Prem+ meal being an Economy meal…that’s the BA model following the World Traveller Plus plan.
Brussels? Why Brussels? That’s where the engineering base for OpenSkies is.

By: MatthewLAX

MatthewLAX — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 15:17:14 +0000

Lucky! Great report (as usual).

By: wiredboy10003 (same on FT)

wiredboy10003 (same on FT) — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 19:32:03 +0000

It looks like the entertainment device was some version of the Archos Media Player.

By: lucky

lucky — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 16:48:10 +0000

Thanks for the comments guys!

Pat– darn you guys for taking all the bread!

Gray– Heh, I was actually thinking the same thing and specifically checked, but it didn’t.:(

Cranky– I always have my UA pin on one of my sports coats, and refuse to take it off. Out-dorking you? I’m honored!

By: Cranky Flier

Cranky Flier — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 14:55:46 +0000

Great post, and thanks for the pics. Are they really plating Economy meals? That seems quite surprising, though maybe they’re just not boarding carts. Also interesting to see that FAs are all US-based.

Seriously – you were wearing a UA pin on your trip?! You sir, have easily out-dorked me.