L'avion : First Exclusively Business-Class Airline between NY and Paris

[Fabb]

L'Avion Announces Inaugural Flight; Reservations Now Open to U.S. Passengers

Wednesday January 3, 8:30 am ET
First Exclusively Business-Class Airline to Connect New York Area and Paris
Launch Celebrated with $999 Roundtrip Fare Promotion for First 1000 Reservations

NEW YORK and PARIS, Jan. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Ushering in a new level of individual comfort and personalized air service for Paris-bound travelers, L'Avion today celebrated its inaugural flight between Paris and the New York area as the first exclusively business class carrier to serve these cities. To celebrate this milestone, L'Avion is offering a special round-trip fare of $999 (including all taxes and fees) for the first 1000 confirmed reservations, available for purchase today at http://www.lavion.com or by phoning 1-866-NYC- ORLY (1-866-692-6759).

With a focus on premium service at an attractive price, L'Avion is the first and only business-class airline connecting New York and Paris from both cities' closest and most convenient airports: Newark Liberty International Airport and Orly South. L'Avion is a convenient and hassle-free alternative to traditional transatlantic travel service, providing a premium level of service and comfort at a low fare. L'Avion proposed very attractive fares: pricing from US$ 1599 including all applicable taxes for a round trip flight from New York -- Paris.

"A burgeoning group of sophisticated and empowered consumers are seeking premium services with financial value," said Marc Rochet, chief executive officer, L'Avion. "We created L'Avion to meet the demands of this discerning community and we are proud to offer them a compelling new option when traveling between New York and Paris that mirrors the high standards they demand in both their personal and professional experiences. We've dubbed this clientele "ParYorkers" because they embody our same mindset with L'Avion that marries the energy and vitality of New York with the sophistication and deep appreciation of culture that can only be found in Paris. We feel we have struck this balance perfectly and we are excited to welcome our new friends on board."

Premium Service at an Attractive Price

L'Avion is designed to create a private and pleasurable environment giving the sensation of traveling in a large private jet. With just 90 seats onboard the specially-outfitted Boeing 757-200, two rows of two seats are separated by a wide central aisle, thus ensuring a window or an aisle for every traveler. The cabin is subtle and comfortable with each seat reclining up to 140 degrees for optimal comfort. Power outlets are at every seat and travelers have individual digital video players with on demand film service.

Travel with L'Avion is a culinary delight. Seasonal menus will blend color, flavor and freshness corresponding to the time of year. Every meal is served individually on a tablecloth, while French wines and champagnes selected by the renowned Frank Lucet, wine expert and member of "Les Toques du Ciel." In addition, breakfast is served prior to landing in Paris with snack served before arrival in New York.

L'Avion has selected quiet and refined environments within the customs zones at Newark and Orly.

Convenient Scheduling

L'Avion's flight schedule meets the needs of both business and leisure travelers via gateways in New York and Paris that are closest and most convenient to downtown.

Departs Arrives Days
(local time) (local time)
Newark to Orly 7:30 PM 8:40 AM Mon, Tues, Weds, Thurs, Fri, Sun
Orly to Newark 2:00 PM 4:45 PM Mon, Tues, Weds, Thurs, Fri, Sun

Newark Liberty is 22 miles to New York, as compared to JFK at 34 miles. Similarly, Orly is 10 miles to Paris, as compared to Roissy at 17 miles.

Best of Breed Team and Partners

A new brand for a unique concept, the idea for L'Avion was in development for more than four years. The L'Avion team combines recognized expertise in air transport and finance to ensure the efficient and optimal functioning of the airline. In addition, L'Avion has partnered with respected organizations renowned worldwide for maintenance, aircraft servicing, catering and other functional elements.

"L'Avion began booking reservations in France last month and we are extremely pleased with the interest and demand for this unique new transatlantic travel offer," added Rochet.

[nito]

This is sort of thing has just begun, but I'd expect a few more carriers, more routes and services to spring up in the coming years.

The only other business-only trans-Atlantic carriers I can think of at the moment are:
MAXjet Airways: London Stansted - New York JFK/Washington Dulles/Las Vegas McCarran
Silverjet: London Luton - New York Newark
Eos Airlines: London Stansted - New York JFK

PrivatAir is interesting in that it appears to charter itself out to other carriers, unlike L'Avion, MAXjet, Silverjet and Eos Airlines which are completely seperate carriers.

[VivaLFuego]

JFK is 34 miles from New York? That doesn't sound right. km?

[AJphx]

well JFK is in New York.... they must mean 34 miles to manhattan.

but if thats what you meant too, I have know idea the distance, miles or km...

[Kroy Wen]

JFK is 18 miles of road from 100 Fifth Avenue, Manhattan.
EWR (Newark) is 13 miles of road from 100 Fifth Avenue, Manhattan.

I picked a central location. Frankly I'd say your commute time in a town car/taxi from either airport is about equal in light to moderate traffic. But from JFK you've got two tunnel and five bridge options, while from EWR only two tunnels. And when the Holland and Lincoln stack up, it can add an extra hour or more.
Score- JFK

As per rail transport (which I doubt many of these posh customers will use) it's perhaps slightly quicker from EWR than JFK. Both use an airside lightrail to connect to heavy commuter rail, and both terminate at Penn Station. LIRR (JFK), NJT (EWR).
Score- Tossup since the LIRR runs trains more frequently than NJT.

I suspect they chose the airport that gave them the best deal on terminal/landing rights or however these deals are made- someone in the airline industry can probably explain that.

[Kroy Wen]

I should add from EWR there is also the GW Bridge, but anyone who knows traffic around here will agree this is another crapshoot when it comes to stack-ups, but it is an option for accessing the Upper East and West Sides when the tunnels are maxed out.

This is probably why they chose early and mid afternoon landing slots (14hr/16.45hr).

Sounds like a great service- would love to sample the nibbles!;)

[Fabb]

BA boosts OpenSkies with L'Avion

By Kevin Done in London

Published: July 3 2008 03:00 | Last updated: July 3 2008 03:00

British Airways is accelerating the growth of its recently launched OpenSkies subsidiary through the acquisition of L'Avion, the Paris-based all-business class airline.

BA said it would pay £54m ($107.6m), including £26m of cash in the business. L'Avion, the trading name of Elysair, began flying in January last year between Paris Orly and New York Newark airports and is the only survivor of the four all-business class airlines launched in the past three years across the North Atlantic.

The three rival start-up airlines - Maxjet and Eos of the US, and Silverjet of the UK - have all collapsed into bankruptcy in the face of mounting losses and sharply rising fuel costs.

BA has decided to acquire the small French carrier to secure its take-off and landing slots at the slot-constrained Paris Orly airport as well as to accelerate the expansion of OpenSkies.

The BA subsidiary was launched last month

between Paris Orly and New York JFK airports as one of BA's main moves to take advantage of the "open skies" treaty between the US and the European Union, which came into operation at the end of March. The treaty has made it possible for the first time for any EU carrier to fly to any point in the US - with reciprocal rights for US airlines in the EU.

OpenSkies marks the first time that BA has operated direct long-haul flights between continental Europe and the US.

Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2008

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/615d6548-4899-11dd-a851-000077b07658.html