BA To Launch All-Business Service To London

British Airways plans to launch twice-daily all-business-class service between New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport and London City Airport in 2009. BA has ordered two Airbus A318s to fly the route that will come into service at an unspecified date next year. The aircraft will be equipped with 32 lie-flat bed seats. BA claimed it will be able to offer a 15-minute checkin in both London and New York. BA had given no previous indications of launching long-haul services from London City, which is mainly used by small commuter aircraft that operate short-haul service. "London City Airport is located minutes away from some of our key corporate customers and is in one of the fastest growing areas of the capital," said BA CEO Willie Walsh. London City is located close to the revitalized Docklands district and is six miles to the east of the U.K. capital's city center. Many major companies, including HSBC, Barclays, Citigroup and WPP, have relocated to Docklands in recent years.