OpenSkies Announces Introductory Fares to Amsterdam

NEW YORK and AMSTERDAM, Netherlands , Aug. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- OpenSkies, the new premium transatlantic airline from British Airways, has announced that tickets for premium travel between Amsterdam's Schiphol International Airport and New York's John F. Kennedy Airport went on sale Friday, August 1, 2008 at 9:00 a.m. Central European Time on www.flyopenskies.com. Bookings can also be made through travel agents, all British Airways channels including the BA.com website, and via the OpenSkies Concierge Desk. Daily flights from Amsterdam to New York will launch on October 15, 2008 .

With no more than 64 passengers on each flight, OpenSkies will offer a unique premium travel experience from Amsterdam to New York . The company's simplified pricing approach provides true value for money compared with what has been traditionally offered by the long-time incumbent carriers operating on the Amsterdam-New York route. OpenSkies will feature two cabins: BIZ(SM), a business class service featuring the only fully lie-flat beds in that market, offered at prices starting at $1891 each way and PREM+(SM), a completely new service category on the route featuring reclining seats with a 52 inch pitch, offered from $746 each way. All fares listed are for one way travel based on roundtrip purchase.

"We're excited to begin selling tickets on our newest route across the Atlantic as we extend our commitment to bringing passengers a more comfortable and personalized in-flight experience," said Dale Moss , Managing Director of OpenSkies. "We believe we offer a premium service and value proposition second to none, with the only truly lie-flat beds on the Amsterdam -NYC route and a business class seat in our PREM+(SM) cabin at a very attractive price."

OpenSkies, in addition to offering a daily roundtrip flight from Paris to New York , will begin operating a second Boeing 757 from the British Airways fleet on a daily schedule from Amsterdam to New York beginning on October 15, 2008 . OpenSkies plans to operate six aircraft by the end of 2009.

About OpenSkies

OpenSkies is a premium transatlantic airline offering guests superior service, competitive fares and exceptional value. OpenSkies flies from Paris-Orly to New York-JFK and will fly from Amsterdam-Schiphol to New York-JFK. Other European destinations being considered for the airline include Brussels , Frankfurt and Milan . The airline offers guests innovative features onboard, including lie-flat beds in business class, personal entertainment units with 50+ hours of programming, and fresh and healthy meal service. Backed by British Airways, OpenSkies is the first airline created as a result of the Open Skies agreement, which allows airlines to fly between any U.S. and E.U. destination.

All fares require a 10-day advance purchase and must be booked by August 21 for travel starting October 15, 2008 . All pricing includes a fuel surcharge and insurance/security surcharge levied by OpenSkies. BIZ(SM) and PREM+(SM) fares do not include government taxes and fees of approximately $163 plus a $2.50 Sept 11th Security Fee. Change/cancellations fees are as follows: BIZ(SM): $500; PREM+(SM): $200.

SOURCE OpenSkies