OpenSkies, the new BA subsidiary which plans to operate flights from Europe direct to the US, has received clearance from Britain’s Civil Aviation Authority to take to the skies.

At the same time, the airline has announced that its first route will be from Orly airport in Paris to New York JFK and will be a codeshare with all business carrier L’Avion. In February, the airline originally said it would start its first flights from the French capital’s Charles de Gaulle airport.

Dale Moss, OpenSkies' managing director, said on the airline’s blog today: “If you remember, we announced on February 21 that we planned to be flying from John F. Kennedy (JFK) to Charles de Gaulle (CDG). Even after that announcement we were working hard to obtain slots at our preferred airport, Orly. Just this week we got them through a codeshare agreement with L’Avion and made the switch.

A BA spokeswoman said that OpenSkies would seek deeper cooperation with L’Avion in the future.

Moss continued: “We chose Orly because it is more conveniently located to the centre of Paris and offers faster access to and from the city than CDG. The distance from Orly to central Paris is roughly 19km or 12 miles, whereas the distance from CDG to central Paris is roughly 28km or 17 miles. Five miles can make all the difference—especially in rush hour.”

The airline hopes to launch services on 19 June but still needs the OK from the US Department of Transportation. The airline's planes will be refurbished 757s fitted with 82 seats in three classes: 24 flat bed seats in business class, 28 premium economy seats with a 52” seat pitch (larger than the existing World Traveller Plus) and 30 economy seats.

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