OpenSkies
OpenSkies was a French full-service airline brand established by British Airways to operate transatlantic services between continental Europe and the United States.
Last updated August 24, 2026
AI crawler reads
No AI crawler has read this profile since Oct 28, 2026.
Overview
OpenSkies was a French-registered airline and transatlantic operating brand established by British Airways in the aftermath of the European Union–United States Open Skies Agreement. The agreement, concluded in March 2008, broadened the ability of airlines based in the European Union and the United States to operate services between locations on either side of the Atlantic. British Airways saw the new regulatory environment as an opportunity to reduce its dependence on London Heathrow and to develop services linking the United States directly with cities in continental Europe. The business was initially created as BA European Limited and traded under the OpenSkies name, which had previously been associated with an internal British Airways development project known as Project Lauren. It originally held a United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority Type A operating licence. The first OpenSkies flight departed New York on 19 June 2008, using a Boeing 757 transferred from the British Airways fleet. The initial operating concept centered on premium-oriented transatlantic flying rather than a conventional short-haul network. The airline offered three cabin classes and positioned itself as a full-service carrier serving business and leisure travelers between Paris and the United States. British Airways expanded the operation by acquiring the French airline L'Avion for £54 million in 2008. L'Avion had been operating transatlantic services under its own brand, and its integration with BA European Limited on 4 April 2009 created the operating structure that became OpenSkies. The name was transferred to Elysair, the legal entity associated with L'Avion, while the airline subsequently operated under French regulatory arrangements. The carrier was headquartered in Rungis, near Paris, and its principal French base was Paris Orly Airport. OpenSkies initially served destinations including New York, Paris, and Amsterdam, while Newark became an important additional destination after the L'Avion integration. The network was repeatedly adjusted as the airline responded to demand and economics. The Amsterdam–New York route was suspended in 2009, and the Washington–Paris service was also withdrawn that year. In 2010 the airline moved its New York operations from John F. Kennedy International Airport to Newark, although service from JFK to Paris Orly was restored in 2013. OpenSkies also entered a codeshare relationship with American Airlines and became an affiliate member of the Oneworld alliance in December 2012, allowing eligible British Airways Executive Club members to earn miles and tier points on qualifying flights. The airline remained closely tied to British Airways and its wider parent, International Airlines Group. Fleet plans were restrained after British Airways decided in 2009 not to transfer additional Boeing 757 aircraft as originally anticipated. A Boeing 767 was later added in 2016, giving the carrier another aircraft suitable for its three-class transatlantic operation. The brand's independent life ended as IAG developed Level, a new low-cost long-haul brand based at Paris Orly. In July 2018, OpenSkies employees began operating Level services, and the OpenSkies public-facing brand ceased operation on 2 September 2018. The airline's personnel and operating certificate were used in the transition, while its crews were retrained for Airbus aircraft. The former OpenSkies operation continued in a different role as the French arm of Level until the COVID-19 pandemic caused a wider collapse in international aviation demand. IAG announced the shutdown of OpenSkies on 8 July 2020. Although reservations were subsequently reopened for proposed resumptions and later deferred, the flights did not ultimately restart and reservations were closed. OpenSkies therefore represents both a short-lived independent airline brand and an important transitional platform in IAG's development of Level's French operation.
