AA Picks London’s Stansted Airport for New JFK Service

American Airlines said it will begin daily service from New York (Kennedy) to London’s Stansted Airport October 28 in a direct challenge to Eos and Maxjet, the premium-class carriers that launched their first service on the same route in fall 2005. Premium-only Silverjet serves London (Luton) from Newark.

American, which plans to add a second daily to the route next spring, will offer two-class service, not one, on 767 aircraft with 191 seats in coach and 30 angled lie-flat seats in its new business class. But an American spokeswoman said the airline believes it has an advantage thanks to its network, schedule, lounges and frequent flyer program.

When Eos and Maxjet launched their service, the skeptics questioned not only if the transatlantic premium-class-only concept could work, but also whether enough travelers would accept Stansted as an alternative. American’s entry into the market seemed to validate their choice, as did American Chairman and CEO Gerard Arpey’s explanation of the reason for American’s decision.

American, as well as United, will soon face even more competition from premium-only carriers, with Silverjet getting Transportation Department approval June 28 to begin service between London (Luton) and Chicago. Silverjet told the DOT it plans to begin the service on or about November 7.