Inaugural pre-clearance flight lands

History was made in Shannon Airport on Tuesday afternoon when British Airways’ inaugural all-business service from London City to John F Kennedy Airport, New York, stopped off for the first customs and immigration pre-clearance and technical transit stop in Europe.

An additional 624 stopovers will be made by British Airways in Shannon over a 12-month period, providing badly needed new business for the Clare airport.
The service, which landed at Shannon at 2.15pm for pre-clearance of all 32 passengers before taking off on the second leg of its journey at 3pm, was the first commercial passenger service to utilise Shannon for its transit stop-over because of the availability of US pre-clearance services.
Security was tight as the passengers disembarked from the plane to the strains of a harpist and they were also treated to champagne and light refreshments.
The flight included British Airways’ chief executive, Willie Walsh, who stressed pre-clearance is an excellent bonus for all their passengers flying on their exclusive all-business services between London City and New York.
Two uniquely configured Airbus A318s will fly twice daily on the new route, which links the hearts of the world’s two biggest financial centres.
The historic launch flight bore British Airways’ most prestigious flight number, BA001, formerly used by Concorde.
The new flight launched with a daily return service, except Saturday, increasing to two a day from mid-October. The Airbus has to stop in Shannon to refuel but will have enough fuel to make the return flight without a stop.
British Airways had a service to Heathrow from Shannon Airport in the late 1980s, while City Flyer Express, a subsidiary of BA, had flights to Manchester in the 1990s until they were suspended in about 1995.
Lead-in fares on the new flight start from £1,999.60 sterling, while the airline is also offering “semi-flexible” fares from £3,705 and a normal fare of £4,056 return.
Shannon Airport director Martin Moroney described the availability of US pre-clearance as a very “significant boost” for Shannon Airport. “Having British Airways, one of the world’s largest and most recognised carriers, as the first airline to land at Shannon specifically to avail of US pre-clearance is a very significant boost for Shannon Airport.
“This event today validates the efforts of the Dublin Airport Authority and the Department of Transport in providing this facility. We are particularly delighted to welcome the British Airways brand back at Shannon and we wish them every success with the service,” he said.
Willie Walsh pointed out that being able to complete all the relevant USA arrival procedures prior to landing meant no further customs or clearance checks are required once passengers land and they can speed straight through the airport.
“This significant investment by Shannon Airport in providing this facility ensures our customers can make the most of their time and travel from London City Airport to New York in the quickest possible time”
Customers will also benefit from having to check in just 15 minutes ahead of departure in London, compared to the normal 45 minutes.
The flight will also be the first to enable customers send emails, texts and use the internet via an in-flight mobile communications service, provided by OnAir.
As with all transatlantic passengers availing of US pre-clearance at Shannon, customers will be treated as domestic passengers, thereby fast-tracking their arrival at JFK.
Special features include 32 fully flat beds in a cabin specially designed to feel spacious and contemporary.