History
OpenSkies originated in British Airways' response to the EU–US Open Skies Agreement, which entered a new phase in March 2008 and expanded transatlantic traffic rights for European Union and United States airlines. British Airways created BA European Limited, initially a United Kingdom-licensed subsidiary, to operate services from continental Europe to the United States. The project was intended to provide an alternative to routing passengers through Heathrow and to test a more focused transatlantic model from Paris and other possible European cities. The first flight took place on 19 June 2008 from New York, with a Boeing 757 transferred from British Airways. The carrier adopted the OpenSkies trading name and operated as a full-service airline with three cabin classes. Its early network connected Paris Orly and New York, and Amsterdam was added as a third destination in October 2008. British Airways had also considered possible services to cities such as Dublin, Frankfurt, Madrid, Brussels, Rome, and Milan, although the available source material does not establish that these proposed routes all operated. A major structural change followed British Airways' purchase of the French airline L'Avion for £54 million in July 2008. L'Avion had already operated transatlantic flights and brought French operating experience and an established Newark presence. The two operations were combined on 4 April 2009. The OpenSkies name was transferred to Elysair, the entity that had operated L'Avion, and the airline moved toward French regulatory oversight. BA European Limited's United Kingdom operating licence was suspended at the company's request in May 2009 and ultimately surrendered in favor of a certificate issued by the French ministry responsible for civil aviation. The carrier's network proved sensitive to economic conditions. OpenSkies announced the suspension of its New York–Amsterdam service in July 2009, citing economic reasons, and later withdrew its Washington–Paris route. In January 2010 it shifted all New York flying from John F. Kennedy International Airport to Newark. The JFK–Paris Orly service returned in March 2013. During this period OpenSkies also established a codeshare arrangement with American Airlines and joined Oneworld as an affiliate member on 1 December 2012. The affiliation connected the airline more closely with British Airways' global commercial ecosystem and enabled relevant loyalty benefits for British Airways Executive Club members. Fleet development was cautious. British Airways announced in February 2009 that it would not transfer further Boeing 757s to OpenSkies as had originally been planned, and the carrier's anticipated expansion to six aircraft by the end of that year was cancelled. In April 2016, OpenSkies announced the addition of a Boeing 767 transferred from British Airways' retiring three-class fleet. The aircraft entered service in August 2016 and was used on the Newark–Paris Orly route on selected days. The decisive change came with IAG's creation of Level. On 28 November 2017, IAG announced that Level would launch from Paris Orly in July 2018. OpenSkies employees were to operate the new services, and the existing operating certificate was used in the transition. The airline's IATA code changed from EC to LV in May 2018. Airbus A330-200 aircraft entered the operation in July 2018 in Level branding, while the remaining OpenSkies-branded Boeing 757 and Boeing 767 were withdrawn and placed into storage after the brand's final public operations on 2 September 2018. The employees continued operating under Level France after retraining for Airbus aircraft. The former OpenSkies operating entity remained connected to Level until the COVID-19 pandemic caused an unprecedented contraction in international air travel. IAG announced the closure of OpenSkies on 8 July 2020. Proposed resumptions were successively scheduled for October and December 2020 but did not occur. Reservations were eventually closed, ending the operation entirely.
- 2020
Operation closes during the COVID-19 crisis
[1]IAG announced the shutdown of OpenSkies on 8 July after the pandemic disrupted international aviation demand.
- 2018
OpenSkies transitions to Level France
[1]The public-facing OpenSkies brand ended on 2 September as employees and the operating platform moved to Level.
- 2016
Boeing 767 enters the fleet
[1]A three-class Boeing 767 transferred from British Airways entered OpenSkies service in August.
- 2012
Oneworld affiliate membership
[1]OpenSkies joined Oneworld as an affiliate member on 1 December.
- 2009
Operations consolidate under the French structure
[1]The BA European and L'Avion operations were combined on 4 April, and the OpenSkies name was transferred to Elysair.
- 2008
BA European Limited begins trading as OpenSkies
[1]British Airways created the subsidiary to operate transatlantic services under the opportunities provided by the EU–US Open Skies Agreement.
- 2008
First OpenSkies flight
[1]The first flight departed New York on 19 June using a Boeing 757 from British Airways.
- 2008
L'Avion acquisition
[1]British Airways acquired L'Avion, creating the basis for the later combination of the French airline with the OpenSkies operation.
Products and positioning
A premium-oriented, full-service transatlantic airline brand linking Paris with the United States, later converted into an operating platform for IAG's low-cost long-haul brand Level.
Scheduled passenger airline service · 2008
Three-class transatlantic passenger service
OpenSkies operated scheduled transatlantic flights as a full-service carrier. Its aircraft were configured with three cabin classes, reflecting a premium-oriented proposition for passengers traveling between Paris and the United States. The airline's principal French base was Paris Orly, with New York-area service operating through JFK and later Newark. The offer ended under the OpenSkies name in September 2018.
Aircraft-based passenger service · 2008
Boeing 757 service
The first OpenSkies flight used a Boeing 757 transferred from British Airways. The aircraft supported the airline's initial transatlantic operation and remained part of the fleet until the brand transition to Level in 2018. A planned expansion involving additional British Airways 757 aircraft was cancelled in 2009.
