OpenSkies Completes Merger with L’Avion

04-08-2009

 - Deal Creates Unique All Business Airline –

 

Paris, April 8, 2009 – OpenSkies, the unique all business airline operating nonstop flights between New York (Kennedy and Newark) and Paris (Orly), and between New York (Kennedy) and Amsterdam (Schiphol), announced today that it has completed its merger with L’Avion, the first all business class French airline. The combined airline, now referred to as OpenSkies, offers customers a single, premiere Business Class brand that will continue to provide a unique experience, combining comfort with quality and personalized service at a highly-competitive rate in today’s market.

 

A premium subsidiary of British Airways, OpenSkies has been working to fully integrate L’Avion since it acquired the airline in 2008. This is the first European transatlantic merger to include full integration.  

 

Dale Moss, Managing Director of OpenSkies said, “We are pleased that the completion of our merger with L’Avion went very smoothly, and look forward to the array of opportunities for the new airline. Marc Rochet, former L’Avion CEO, was instrumental and an invaluable resource leading the technical and operational aspect of the merger. Amid the current economic environment, OpenSkies offers the kind of value that is a rarity in the industry:  A premium flying experience without prohibitive costs. For business and leisure travelers, value is of critical importance in this tough time, and we remain committed to offering travelers a broad range of services, amenities and value, all at a competitive price.”

 

Travelers flying the new OpenSkies will benefit from additional enhancements and will receive the same advantages they experienced with both L’Avion and OpenSkies – flexible pricing structure, premium comfort, personalized service, and exceptional value. The new OpenSkies will provide customers with the best of both airlines.  Noticeable changes include:   

 

§  BIZ has been renamed Biz Bed. The cabin is equipped with 12 seats, ensuring optimal comfort at competitive prices. The electronically-powered seats recline to 180 degrees and can be transformed into a completely lie-flat bed.

 

§  PREM+ has been renamed Biz Seat. The Biz Seat cabin is comprised of up to 72 seats, ensuring passengers comfort and value when traveling across the Atlantic. The seats recline to 140 degrees with a pitch of 51 inches and the spacious cabin is configured with 2-by-2 seating.

 

§  The L’Avion Boeing 757-200 fleet is being repainted with the updated OpenSkies livery, with the last aircraft being completed by mid-May. The name “OpenSkies” will be written in purple on the planes’ fuselage, mixing in tones of L’Avion’s signature purple as a tribute to that airline. The future Biz Bed and Biz Seat cabins will continue to be elegantly furnished with the addition of purple accents. OpenSkies plans to operate with its existing four aircraft until the current economic environment improves.

 

§  The company’s Operating Certificate is now located in France, resulting in the company relocating headquarters to Orly, Paris, one of OpenSkies’ primary hubs. Additional employees will be based in New Jersey.

 

§  The OpenSkies crew and management will be comprised of the top team members from both airlines. Dale Moss will remain Managing Director and Marc Rochet, former L’Avion CEO, is now Executive Vice President. Mr. Moss and Mr. Rochet worked to facilitate a smooth integration of staff and crew through the merger and Mr. Moss will utilize Mr. Rochet’s expertise in his new role at OpenSkies.  

 

Travelers flying OpenSkies will continue to experience a unique configuration (up to 84 seats compared to the usual 220 seats on a traditional 757-200) and the following amenities:

 

§  Competitive roundtrip pricing for both cabins as low as $1,100 in Biz Seat cabin and $2,211 in Biz Bed cabin for Paris.  For Amsterdam, roundtrip pricing is as low as $875 in the Biz Seat cabin and $2078 in the Biz Bed cabin.

 

§  Exceptional plated dining service with a selection of wine and champagne

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