British Airways is to launch a business class only service from London City airport to New York in 2009. The service will no doubt appeal to the wealthy financiers located in Canary Wharf and The City. BA will operate a twice daily service on an A318 airbus, that will have room for only 32 passengers.

Whilst the almost door to door service between two of the most important finance centres sounds like a winner, the drawback is that the aircraft will need to refuel in Ireland on the outbound leg as the runway at City is not long enough to allow the plane to take off with a full fuel load. 

The brief stop off will add time to the journey and could be the sticking point in the success of this plan in what has become a very competitive niche market.