According to Chief Executive Officer Willie Walsh " British Airways business class service from London to New York will be profitable in the first year. " The flights will attract business flyers that now travel from Heathrow, Europe's busiest airport, as well as some private jet customers. Last year, British Airways (BA) gained nearly 45 percent of revenue from premium tickets that reported 13 percent of seat sales. Premium traffic fell 12 percent last month, compared with a 1.3 percent gain in coach.

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British Airways rose 0.4 percent to 216.6 pence in London trading, extending its gain this year to 21 percent and increasing its market value to 2.5 billion pounds.