British Airways is planning an all-premium class transatlantic service between the US and mainland European cities as part of a head-on challenge to its leading continental rivals.

Willie Walsh, BA chief executive, said such services, which would not be on offer in the UK, were planned to start in the summer of next year. The plan represents BA's effort to take early advantage of the recently agreed US/European Union "open skies" deal to liberalise transatlantic air services.