 Return fares of �999 undercut existing carriers |
A business-class-only transatlantic airline says its planes were almost half-full of fare-paying passengers in its first month of operation. Silverjet which links Luton Airport and Newark Airport, New Jersey, carried 2,911 travellers in February.
The airline said it was delighted with the demand and the figures gave it confidence for the future.
With return tickets from �999, the carrier hopes to tempt business passengers from other airlines.
Not counting those travelling for free or on discount fares, Silverjet had a load factor - a measure of how full its planes were - of 45%.
Struggle?
Forward bookings were "substantially ahead" of initial expectations, chief executive Lawrence Hunt said.
"Customer and industry feedback has been overwhelmingly positive," he added.
Rival business-class-only airlines Eos and Maxjet also fly to the US, but travel between London's Stansted and New York's John F Kennedy airport.
Analysts have said the airlines may struggle, because the limited number of flights means that business passengers do not have the same flexibility to change arrangements that they get from larger carriers.
As well as cheaper prices, Silverjet has features including a ladies-only on board toilet and check-in by mobile phone.
It claims to be the first carbon neutral airline by charging passengers a mandatory carbon offset payment, although environmental groups have been sceptical.
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