London City to New York launched in October 2009 and I worked on the project readiness and delivery.

My role was to manage the Proving Trials and readiness for the the Programme Director with my previous ground handling experience at London City. We operated desktop readiness planning and 2 proving trial services in Shannon, and a full end to end operation to New York.

This was a unique project launch

• New Aircraft Type to BA and London City Airport

• Passenger Cabin with 32 Business lie flat seats

• New Customer proposition (Club World | London City)

• US Pre Clearance in Shannon, Ireland

This created detailed challenges and planning

Aircraft Purchase and Specification

• STOL Capability enhancements for steep approach at London City

• Fuel and Payload planning

• LOPA Location of Passenger Arrangements (Seating Layout)

• Airbus Factory meetings and progress tracking

• Aircraft Acceptance

Flight Crew

• Based in LHR (Due Airbus and Long Haul)

• Management of an additional flying fleet of pilots

• Train the Trainer

• Base training in Lasham and Corcheval

• Familiarisation for JFK, LCY and SNN

• Documentation updates

Cabin Crew

• Based in LGW

• Overnight rest prior to duty (to maintain continuity of passenger service)

• New Product service routine with 3 crew on Long Haul

Engineering

• Flying manuals and documentation

Network Operations Planning

• Diversion strategy and locations

• Operations outside of LCY (LGW or LHR)

• Engineering planning (Local in LCY or JFK - More significant work elsewhere)

Airport Development

• Proving trials of stands, gates, baggage, checkin

Ground Product

• Kerbside checkin

• Gate Lounge

• Security checks

Suppliers and Partnerships

• New Catering product and supplier

• Ground handling setup including cleaning, fueling, ramp and passenger handling

• Gate lounge management

• Dedicated checkin product

The Project was a great success, with the service in operation for well over 1000 flights since the launch and is popular with the customers with the 20-30 passengers on each flight.

For myself it was an important initiation in programme management and I benefited from the cross functional contacts I made, many of whom I later worked with in Airport Management and Flight Operations.

In 2009 this was a challenging time to launch the service - however British Airways have been able to offer this service as part of key deals with corporate customers.

I have travelled on the service numerous times for trips to New York and beyond.

Did you know - Airline Staff are not able to travel on standby on this flight - only as full fare paying customers!