British Airways is expanding its business class service to the New York area. While British Airways currently offers eight flights between Heathrow and JFK daily and three flights between Heathrow and Newark daily, the airline is betting there is room for expansion. However, British Airways isn’t simply adding extra flights out of Heathrow. Instead, they’re homing in on true international business travelers…

The new British Airways flights will not be departing from Heathrow. They’ll be taking off from London City Airport, which currently doesn’t offer trans-Atlantic flights.

So, why London City? Well, London City Airport is nestled very closely to two major hubs for international business, the financial district and Canary Wharf. In addition to location, British Airways will offer these flights as pure business-class. There will be 32 business class seats that offer “lie flat” recline.

The move will, of course, up the pressure on business class-only carriers like Silverjet and eos, and it will give British Airways even more tools to lure American and international business travelers.

Visit the International Herald Tribune for statements from British Airways’ North American Operations department, and sign up for our Free Airfare Alerts to be the first to know about great first class and business class travel deals to London and other European destinations.