British Airways to stop business-class-only New York JFK service

British Airways has decided to stop its business-class-only service between New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and London City Airport being operated since 2009. This is the airline’s one of the two daily flights services being currently operated on the route.

A spokesperson of British Airways said that the business-class-only service on London City-New York JFK route would be stopped this October end during winter schedule. With the end of this exclusive service, the airline will now be left with only 12 daily flights to airports in the New York area from London City, Gatwick Airport and London Heathrow Airport.

The business-class-only London City-New York JFK route was highlighted by the airline only last month in a promotional video. The premium service is being however stopped this October end because of the low corporate travel demand. Moreover, Britain’s June 23 Brexit vote for quitting the European Union also became a catalyst in the airline’s decision now.

The outbound British Airways flights from London City Airport are operated only with Airbus A318 aircrafts because of the airport’s short runway. These aircrafts are the smallest members of Airbus Group’s narrow-body family. The Airbus A318 aircrafts are essentially designed to seat a total of 107 passengers, and offer 32 flat-bed seats in business class cabins for the long-haul U.S. service. Above all, these aircrafts are also required to refuel in Ireland, and British Airways is also taking advantage of this Dublin stopover for getting its passengers cleared for U.S. border controls there itself.

British Airways in an email statement said that the commercial performance of its entire international network is being constantly evaluated. The reduction or increase in its schedules will therefore depend on this evaluation and also whenever such a change is thought to be appropriate. The customers who are being impacted by the airline’s decision to stop operating business-class-only London City-New York JFK service would be offered a full refund or rebooked on some other alternative flight.