The carrier is to launch the only service from London Heathrow to Paris Orly airport, competing with Cityjet’s service from London City, and complementing BA’s OpenSkies operations.
As detailed on our forum today, the service will commence on January 10, initially with 12 flights per week, rising to 14 flights per week from summer 2011.
BA has confirmed the route is going ahead, with tickets on sale from tomorrow (November 16).
For the winter season flight BA334 will depart Heathrow at 1005 (Monday to Saturday), arriving in Orly at 1225, while BA338 will leave Heathrow at 1920 (Monday to Friday, and Sunday), arriving in Orly at 2140.
The inbound leg BA331 will leave Paris at 0725 (Monday to Saturday), arriving into Heathrow at 0755, while BA335 will leave Orly at 1335 (Monday to Saturday), arriving at 1405.
From March 27 these flights become twice daily, departing Heathrow at 0955 and 1935, (arriving 1215 and 2155) and departing Orly at 0830 and 1340 (arriving 0900 and 1410).
The route will be operated with A319, A320 and A321 aircraft, configured with Euro Traveller and Club Europe seating.
The news is interesting for several reasons. BA has previously plied the Heathrow-Paris Orly route, although it currently only flies to the larger Paris CDG airport. But its subsidiary OpenSkies operations depart from Orly to New York and Washington, and soon-to-be-merged-partner Iberia also serves the airport. Orly also offers several routes to North African destinations.
The facility is considered the city’s main domestic airport, and it’s also convenient for travellers looking to access areas in the south of the French capital, being located around 15km south of the city centre.
The only current service between London and Paris Orly is from London City with Air France KLM subsidiary Cityjet. The carrier flies up to six-times daily depending on the day of the week.
For more information visit ba.com.
Report by Mark Caswell
