Business Weekly - Cambridge, UK

Eos Airlines has won an eight-month battle to secure FAA certification, winging in close on the tailfin of MAXjet Airways, which also launches a service from Stansted to JFK at the start of November.

Business Weekly exclusively revealed the plans of both airlines early this summer and both have followed through.

Eos has focused since inception exclusively on the transatlantic business traveller. Eastbound flights will depart New York JFK at 7:05 p.m. and arrive London Stansted at 7:30 a.m.; westbound flights will depart Stansted at 10:30 a.m. and arrive at JFK at 1:29 p.m. 

Eos is going for the luxury end of the market with a round trip price of £3,500. For a limited time, Eos is offering a special introductory price of £2,500 round trip. Tickets and additional details are now available online at www.eosairlines.com

MAXjet flights will be daily (apart from Saturday) with fares starting at £599 each way – triggering a low fares revolution in the executive long haul market.

Eos will fly from New York JFK’s Terminal 4, which recently underwent a $1.4 billion renovation to offer enhanced passenger facilities, consolidated ticketing and baggage operations, improved duty free and retail offerings and upgraded restaurants. 

Starting January 3, Eos will also offer a second daily flight between New York and Stansted, departing New York JFK at 9:15 p.m., arriving Stansted at 9:40 a.m.; and departing Stansted at 4:15 p.m., arriving New York JFK at 7:14 p.m.

Founded in March 2003, Eos is a privately held airline focused since inception exclusively on the transatlantic business traveller. Eos brings an innovative approach to the travel industry, transforming the traditional flight environment of a three-strong fleet of Boeing 757 planes into a premium, tailored space that provides personalised attention for just 48 passengers, replacing the traditional 200 plus.

Stansted hopes this double whammy of American airline operators proves third time lucky for a transatlantic service from the Essex hub following the collapse of routes by American Airlines in the early ’90s and Continental following 9/11.

More than half of the region’s leading mid-market companies are either American owned or have US operations and executives have had to trek to Heathrow or Gatwick, wasting time and money. Millions of pounds are spent by local companies each year on travel to the States.