Business class airline
Encyclopedia
A business class airline was an airline
concept which emerged during the mid-first decade of the 21st century involving a number of airlines that operated all-business class
services.
The most prominent such airlines have been Eos Airlines
, MAXjet Airways
, Silverjet
and L'Avion
. Early on, the idea was considered potentially lucrative, however the business model became vulnerable when in 2008 oil prices surpassed $100 a barrel. Between late 2007 and 2008, MAXjet, Silverjet and Eos Airlines all ceased operations, with Silverjet ceasing operations on May 30, 2008.
L'Avion continued to trade, and was purchased by British Airways
for its subsidiary Open Skies
at a price of £54m in July 2008.. Open Skies now operates an all Boeing 757
business-class service from Paris Orly Airport ORY direct to Newark Liberty EWR (prior to January 2010 Open Skies flew into New York Kennedy JFK airport). All though on board service is all business class, the airline operates a two types of seat with a BizBed flat bed (the older version of BA's Club World seat) and generously proportioned BizSeat non-flat offering in the rear cabin.
Virgin Atlantic and British Airways
both proposed founding rival all-business class subsidiaries until the oil crisis put an end to Virgin Atlantic's plans. Singapore Airlines
and Lufthansa
offer an all-business class service. Singapore Airlines
flights currently fly the longest and biggest all-business class flights on their Airbus A340-500 from Singapore
to New York
, also the world's longest scheduled flight
and to Los Angeles
. Lufthansa
operates several routes between North America and Germany, as well as between Germany and Asia, using leased Privatair Boeing Business Jets.
In October 2009 British Airways launched a unique, innovative service called "Club World London City" (aka CWLCY) offering a business class only Airbus A318 service between New York JFK and London City Airport LCY. The 32 seats convert to fully flat beds, and BA has two A318s configured in that layout.
Passengers can access text messaging, WiFi and personal audio video on demand in flight. In flight catering is provided by south London eatery Roast.
The westbound service touches down in Ireland to refuel. To minimise wasted time CWLCY passengers go through US Immigration and Customs in Shannon Airport SNN as the aircraft refuels. These CWLCY flights land as domestic flights into New York JFK, so no need to clear customs once again.
Eastbound flights are direct from New York JFK to London City LCY.
The CWLCY service uses the same flight numbers (BA001-BA004) as were previously used by Concorde
. Concorde, which was a single cabin all-premium service, could have been said to be the world's first all business class service, although Concorde's on the ground and on board service was significantly better than that in both Business and First Class.
For the majority of its history Midwest Airlines
of the United States offered an all business class service and cabin configuration its DC-9 and Boeing 717
aircraft. This was discontinued in its later years in an effort to financially survive before being shut down as an individually certificated
independent airline by its new Republic Airways Holdings
owners.
United Airlines
maintains an all premium business "airline within an airline" known as United ps although this is not strictly all business class as three classes of service are offered on board these aircraft, including an economy cabin.
Airline
An airline provides air transport services for traveling passengers and freight. Airlines lease or own their aircraft with which to supply these services and may form partnerships or alliances with other airlines for mutual benefit...
concept which emerged during the mid-first decade of the 21st century involving a number of airlines that operated all-business class
Business class
Business class is a travel class available on many commercial airlines and rail lines, known by brand names which vary by airline or rail company. In the airline industry, it was originally intended as an intermediate level of service between economy class and first class, but many airlines now...
services.
The most prominent such airlines have been Eos Airlines
Eos Airlines
Eos Airlines, Inc. was an American all-business class airline headquartered in Purchase, New York, with its flights from John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York...
, MAXjet Airways
MAXjet Airways
MAXjet Airways was an American, transatlantic, all-business class airline that operated between 2003 and 2007. Its headquarters were located on the grounds of Washington-Dulles International Airport, and in the Dulles area of Loudoun County, Virginia, United States.MAXjet operated services to...
, Silverjet
Silverjet
Silverjet was a British all-business class airline headquartered at London Luton Airport, Luton, Bedfordshire, England, that, prior to the suspension of operations on 30 May 2008, operated services to Newark Liberty International Airport and Dubai International Airport...
and L'Avion
L'Avion
Elysair SAS, operating as L'Avion, was an airline headquartered in Paray Vieille Poste, France, near Wissous. It operated business class only long-haul services between Orly Airport, Paris and Newark Liberty International Airport in the USA....
. Early on, the idea was considered potentially lucrative, however the business model became vulnerable when in 2008 oil prices surpassed $100 a barrel. Between late 2007 and 2008, MAXjet, Silverjet and Eos Airlines all ceased operations, with Silverjet ceasing operations on May 30, 2008.
L'Avion continued to trade, and was purchased by British Airways
British Airways
British Airways is the flag carrier airline of the United Kingdom, based in Waterside, near its main hub at London Heathrow Airport. British Airways is the largest airline in the UK based on fleet size, international flights and international destinations...
for its subsidiary Open Skies
Open skies
Open skies is an international policy concept which calls for the liberalization of rules and regulations on international aviation industry most specially commercial aviation - opening a free market for the airline industry...
at a price of £54m in July 2008.. Open Skies now operates an all Boeing 757
Boeing 757
The Boeing 757 is a mid-size, narrow-body twin-engine jet airliner manufactured by Boeing Commercial Airplanes. Passenger versions of the twinjet have a capacity of 186 to 289 persons and a maximum range of , depending on variant and cabin configuration...
business-class service from Paris Orly Airport ORY direct to Newark Liberty EWR (prior to January 2010 Open Skies flew into New York Kennedy JFK airport). All though on board service is all business class, the airline operates a two types of seat with a BizBed flat bed (the older version of BA's Club World seat) and generously proportioned BizSeat non-flat offering in the rear cabin.
Virgin Atlantic and British Airways
British Airways
British Airways is the flag carrier airline of the United Kingdom, based in Waterside, near its main hub at London Heathrow Airport. British Airways is the largest airline in the UK based on fleet size, international flights and international destinations...
both proposed founding rival all-business class subsidiaries until the oil crisis put an end to Virgin Atlantic's plans. Singapore Airlines
Singapore Airlines
Singapore Airlines Limited is the flag carrier airline of Singapore. Singapore Airlines operates a hub at Changi Airport and has a strong presence in the Southeast Asia, East Asia, South Asia, and "Kangaroo Route" markets...
and Lufthansa
Lufthansa
Deutsche Lufthansa AG is the flag carrier of Germany and the largest airline in Europe in terms of overall passengers carried. The name of the company is derived from Luft , and Hansa .The airline is the world's fourth-largest airline in terms of overall passengers carried, operating...
offer an all-business class service. Singapore Airlines
Singapore Airlines
Singapore Airlines Limited is the flag carrier airline of Singapore. Singapore Airlines operates a hub at Changi Airport and has a strong presence in the Southeast Asia, East Asia, South Asia, and "Kangaroo Route" markets...
flights currently fly the longest and biggest all-business class flights on their Airbus A340-500 from Singapore
Singapore Changi Airport
Singapore Changi Airport , Changi International Airport, or simply Changi Airport, is the main airport in Singapore. A major aviation hub in Southeast Asia, it is about north-east from the commercial centre in Changi, on a site....
to New York
Newark Liberty International Airport
Newark Liberty International Airport , first named Newark Metropolitan Airport and later Newark International Airport, is an international airport within the city limits of both Newark and Elizabeth, New Jersey, United States...
, also the world's longest scheduled flight
Singapore Airlines Flight 21
Singapore Airlines Flight 21 is the longest regular scheduled non-stop flight in the world. It flies from Newark Liberty International Airport to Singapore Changi Airport, covering about miles still air distance in about 18.5 hours flight time. It is operated by an Airbus A340-500...
and to Los Angeles
Los Angeles International Airport
Los Angeles International Airport is the primary airport serving the Greater Los Angeles Area, the second-most populated metropolitan area in the United States. It is most often referred to by its IATA airport code LAX, with the letters pronounced individually...
. Lufthansa
Lufthansa
Deutsche Lufthansa AG is the flag carrier of Germany and the largest airline in Europe in terms of overall passengers carried. The name of the company is derived from Luft , and Hansa .The airline is the world's fourth-largest airline in terms of overall passengers carried, operating...
operates several routes between North America and Germany, as well as between Germany and Asia, using leased Privatair Boeing Business Jets.
In October 2009 British Airways launched a unique, innovative service called "Club World London City" (aka CWLCY) offering a business class only Airbus A318 service between New York JFK and London City Airport LCY. The 32 seats convert to fully flat beds, and BA has two A318s configured in that layout.
Passengers can access text messaging, WiFi and personal audio video on demand in flight. In flight catering is provided by south London eatery Roast.
The westbound service touches down in Ireland to refuel. To minimise wasted time CWLCY passengers go through US Immigration and Customs in Shannon Airport SNN as the aircraft refuels. These CWLCY flights land as domestic flights into New York JFK, so no need to clear customs once again.
Eastbound flights are direct from New York JFK to London City LCY.
The CWLCY service uses the same flight numbers (BA001-BA004) as were previously used by Concorde
Concorde
Aérospatiale-BAC Concorde was a turbojet-powered supersonic passenger airliner, a supersonic transport . It was a product of an Anglo-French government treaty, combining the manufacturing efforts of Aérospatiale and the British Aircraft Corporation...
. Concorde, which was a single cabin all-premium service, could have been said to be the world's first all business class service, although Concorde's on the ground and on board service was significantly better than that in both Business and First Class.
For the majority of its history Midwest Airlines
Midwest Airlines
Midwest Airlines was a U.S.-based airline and was also an operating brand of Republic Airways Holdings based in Oak Creek, Wisconsin. operating from Milwaukee's General Mitchell International Airport...
of the United States offered an all business class service and cabin configuration its DC-9 and Boeing 717
Boeing 717
The Boeing 717 is a twin-engine, single-aisle jet airliner, developed for the 100-seat market. The airliner was designed and marketed by McDonnell Douglas as the MD-95, a third-generation derivative of the DC-9. Capable of seating of up to 117 passengers, the 717 has maximum range of...
aircraft. This was discontinued in its later years in an effort to financially survive before being shut down as an individually certificated
Operating certificate
Operating certificate is a category of license issued by a government agency allowing an individual or company to provide a controlled type of service. These certificates are generally issued for a limited time period...
independent airline by its new Republic Airways Holdings
Republic Airways Holdings
Republic Airways Holdings, Inc. is an aviation holding corporation based in Indianapolis, Indiana, which owns six airlines operating in the United States: Chautauqua Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Republic Airlines, Shuttle America, and the former Lynx Aviation....
owners.
United Airlines
United Airlines
United Air Lines, Inc., is the world's largest airline with 86,852 employees United Air Lines, Inc., is the world's largest airline with 86,852 employees United Air Lines, Inc., is the world's largest airline with 86,852 employees (which includes the entire holding company United Continental...
maintains an all premium business "airline within an airline" known as United ps although this is not strictly all business class as three classes of service are offered on board these aircraft, including an economy cabin.