LGW From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Posted (6 years 5 months 1 week 2 days 12 hours ago) and read 2504 times:
Had a search but couldn't find any info on this.
"US airline plans business only Miami - Gatwick flights
11.12.06
A US company plans to launch business class only flights between Miami and Gatwick if it wins court approval to take over a bankrupt airline.
Icon International Holdings has agreed to buy bankrupt Falcon Air Express for $4.2 million, subject to approval by the bankruptcy court. Miami-based Falcon Air Express filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in May and laid off 73 of its 169 employees. The airline has continued to fly with a reduced fleet as it worked to reorganize.
Icon said it plans to offer business-class only flights, with flatbed seats, gourmet cuisine, Internet connectivity, satellite TV and entertainment systems at each seat. Icon CEO Alan Brooks said the airline intends to launch service next year on routes including Miami to Gatwick, New York's JFK, Los Angeles, Mexico City and Toronto."
Bongodog1964 From United Kingdom, joined Oct 2006, 3016 posts, RR: 2 Reply 1, posted (6 years 5 months 1 week 2 days 12 hours ago) and read 2464 times:
IMO they would be hard pressed to get decent slots at LGW, the line for take off is horrendous at the times that US flights generally depart.
Bongodog1964 From United Kingdom, joined Oct 2006, 3016 posts, RR: 2 Reply 3, posted (6 years 5 months 1 week 2 days 12 hours ago) and read 2419 times:
Quoting Vasu (Reply 2): How much demand is there for these UK-USA business-class flights?!
Maxjet seems to be surviving from STN, they do however have the advantage of STN being North of London, so they have a slightly different catchment area.
In addition it seems that their definition of business class is approx 1/2 way between say BA WTP & Club or VS PE & Upper Class.
Flying from LGW theres a lot more competition. I can think of two factors the exising airlines have multiple departures available on the JFK route, so the timing on a limited schedule might be a problem. And LGW - Miami can't have a huge number of premium seats available at present. Could a new entrant grab enough of the passengers to justify it.
OB1504 From United States of America, joined Jul 2004, 2966 posts, RR: 8 Reply 6, posted (6 years 5 months 1 week 2 days 9 hours ago) and read 2153 times:
Quoting AlanUK (Reply 5): Not a lot, Miami is more a leisure route than business. Hence why all BA flights to Miami are configured on the Low Club World 747s!
Contrary to popular belief, Miami also boasts a healthy business demand. We're home of the world headquarters of companies like Burger King and the home of the Latin American offices of many other corporations. It's not all leisure.
I wonder what heavy aircraft will look like in Falcon Air Express colors, or if they'll go ahead and introduce a new color scheme.
MAH4546 From Sweden, joined Jan 2001, 31115 posts, RR: 74 Reply 9, posted (6 years 5 months 1 week 2 days 7 hours ago) and read 1969 times:
Quoting AlanUK (Reply 5):
Not a lot, Miami is more a leisure route than business. Hence why all BA flights to Miami are configured on the Low Club World 747s!
Shows how much you know. Do you really think British Airways flew the Concorde to Miami for eight years to cater to tourists?
There is significant business demand between Miami and London, and BA, VS, and AA's planes go out full in the premium cabins frequently. In fact, American Airlines flights 56/57 (MIA-LHR-MIA) is the single most profitable LON-USA flight of the ninteen daily flights American Airlines flies to London.
Just because BA choses to use the higher density configuration doesn't mean much. Miami was one of the first cities in BA's network to switch to 4-class service when it was introduced. Virgin Atlantic uses lower-density aircraft on their MIA service.
Now, whether or not this airline is going to work (if it ever gets off the ground) is a big question mark. There isn't the bulk demand for business class that there obviously is from New York City or Chicago, and it is going to be tough to get passengers to switch.
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