Global Traveler: What is the theory behind the configuration on board OpenSkies and how does it benefit the premium passenger?

Dale Moss: We will be flying the Boeing 757, a great aircraft for the trans-Atlantic experience. We experimented with a variety of configurations and we are excited with our premium product. Does it mean this is what we will be using two years from now? We don’t know. We have to be flexible. We want to be considerate of what customers are looking for and what brings the best value to the marketplace.

We will be the only airline offering both a business bed and a 52-inch pitch business chair. We provide a more personable cabin and a 2-2 configuration. It can take only 10 minutes to board, not 45 minutes. It’s an extraordinarily different feel and an exclusive product.

GT: How will the service differentiate OpenSkies from British Airways and other business-class products?

DM: We’re part of the British Airways family, but this is not a “little BA.” OpenSkies will take on its own identity. We are competing against legacy carriers in Europe, not against BA. If people want to fly to and from Europe through London, let them fly BA. If they want Paris or Amsterdam direct, OpenSkies is the right choice. We welcome anyone who wants to fly us, but this airline is not for the masses. It is for the frequent traveler; ideal for the entrepreneur, the single traveler, executives, or leisure travelers with one or two other people. It’s not for the travel groups of 100 people.

We want our customers to feel like guests in our home. We will use BA sales staff, but have a cabin crew which is uniquely ours. The first crews are American, a cosmopolitan crew with a real sense of service and a focus on giving customers a delightful experience. The crew is a physical extension of our brand.

Whether you need assistance before, during or after your trip, you can use our concierge service, a 24/7 operation, for recommendations and suggestions. If you want to know the generic places, check the phone book. If you want to know the neat places, ask us.

GT: OpenSkies currently flies New York JFK to Paris Orly and Amsterdam Schiphol. Do you have plans to extend your routes and frequencies?

DM: Potential destinations are Frankfurt, Milan, Brussels and more. However, we are focused first on building the right company. Whether it is a flyer’s first time or 10th, it is our priority to provide a great experience every time.

Before we expand we will first manage this business well and make it strong by doing four things: fly safe and secure, have a low cost base, provide a great product and keep customers involved in our development as a company. We are committed to our mission, but not blind to the world around us. We dream of building a different brand that will be a little better than the rest across the board. We may be in a difficult time, but we have the chance of a lifetime to be the best niche carrier and win our market segment — and we have a great supporter behind us in British Airways.