British Airways Launches PrivateConnect Jet Service in US

British Airways has been suffering from cabin crew going on strikes for a total of 22 days this year, but this hasn’t stopped the carrier from launching new services. The airline has teamed up with CitationAir, the Cessna Aircraft Company’s private jet subsidiary, to offer an exclusive service for British Airways passengers who are traveling in the Caribbean and North America.

With the new private jet service, which they have called PrivateConnect, British Airways passengers can register online and call a dedicated number that allows them to pay and go using a credit card. This will enable them to avoid upfront fees and long-term commitments that are usually associated with hiring a private jet.

The PrivateConnect service will cost $6,000 to $10,000 per plane per hour depending on the type of aircraft hired. They will be available to British Airways executive club programme members, anybody that has been one of their passengers in the last year and employees of their corporate clients.

British Airways director of strategy and business units Robert Boyle said that now they will be able to offer their customers a seamless service for flying when they want, where they want. They will offer services to nearly anywhere in the US, Caribbean, Mexico and southern Canada, he added.

Although, due to US aviation rules, British Airways is not allowed to operate domestic flights in America or control an US carrier, they are able to operate private services. However, they are lobbying authorities to get these regulations relaxed. The airline, along with merger partner Iberia, is also trying to get clearance for a transatlantic merger with American Airlines to share revenues and coordinate ticket prices on their most lucrative British-American routes.