Chief Executive Officer of British Airways, Willie Walsh stated that they have high expectations that the business class only service in the journey route from London to New York will be of a lucrative one. This statement issued was based on the UK carrier flights that was initiated recently.He stated that BA believes there is a huge demand for this service as the flights will be a focus for business flyers who presently travel from Heathrow, Europe's busiest airport, including some private jet customers.

The London based airline and Europe's third-largest, has traditionally made almost all of its profit from classes such as first and business travel. Last year, BA gained 45 percent of revenue from premium tickets which accounted for just 13 percent of seat sales. Premium traffic dropped around 12 percent last month in comparison to a 1.3 percent gain in coach.

On a more practical side, he stated that though the present environment is a tough one,this is a just a evaluation of our confidence. Additionally he added that business travel is still in a stressful condition and is hardly showing any signs of recovery.

The London to New York service will demonstrate if the carrier can draw in bankers, lawyers ,including other professionals with a product with prices beginning at about 1,900 pounds ($3,000) for a round-trip ticket. Last year, financial institutions formed 13 of the airline's
top 50 clients.

British Airways has embarked the second phase of its Face-to-Face campaign at the National Business Travel Association , California.

The airline will reward 100 small as well as medium-sized companies free business class travel to any place on its network throughout 2010. BA has partnered along with Marriott, Regus Office Services and Canon to proffer successful applicants a complete package of products to support their businesses.Successful applicants will be rewarded with 10 roundtrip transatlantic Club World tickets that can be utilized at any time next year.Meanwhile Marriott will grant each business $1,000 towards accommodation in its Courtyard-branded hotels, while Regus will award five Business world gold cards for entrance to airport lounges globally.

Simon Talling-Smith, BA's executive vice-president for the Americas stated that linking people universally is the number one objective of BA and BA has long known that the key in constructing a successful long-term business partnership is by means of face-to-face meetings.He also mentioned that British Airways hopes that the business opportunity grants will definitely help businesses boost their revenues and reach significant milestones in their expansion plans.

British Airways had succeeded in giving away nearly 1000 seats during the first phase of its campaigns

In an effort to raise money,British Airways plans to begin putting advertising from other companies in its boarding passes.Whilst,the airline will also host advertisements on its website .There are potentially two ways to view this decision , one, that it is a very valuable and potentially profitable way of using space on the company's boarding cards, or two, that the company is so anxious for cash that it had no other option,but to take this move.

The airline mentioned that it had issued more than 12 million boarding passes last year and has 500,000 daily visitors to its website, which would give it ample opportunity to raise additional revenue from third-party advertising. Advertisements on boarding passes would begin appearing from October 1st and would be customized to the passenger and location . Abigail Comber,the airline's manager for brand, scheme and insight, stated that the airline hoped that this initiative will be a positive revenue stream for BA. Cedar Communications which is BA's publishing as well as media sales agency, will be advertising the space for British Airways.British Airways had lost around £401 million last year due to a crumple in its premium traffic due to the recession. British Airways is making every effort in order to slash costs by reducing headcount .

Ms Comber also added that it is a brilliant method for customers of British Airways to be aware of products and services which is germane to them.Bitish Airways is seeking brands with a strong heritage which is on par with BA's own brand values.

Simon Talling-Smith said that it will take British Airways longer than 5 years before the complete value of the business market returns.Presently businesses are accommodating more people into economy class. He also added that the business and first class business volumes have dropped by around 15 per cent, but economy volumes have sinked by around 1 per cent for the 6 months till June 2009. He concluded that it was clearly visible that a definite number of people who travelled in business classes are shifting to economy classes.

British Airways launched OpenSkies in June last year, named after the agreement that allows carriers to operate services between airports in continental Europe and the US, and currently operates flights from Paris and Amsterdam.

However, according to reports in The Observer, British Airways chief executive Willie Walsh is looking at a potential sale or winding up of Openskies to help cut costs. A BA spokesman said: 'We are reviewing all aspects of our business in the current economic environment.British Airways has already restricted the expansion of Openskies, selling three of the 757 aircraft earmarked to join its four-strong OpenSkies fleet.

Last week, it was revealed that British Airways is asking over 30,000 of its UK employees to work without pay for up to four weeks over the coming 12 months.

The carrier also today announced plans to launch new business-only flight from London City to New York, to help it improve the number of business travellers.

Goodrich Corporation (NYSE: GR) has signed a long-term service agreement with British Airways Plc (BA) covering engine controls systems for BA's Boeing 747 and 767 aircraft. The agreement covers over 300 Rolls-Royce RB211-524 engines for a minimum of five years.Goodrich’s Engine Control Systems Services team, predominantly at Marston Green, Birmingham, UK, will perform the services.Under the agreement, Goodrich will provide BA Component Engineering an enhanced integrated solution consisting of repair, overhaul and rotable services; technical support; spare parts and consumable kits for BA's RB211-524 engine control systems. BA currently operates the world's largest fleet of RB211 engines and Goodrich offers aftermarket support on this entire fleet.

Mal Murphy, general manger for aircraft and engineering procurement for British Airways, said, "The aftermarket support and service Goodrich provides to BA Component Engineering is essential to the success of this project and we are very pleased with the solutions they have provided in this agreement. We look forward to further developing our relationship with Goodrich over the coming years."

Dale Ballinger, vice president and general manager, Engine Controls and Electrical Power Systems Services for Goodrich, said, "This enhanced integrated support agreement further strengthens the longstanding relationship between Goodrich and British Airways. We continue to be committed to offering innovative solutions to add value for our customers in successfully managing their fleets in a dynamic environment."

Goodrich Corporation, a Fortune 500 company, is a global supplier of systems and services to aerospace, defense and homeland security markets. With one of the most strategically diversified portfolios of products in the industry, Goodrich serves a global customer base with significant worldwide manufacturing and service facilities.