Travel

A Better Airline?

Think all airlines are the same? Think again! We discovered a carrier that claims to soar above the rest. But is it worth your travel dime?

In a day when air travel has become like riding Greyhound in the sky, a few airlines are trying to change the way we think about flying. Some are returning to old-fashioned customer service while others are going one step further by adding modern comforts, convenience and the all-important space.

I discovered OpenSkies, a subsidiary of British Airways, last year and thought it looked like an interesting airline to try. The problem, OpenSkies flies only to Paris! This seemed like an issue at first but OpenSkies might be on to something. By limiting flight destinations, the all-business class airline is able to cater to a specific market and traveler. The business plan allows them to focus on the guest experience. So taking a trip to Paris might not be such a bad idea.

(The airline flies from New York-Newark and Washington, D.C.-Dulles to Paris-Orly)

When my girlfriends and I started planning our trip to Paris I decided to give OpenSkies a try. My trip was to take place when I was almost 8 months pregnant-- so comfort was going to be key. Right away I noticed a difference. When you check-in with OpenSkies they allow you to check 3 bags! Although I would not advise traveling with that much luggage, it's certainly nice if you're bringing back lots of fabulous purchases from Paris. On both legs of your travel you're given access to a flight lounge that offers a great bar and loads of snacks-- it's all included.

The Seats:

The seats on the plane are a far cry from what you'll find in economy class. The seats are configured in rows of two-- so there's no climbing over a half-dozen passengers to get to the bathroom. The seats have several controls that allow you to adjust the lumbar support along with leg and foot rests. You're also provided a blanket, pillow, your own pair of flight socks, earplugs, eye mask, mints and even a toothbrush and toothpaste.

Each OpenSkies aircraft has a maximum of 84 seats (Biz Seat or Biz Bed) giving passengers a choice of a window or aisle seat on every flight. Biz Seats are wide seats that recline 140 degrees with a 52” pitch and Biz Bed seats convert to completely flat beds (180-degree recline). Personally I think the Biz Seat is so comfortable that there's no need to upgrade to the Biz Bed. All seats across both cabins are equipped with universal power outlets and feature individual entertainment systems that contain more than 50 hours of programming. (Pictured Right: Our Biz Seats)

Cost:

It is typically a little more expensive to fly on this airline but not as much as you might think. If you book at the right time you can find a ticket on OpenSkies for only $200 to $400 more than a coach seat on another airline. And when you think about all of the extra baggage fees and meal costs you'll get charged with some other airlines-- it's a small price to pay. Depending on when you book you might even save money. It's important to  mention the larger seats and the added leg room. When your traveling overseas, space is priceless!

Food & Service:

I'm a big fan of good service.... so much so in fact, I stopped flying American Airlines altogehter because I found their flight attendants to be rude. Anyway, the OpenSkies service at check-in and in-flight was exceptional. I found that the employees really work to make you feel comfortable and happy. The food was pretty good. It looked nice and was presented well. And if you like, the drinks keep flowing-- no added charge.

Pictured right: My dinner was gnocchi with sundried tomatoes and asparagus, a mixed green and chicken salad followed by dessert.

The Details:

• Reclining flat bed seats in Biz Bed*, or seats that recline 140 degrees in Biz Seat (added charge for Biz Bed)
• Access to pre-flight lounges
• In-flight dining service and a selection of French wine and champagne
• Easy boarding -- there are no more than 84 passengers on each flight – less than half that of a typical Boeing 757 overseas flight
• Cabin crew that is bilingual
• No charge for up to three checked-in pieces luggage Service from Washington D.C. and New York/Newark to Orly Airport in Paris
• Both English and French cinema onboard

If you're thinking of heading to Paris or even Europe, I would consider OpenSkies. The airline really made my flight experience a great one. I was able to travel with less stress and had more energy at the end of my flights. I felt spoiled the entire time! I'm happy to report that I was very pleased with the airline and would use them again.

Happy Travels!