OpenSkies’ logo is smooth and gliding, like the trail of an expertly piloted liner. The symbol conveys a sense of freedom, comfort, and focus on the customer’s needs. The emblem includes patriotic touches, linking the company to its parent conglomerate in England.
OpenSkies was created in 2007 by British Airways to take advantage of the new EU-U.S. Open Skies agreement, which came into force in 2008. The agreement allowed European airlines to fly from any EU airport to the United States, not only from their home country. For British Airways, it opened a way into the French transatlantic market, where Air France and U.S. carriers had long been the main players.
The airline’s first commercial flight took place in June 2008 between Paris Orly and New York JFK. OpenSkies used Boeing 757-200 aircraft and focused on a premium transatlantic product with three cabin classes. Its service was aimed mainly at business travelers seeking a smaller operation than that of the major network airlines.
In 2008, British Airways also acquired L’Avion, a French airline operating all-business-class flights between Paris and New York, including Newark. L’Avion was integrated into OpenSkies, while the combined company continued under the Elysair holding structure and used the OpenSkies brand for passengers. This gave the airline access to both JFK and Newark in its core Paris-to-New York market.
After 2011, OpenSkies became part of International Airlines Group, or IAG, following the merger of British Airways and Iberia. During the 2010s, the airline moved away from a strictly premium model while maintaining its focus on Paris-to-New York. It competed with Air France and later La Compagnie. In 2017, IAG introduced the long-haul low-cost brand Level, using OpenSkies’ operating certificate and structure. In 2018, IAG ended flights under the OpenSkies name.
Meaning and History
What is OpenSkies?
Founded in 2008, OpenSkies was a unique division of British Airways operating transatlantic routes between Paris and New York. Its goal was to provide passengers with premium service and an exceptional travel experience. In 2018, there was a significant change when OpenSkies began operating under the Level brand, another subsidiary of the International Airlines Group. The new page in the airline’s history was short-lived: it ceased operations in 2020, primarily due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on global transportation.
2008 – 2018
The OpenSkies logo conveys an atmosphere of freedom and the ease of flying. The main text is handwritten and colored blue. The letters connect smoothly, resembling a flight’s trajectory or the soft contours of clouds. This style creates a sense of lightness and motion, emphasizing the company’s name. Blue reinforces the association with the sky and calmness, making the overall design harmonious.
Below the main text is a red stroke, designed as an elongated line with a pointed end. It evokes the image of an airplane wing or an airflow trail in the sky. The red color adds vibrancy and energy to the logo, contrasting with the primary blue. This element transitions to the lower part, where the parent company’s name, British Airways, is located.
The name British Airways is written in uppercase letters in a classic style. The font appears formal, yet its modern lines look fresh. Slight extensions at the ends of the letters create a serif-like effect while maintaining a contemporary feel. The blue text highlights the connection to the sky and underscores the brand’s reliability.
The overall structure of the logo combines softness and formality. The upper section, written in a handwritten style, symbolizes movement and lightness, while the lower section adds solidity and emphasizes the connection to British Airways.
The emblem evokes a sense of comfort and freedom, perfectly reflecting the airline’s approach. Smooth lines, rich colors, and a balanced composition make the logo modern, impactful, and aligned with high service standards.


