Press release - June 9, 2005

Dow Jones Newswire

New Airline Eos To Fly Business Class Between NY, London

NEW YORK -(Dow Jones)- A former British Airways PLC (BAB) executive will start a new airline this year to offer premium service between New York and London .

In a press release Wednesday, a new airline called Eos, founded by David Spurlock , announced it will begin business-class-only transatlantic service in the third quarter.

The airline has secured $185 million in equity and lease financing from Golden Gate Capital, a private equity company, and venture capital firms Sutter Hill Ventures and Maveron.

"Eos will take the stress and hassle out of flying and return to the 'Concorde-like' experience of exclusivity and community that is missing from today's airline marketplace," said Bonnie Reitz , Eos president and formerly a marketing executive with Continental Airlines Inc. (CAL).

Chief Executive Spurlock was head of strategy for British Airways. Eos's other executives also have roots in the airline industry. Executive Vice President of Operations Gil Morgan was president of World Airways. Chief Financial Officer Eilif Serck-Hanssen was treasurer of US Airways Group Inc. (UAIRQ).

Senior Vice President, People, is Joan Schuckenbrock, who had lead human resources at AirTran Holdings Inc. (AAI), and Senior Vice President of Marketing Richard Metzner had been in charge of marketing for Continental.

The airline will lease three 757 airplanes, and configure them with 48 seats, rather than the typical 200 seats, giving each customer 21 square feet of space. Initially the airline will fly exclusively between New York's Kennedy airport and London's Stanstead.

- By Elizabeth Souder , Dow Jones Newswires; 201-938-4148; elizabeth.souder@ dowjones.com