Aircraft-based passenger service · 2016
Boeing 767 service
OpenSkies added a Boeing 767 in 2016 after British Airways began retiring its three-class 767 fleet. The aircraft entered service in August 2016 and operated on the Newark–Paris Orly route on selected days, also providing additional operational flexibility.
Low-cost long-haul airline operation · 2018
Level France operating service
From July 2018, the former OpenSkies operation provided the personnel and operating platform for IAG's Level services from Paris Orly. This was a corporate and brand transition rather than a continuation of OpenSkies' public identity. Crews were retrained to operate Airbus aircraft, including the Airbus A330-200.
Brand decisions
2020
Close the airline operationStrategyBackground
The COVID-19 pandemic severely reduced international passenger demand and disrupted airline operations.
Action taken
IAG announced the shutdown of OpenSkies on 8 July 2020. Proposed service resumptions were later postponed and ultimately did not take place.
Aftermath
Reservations were closed and the operation did not return to service.
2017
Transition the operation to LevelStrategyBackground
IAG was developing Level as a low-cost long-haul brand and selected Paris Orly as one of its launch bases.
Action taken
IAG announced that Level flights from Paris would use OpenSkies employees and its operating certificate. The OpenSkies IATA code changed from EC to LV in May 2018.
Aftermath
OpenSkies ceased public-facing operations in September 2018 and its staff continued under the Level France brand.
2013
Begin American Airlines codeshareOtherBackground
OpenSkies sought broader connectivity and closer commercial integration with major transatlantic partners.
Action taken
The airline announced a codeshare agreement with American Airlines.
Aftermath
The agreement supplemented OpenSkies' relationship with the British Airways and Oneworld network.
2010
Move New York operations to NewarkStrategyBackground
OpenSkies reviewed how its New York services should be organized after earlier network changes.
Action taken
From January 2010, all OpenSkies flights serving New York were shifted from John F. Kennedy International Airport to Newark.
Aftermath
The carrier later restored JFK–Paris Orly service in March 2013.
2009
Cancel planned fleet expansionStrategyBackground
British Airways had originally expected to transfer additional Boeing 757 aircraft and expand OpenSkies to six aircraft by the end of 2009.
Action taken
In February 2009, British Airways announced that it would not transfer the additional 757s and that the planned expansion would not proceed.
Aftermath
OpenSkies continued with a smaller fleet and focused on a limited transatlantic network.
2009
Withdraw selected routesStrategyBackground
The airline adjusted its network amid economic pressure and uneven demand.
Action taken
OpenSkies suspended the New York–Amsterdam route in August and announced the suspension of Washington–Paris service from October.
Aftermath
The operation concentrated more heavily on Paris and New York-area services.
Recent events
- 2020
IAG announces shutdown of OpenSkies[1]
Bankruptcy · Other
IAG announced that the OpenSkies operation would be shut down amid the severe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on aviation demand. Planned resumptions were later abandoned.
- 2018
OpenSkies brand retires[1]
Product generation
The OpenSkies brand ceased public-facing operations on 2 September 2018 as the operation transitioned to Level France.
- 2017
IAG announces transition from OpenSkies to Level[1]
Leadership change
IAG announced that its new low-cost long-haul brand Level would begin Paris Orly flights using staff employed by OpenSkies and the airline's operating certificate.
- 2012
OpenSkies joins Oneworld as an affiliate member[1]
Other
OpenSkies became an affiliate member of Oneworld, enabling qualifying British Airways Executive Club members to earn miles and tier points on its flights.
- 2008
British Airways launches OpenSkies subsidiary[1]
Other
British Airways established BA European Limited to exploit the new regulatory opportunities created by the EU–US Open Skies Agreement, trading under the OpenSkies name.
- 2008
OpenSkies begins transatlantic operations[1]
Product launch
The airline operated its first flight from New York on 19 June 2008 using a Boeing 757 transferred from British Airways.
- 2008
British Airways acquires L'Avion[1]
M&A
British Airways acquired French transatlantic airline L'Avion, whose operations were later combined with the BA European operation under the OpenSkies structure.
Sources2 sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/openskies · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled