American Airlines has already announced plans to double the frequency of its newly launched Stansted-New York JFK service from the spring. Introduced at the end of October, the Boeing 767-300 flights feature the carrier’s new Business Class, with fully-motorised lie-flat seats in a 2x2x2 configuration, and a personal in-flight entertainment device with audio and video on demand. Other enhancements include state-of-the-art cabin lighting and ergonomically designed overhead bins. A spacious Business Class lounge, overlooking the airport apron, is scheduled to open at Stansted in the spring. As well as a cyber cafe and wired and wireless internet access, it will also have two shower rooms. In New York, passengers use American’s new US$1.3 billion terminal, which opened at the end of August. Facilities include two Admirals Clubs and a Flagship Lounge. The second daily service will give travellers the choice of a morning or late afternoon departure from Stansted, and an early or late evening flight from New York. “This new service not only gives our business and leisure passengers direct access to American’s hub at JFK, but also brings inbound tourism and business opportunities to the doorstep of the East of England, which has many historic ties with the US,” says Stewart Wingate, managing director, BAA Stansted. EasyJet acquires GB Airways
EasyJet has acquired GB Airways in a £103.5 million (US$213.6 million) deal that will enable it to operate almost one quarter of the landing slots at London Gatwick, making it the airport's largest carrier. The purchase follows a decision by British Airways to terminate its franchise agreement with GB Airways at the end of March and to launch its own services on some of the routes, which are mainly to southern Europe and North Africa. GB Airways operates a fleet of 15 Airbus aircraft across 39 routes. The deal includes all of its 28 Gatwick routes, plus six out of Manchester airport, but excludes its five landing slots at Heathrow. EasyJet's chief executive, Andy Harrison, says that he anticipates the acquisition, which is expected to be finalised in January, to be fully consolidated into easyJet's current business by next winter. Some job losses are anticipated as a result of the takeover, but not among cabin crew. The sale of GB Airways ends several months of uncertainty as to whether or not there would be a management buy-out. China Southern joins SkyTeam
China Southern Airlines has become the first mainland Chinese carrier to join an airline alliance, with confirmation of its membership of SkyTeam. Two more – Air China and Shanghai Airlines – are due to join the Star Alliance next month. Hong Kong-based Dragonair is already an affiliate member of Oneworld. US airlines plan Heathrow debut
Two US carriers have announced plans to launch services to London Heathrow once the Open Skies agreement comes into force in the spring. Continental Airlines intends to introduce twice-daily non-stop flights between Heathrow and both its New York and Houston hubs on March 30, subject to government and slot approval. The airline will continue to offer services to and from London Gatwick to bothNew York (twice daily) and Houston (daily), as well as a seasonal daily link to Cleveland. US Airways is to launch its first service to Heathrow on March 29. The carrier, which also already serves Gatwick, will operate a daily frequency to and from Philadelphia, with tickets available for purchase from December 1. SkyEurope adds Luton
SkyEurope Airlines, which claims to be Central Europe's first low-fare carrier, has launched three routes from London Luton airport. In addition to a double daily service to Bratislava (Vienna) and daily flights to Prague, there are also three departures a week to Kosice and Poprad, in Eastern Slovakia.
Tthe carrier says it hopes to carry up to 400,000 passengers via Luton during the coming year.
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