Virgin to launch business class-only transatlantic carrier

Virgin Atlantic Airways revealed yesterday that it intends to launch a business class-only carrier within the next 12-18 months. In a first stage, the new airline will fly transatlantic routes to the US from London and other European cities including Paris, Frankfurt, Milan and Zurich. Direct flights from points throughout the EU to the US will be possible under the new open skies regime that will take effect March 30, 2008. Virgin did not say which aircraft it would use to operate the flights. British Airways indicated last month that it was considering an all-business-class product to compete with Eos, MAXjet and Silverjet, which offer business-class-only service linking London to the US.