Open Skies plan shifts.

British Airways has changed it's plans for a new operation from continenl Europe to the US. BA has been preparing six Boeing 757-200s for its OpenSkies subsidiary. The aircraft have retrofitted 'winglets' which will increase fuel efficiency by up to 5%. In this period of record oil prices, that's a big saving.

There is a three-class cabin with 82 seats: 24 lie-flat seats in Business Class that are six feet long, which is being called 'biz'. 28 in Premium Economy, called 'Prem+', with 52" seat pitch (the most for this class in any airline, claims BA), and 30 in Economy. The aircraft interior has been refurbished, with new carpets, décor and overhead luggage lockers. It will have its full complement of six by the end of 2009.

Personal entertainment units will be available for all seats with more than 50hrs of programmes available. It is clear that BA knows its customers: rather than go for the US style of charging for alcohol, there will be an 'extensive' wine list. To save money, wine will be poured from bottles rather than handed out in the miniature plastic versions BA use on their mainline services. The food menu will be more of an 'a la carte' style.

While OpenSkies customers will earn Executive Club miles, the subsidiary will not be part of the oneworld alliance.

In a dramatic turn-around of original plans British Airways' transatlantic subsidiary OpenSkies will operate to New York JFK from Paris Orly instead of the planned Paris Charles de Gaulle to New York JFK service. Coming soon with be Brussels to JFK (it has not announced which Belgian airport yet). Pending regulatory approval, OpenSkies aims to fly to the US city from other European cities.

BA will also be forming a partnership with Orly-based business-only carrier L'Avion from its launch, L'Avion's code will be placed on OpenSkies flights between Orly and JFK, although the new airline's code will not be on any of the French carrier's flights.

There is still no date in June confirmed for OpenSkies' inaugural service, but BA seems confident that the impending High Court hearing - which will decide whether its pilots can strike legally regarding the outsourcing of jobs for the new airline - will not delay its plans.

Question marks have been raised on the viability of the business-only model in the face of such extreme fuel prices at a time of economic downturn, especially following Eos' collapse at the end of April.