British Airways has taken its first step towards offering transatlantic business-only flights by applying to US authorities for permission to fly to a number of its airports.

According to the Financial Mail, the airline is looking to operate business class-only services from Milan, Frankfurt, Madrid and Paris to Boston, New York and Chicago.

Designed to capitalise on the recent open skies pact between Europe and the US, the proposals will see the airline come up against Virgin Atlantic, which announced its intention to provide similar flights last week.

Continental airlines look unlikely to step up to the mark and launch their own business class-only flights, however, as it is difficult to obtain new slots at Heathrow Airport.

"British Airways and Virgin, which have a superb brand and good reputation for service, should be the winners," commented aviation consultant Keith McMullan of Aviation Economics.

A spokesman for Virgin said last week that the carrier intends to launch its business class airline within the next 12 to 18 months.

• Qantas developing new business class services
• Eastern Airways most punctual scheduled airline
• Etihad experiences busiest day ever
• Singapore Air receives fifth A380
• Bmi planning more Heathrow to Saudi Arabia flights
• New bmi flights from Edinburgh to Copenhagen
• United Airlines opens new Chicago O'Hare lounge
• Etihad boosts Heathrow-Abu Dhabi flights
• American Airlines to test inflight broadband
• Awards recognise best of Asia