OpenSkies Joining OneWorld as Affiliate Member

OpenSkies, an airline founded by British Airways in 2008, is set to become an affiliate member of the oneworld alliance starting December 1.

OpenSkies currently operates twice daily flights between New York and Paris, flying daily from Newark Liberty International Airport to Paris-Orly Airport.  Daily service between JFK and Paris-Orly will start in March, 2013.

OpenSkies owes its existence to the open skies treaty between the United States and the European Union as British Airways wanted to reduce its dependence on its hub at London’s Heathrow Airport.

OpenSkies operates a small fleet of Boeing 757 aircraft in a three-class configuration consisting of the Biz Bed business-class cabin, with fully lie-flat beds in a 2-2 configuration, Prem Plus premium economy seats in a 2-2 configuration, and the Eco main cabin in a 3-3 configuration.  Its flights use BA flight codes and its frequent flyer program is the British Airways Executive Club.

As a oneworld affiliate member, OpenSkies will offer members of other oneworld airlines’ frequent flyer programs the ability to redeem mileage awards and earn mileage awards and tier status points on all flights.

(Photo: Wo St)