Bliss Jet, a new indirect air carrier, is launching a bespoke, individually ticketed seat service by business jet between London Stansted and New York’s LaGuardia Airport. The company estimates that 800,000 first and business class seats are offered by airlines between the two cities every year, and hopes to tap into its popularity.
Ticket prices will be US$11,995 each way, with discounts available for advance or multiple purchases. Bliss Jet will offer a maximum of 10 seats onboard its large-cabin, long-range Gulfstream G450 and G550 business jets for the journey. These will be flown between the Sheltair Aviation FBO at LaGuardia and Inflight Jet Centre’s VIP terminal at London Stansted.
Dates and times for the flights are fixed, departing from New York at 11:00am on a Sunday to arrive in London at 10:30pm, and leaving again on a Thursday at 8:15pm to land back in New York at 11:35pm. A 30-minute check-in time at each end, and a reduction of door-to-door journey times over traditional business and first class flights, are among the advantages. Inflight wi-fi and a wide choice of food and entertainment are included, with chauffeur services available for a fee.
David Rimmer, president and CEO, Bliss Jet, said, “The difference between Bliss Jet and former failed all-business-class ventures is that they [the former] were all fundamentally traditional airline models, trying to mirror the private jet experience. Bliss Jet, however, is based entirely on à la carte, and for the first time travelers can purchase a seat, one way or return, without the full charter cost of US$100,000-plus for a business jet experience.
“We are excited to bring individuality to a mass-market product and offer frequent flyers on one of the world’s busiest routes something very different, delivering the most precious commodity – time.”
