A new airline is preparing to launch non-stop business class flights from London City to New York.
Odyssey Airlines plans to use 10 newly-ordered Bombardier CSeries passenger jets, Reuters exclusively reported.
Bombardier spokesman John Arnone confirmed the CS100 jets have transatlantic range but would not name Odyssey Airlines as a buyer.
The airline will be a direct challenge to BA which already offers twice-daily business flights to New York from London City.
There is currently little publicity about the airline, as is common for new competitors in the travel industry.
The CSeries are due for delivery in 2013, with Odyssey likely to begin flights in 2014 or 2015.
Benoit Poirier, an analyst with Montreal’s Desjardins Securities, said the project is serious, and added that Bombardier had long been keen to establish links with London City’s Airport.