(WASHINGTON) - OpenSkies, a new transatlantic airline created by British Airways, said Friday it won approval from US regulators to launch flights between New York and Paris starting in June.

The carrier, which calls itself a "premium" airline and offers codesharing with French-based L'Avion, said it received approval from the US Department of Transportation (DOT).

It claims to be the first airline created on the basis of the US-European Union open-skies pact that allows carriers increased access to each other's markets.

"We are delighted to receive approval for take-off and sincerely appreciate the DOT's efficiency and careful consideration in reviewing our application," said Dale Moss, managing director of OpenSkies.

"As the first airline to be created as a result of the Open Skies agreement, this is a huge step forward as we work to make history and set a new industry standard across the Atlantic. We look forward to bringing travelers an intimate, personalized and premium travel experience between Paris and New York starting in just a few weeks."

The company said it will start taking bookings next week via its website www.flyopenskies.com or by phone, and through travel agents.

OpenSkies will use a Boeing 757 aircraft that is configured to allow the seats to fold into full beds in business class.

It plans to serve additional routes from European cities including Amsterdam, Brussels, Frankfurt and Milan to New York.

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