The skies are opening early
 

The Europe-US Open Skies deal isn't officially coming into effect till March next year.

But Zoom got their defence in first yesterday, by announcing a new daily Gatwick-JFK service from June of this year - which by my calculations means there are now about a dozen airlines flying between the London area and New York.

Ryanair also announced yesterday they would be starting flights within the next four years from Europe to US airports like Baltimore, Providence RI and Islip, Long Island. Mr O'Leary said prices will start from €10.

Which they won't.

Now if they'd just add Orlando to their lists!

Providence would be a nice change of pace from Logan.

Ohhh, Providence, be still my heart.

Hopefully Ryanair will be a bit more generous with the baggage allowances/cabin baggage for Transatlantic flights. And serve food. Whilst I could survive a flight to Rhode Island without, he is also talking of San Diego and San Francisco.
I'll believe the prices when I've booked and paid for them!

There are few certainties in life. Ryanair actually operating intercontinentally is not among them.

But if they DO operate an intercontinental service, here are some certainties:

- they will serve food. And charge handsomely for it
- as at present, their cabin baggage rules will conform to UK law
- they will have virtually unlimited checked baggage allowances. And sky-high charges for it
- they will offer lead-in prices of €10/£5. After tax, debit card charges, etc etc etc, the net price will rarely exceed €1,000.

O'Leary has enough problems with UK / EU rules - can you really imagine him wanting to deal with US flight rules?

Yes, Flanner, you are right..there are no certainties in life to include what will and will not be charged for in a competitive environment such as transatlantic flights.

I really do hope Ryanair is "up" for this because believe you me the airlines over here can be VERY "competitive" when they want to be...just ask compies like Independence Air about the "competition" they got from United which literally put them out of business.

It will be very interesting especially if a company like Southwest decided to compete.

AGM, this doesn't help you much, but Nikki at about an hour away from you, the somewhat new KLM service to Amsterdam and beyond is getting very positive reviews locally. If you are travelling to a european city and have to chenge planes anyway, Amsterdam is much better than JFK or God forbid CDG.