Home > Services & Programs > All Business Class Carriers Via Stanstead
A review of the rise and fall of the all business class
carriers that served London Stanstead
 		  
The Stanstead Scoop (and Luton too!)
 		  
EOS AirlinesEOS Airlines - Around the same time that MaxJet launched operations in the fall of 2005, EOS also commenced all business class service to the U.K but with a different twist. EOS operates 757 aircraft, each fitted with just 48 flat bed seats. Similar to MaxJet, EOS also selected Stanstead as its U.K. base, but rather than adding more cities it has opted to add more flights. Depending on the day of travel, EOS operates as many as three flights a day to Stanstead from JFK. The EOS experience is completely posh and rivals First Class on virtually any other carrier offering a First Class product across the Atlantic. When EOS initially launched, it maintained it would offer only a few prices in the market and fares would range between $4,000 -$6,000. EOS catered itself to the Virgin Atlantic Upper Class loyalist that had a history of paying higher fares for higher levels of service. However, with the introduction of SilverJet in 2007 EOS has revamped its pricing strategy and depending on when you purchase offers round trip fares for under $3,000. One Passport Premiere member recently took advantage of a Summer Special fare for less than $2,000 round trip with EOS which was unheard of when the carrier launched. There can be special sales fares with EOS and if you would like to try and extremely luxurious in flight experience for a fraction of the cost on other elite carriers EOS should be put on your 2008 to do list. On April 26th, 2008 EOS Airlines filed for bankruptcy protection and operated its last flight on April 27th, 2008. 
 
SilverJetSilverJet - The Passport Premiere analogy for SilverJet is that it is a hybrid carrier with similarities of both MaxJet and EOS. It offers the affordability of MaxJet , though their fares tend to be higher than the prices offered by MaxJet, combined the flat bed experience offered by EOS.. Unlike MaxJet and EOS, Silverjet flies into London's Luton Airport which is 30 miles north of London. Luton also serves as a hub for easyJet, Monarch Airlines and RyanAir for connection through Luton to other points on the European continent. One point of distinction between SilverJet and EOS is that the SilverJet seats are angled flat while the EOS seat is a true lie flat product. One point of contention other Passport Premiere members have raised is that with such an affordable flat bed option, SilverJet may attract a new breed of passengers that use the experience for a "party in the sky." and an atmosphere that may be difficult to get work done or sleep. Other members have reported more favorable experiences stating that SilverJet is an oasis in the sky. SilverJet offers two flights daily between Newark and Luton Airport, and has recently added onward service to Dubai. Depending on when you purchase, fares with SilverJet to Dubai are available for less than $5,000 which is an outstanding value based considering the flat bed service. On May 30th, 2008 Silverjet followed EOS and MaxJet and ceased operations between New York - London's Luton and Dubai. There was still hope that SilverJet may resume operations, but that thought was squashed when CEO Lawrence Hunt confirmed that the airline would be permanently grounded. 
 
American Airlines - As a side note, American Airlines could not pass up on the all of the interest in Stanstead Airport and has recently launched its own service from JFK to London Stanstead, operating daily 767 service. Fares may be more competitive into Stanstead than Heathrow with American Airlines, but unless you a true Advantage enthusiast there are far better and more compelling options into London's up and coming airports than this old line U.S. carrier. Following the closure of EOS, Maxjet, and Silverjet American ceased its operations into London's Stanstead airport. It was considered in the industry as 'Mission Accomplished' by driving out the more innovative but under-capitalized completion. 
 
 
MaxJet AirlinesMaxJet Airways
 
On December 24th, 2007 MaxJet filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and ceased operations. Though they are no longer operating, we have left their product description here as a reference point on how they compare to the other premium class carriers.
 
Two years have passed since MaxJet Airways commenced service between New York and London's Stanstead Airport in November, 2005. Since their initial launch, MaxJet added Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Washington Dulles as U.S. gateways, though it has suspended the Washington route. Off all of the "new breed" business class carriers, Maxjet is generally the least expensive. MaxJet operates 767 aircraft, fitted with just 102 business class seats using a 2 -2 - 2 configuration. Passport Premiere members save an additional 15% on average over the already lowest prices offered on the MaxJet website. Maxjet offers a comfortable business class product, with deep reclining seats, digiplayers at every seat and food service catered by Lufthansa. However, MaxJet does not offer flat beds in business class. MaxJet's in-flight product is best compared to U.S. carriers such as American Airlines. While American has never produced the BEST business class product in the sky, MaxJet has captured the same if not better in flight experience at savings of as much as 80% MaxJet does not offer a loyalty program, and the reviews from other Passport Premiere members that have tried this carrier have been extremely favorable. MaxJet flies into London Stanstead Airport, which hosts both the U.S. and European breed of alternate air travel. London Stanstead is located in the Utttlesford District of the English county of Essex, about 30 miles northeast of London. Whether you will enjoy the MaxJet experience depends entirely on your own expectations for international premium class travel. If you typically travel U.S. carriers to Europe in business class, then you should be quite pleased with the MaxJet experience. If your expectation is for a completely flat bed in business class, you should perhaps look at other options that exist in the market.