BA takes on budget rivals with £86 f lights across the Atlantic
BRITISH Airways is launching a new airline that will carry passengers across the Atlantic for only £86.
Level will initially fly from Barcelona to Los Angeles and San Francisco, Buenos Aires, and Punta Cana, in the Dominican Republic, from June.
BA owner IAG says it may expand to other European cities in the future but in the meantime, customers can use its budget short-haul airline, Vueling, to connect to Barcelona.
The airline will use Iberia crew and two new Airbus A330 planes.
Economy passengers must pay for checking in their luggage, meals, seat selections and the latest movie releases while those in premium economy have the extras included in their ticket price.
Level customers will also have to pay more for high-speed internet, with prices starting from £7.80. Flights to Los Angeles and Punta Cana will run twice a week and those to Oakland International Airport near San Francisco and Buenos Aires three times a week.
Level customers can also earn and redeem Avios, the loyalty currency for IAG’s airlines.
Willie Walsh, IAG chief executive, said: ‘Level is an exciting new brand which will bring a stylish and modern approach to flying at prices that are even more affordable.
Europe’s so- called ‘legacy’ airlines, have lost about 40 per cent of short-haul flights to low-cost upstarts.
Norwegian, which flies to America, offers tickets for as little as £69 one-way and this week it announced it is teaming up with Ryanair to offer flights to New York, New Jersey and Boston.
Emma Coulthurst, of comparison site TravelSupermarket, said: ‘IAG has clearly been concerned by the competition and decided ‘‘if you can’t beat them, try to join them’’.
‘The carriers have slowly realised they need to cut costs, cut out extras which people are happy to go without and more people will fill their seats.
‘There is nothing to stop you taking your own food on flights – and then eating what you want, rather than what is given to you.
‘Same goes for entertainment on board. Download your own entertainment on to your laptop and enjoy those box sets you’ve been meaning to catch up on.’