British Airways cabin crew to vote on strike action

British Airways' cabin crew have today (Monday, November 16) received ballot papers from the Unite union. The ballot, on strike action, will close on December 14, also the date for the next mass meeting of cabin crew. If the ballot papers show support for a strike, industrial action could start on December 21 and take place throughout the busy Christmas travel period.

In a statement on its website, Unite says the changes to cabin crews' working practices, which also come into effect today, will cause "additional stress during flight, with fewer crew required to absorb the work of colleagues who have been removed by the company".

BA, Iberia merger would create world's third-largest airline

British Airways (BA) and Iberia have made a preliminary agreement to merge. The agreement comes after more than a year of negotiations and is expected to be completed in late 2010.

The merger, if it is completed, will create the world's third-biggest carrier, with 419 aircraft flying to 205 destinations.

Under the terms of the deal, the Spanish airline will take a 45 per cent stake and British Airways a 55 per cent stake in the new company.

BA-Iberia merger 'not imminent'

Shortly after Sky News announced on Wednesday that the deal between British Airways and Iberia was imminent, an industry source has denied the claim.

The unnamed source said: "The talks are still going on and there is no imminent announcement scheduled."

Cheapflights reported the story back in March after a report in The Times also confirmed that the merger was ‘imminent’.

British Airways braces for record half-year loss

British Airways is this week expected to announce its largest ever interim loss as cabin crew prepare to vote on winter strikes that could deepen its financial crisis.

The flag carrier will unveil a crippling £250 million pre-tax deficit over the past six months, The Times reports, putting it on track for the biggest full-year loss in its history.

BA already posted record-high losses of £401 million last year, which prompted it to unleash the wave of cost-cutting measures that have triggered the latest staff revolt.

British Airways in fresh talks to avert strike

British Airways chief executive Willie Walsh is to meet with union chiefs today as part of a renewed bid to avert looming industrial action this winter.

The airline boss, himself a former negotiator for the Irish Airline Pilots Association, will spearhead efforts to persuade frontline staff that cutbacks are necessary.

Cabin crew have already said they will go to the ballot box in a row over new contracts, but the latest talks focus on check-in staff and other employees.

Competition fears dog British Airways tie-up

The proposed transatlantic alliance between British Airways and American Airlines looks set to run into familiar difficulties, according to The Financial Times.

European regulators have resurrected concerns that any tie-up would stifle competition on transatlantic routes from Heathrow Airport, potentially driving up fares.

In a confidential document sent to the carriers, Brussels said that closer cooperation between BA and AA appears "likely to result in appreciable competitive harm".

British Airways now offering direct flights to Las Vegas

With the introduction of British Airways’ new direct service to Las Vegas, there’s never been a better time to visit Sin City.

Nevada's largest city attracts people from all over the world to book flights to Las Vegas and promises an experience like no other. The city is home to some of the wackiest themed hotels and resorts in the world, from acrobats performing in the lobby to rooms built inside a pyramid.

British Airways in talks to avoid strike action

British Airways is to take part in a new round of talks aimed at heading off potential industrial action by unions angered with the airline's latest job cuts.

The flag carrier last week unveiled plans to axe 1,700 jobs, and with rumours circulating of a further 1,300 redundancies unions say they may have "no alternative" but to strike.

If industrial action goes ahead, it would most likely be timed to cause maximum disruption to passengers during the hectic holiday period around Christmas.

British Airways puts Club Europe packages on sale

British Airways passengers can now book Club Europe holiday packages through ba.com thanks to a major upgrade of the flag carrier's website.

The new service, which follows a technological update at ba.com, enables flight reservations to be combined with bookings for 5* hotels in Europe.

Strike threat as British Airways axes 1,700 jobs

Fears are growing that UK airports could be hit by industrial action over the winter months after British Airways unilaterally announced 1,700 job cuts.

The flag carrier has incensed unions by forcing through the cost-cutting measure, which will reduce cabin crew numbers on long-haul Heathrow flights from 15 to 14.

A spokesman for the Unite union confirmed that the move made Christmas strikes a real possibility, accusing BA of "holding a gun to the heads of our members".

BA to axe short-haul routes if 3rd runway blocked

British Airways has revealed that it will be forced to axe a "significant" number of short-haul routes if no third runway is built at Heathrow Airport.

The stark warning came from CEO Willie Walsh, who cautioned that pledges by a future Tory government to scrap expansion plans would be disastrous for the airline.

He said that if BA is unable to secure new landing slots at the gateway, the flag carrier would have to shift its attention to more-profitable long-haul services 

British Airways' London-New York flights ready to take off

British Airways' (BA) new all-Business-Class service to New York JFK is scheduled to take off from London City Airport tomorrow (Tuesday, September 29).

While the cost of flights (starting at about £2,000) are not at the cheap end of the spectrum, there is one interesting new development - onboard internet access.

Passengers on the converted A318 aircraft, which has seats (that convert to flat beds) for just 32 travellers, will be able to text, email and tweet from 30,000 feet.

British Airways to reverse surfboard policy - some allowed

When British Airways (BA) stopped passengers from bringing their surfboards (and other pieces of equipment such as windsurfing boards and sails, hang gliders, kayaks, canoes, pole vaults and javelins) on flights in November 2007, it caused consternation among surfers. BA said at the time that it was due to "the large size and handling complexities" of the items.

Now, thanks to a campaign on Facebook that gained support from more than 14,000 surfers, BA has said it will allow surfboards in padded bags up to 190cm (6ft 3in) long.

British Airways to charge for seats

British Airways (BA) has already cut its baggage allowance and abolished free meals on short-haul flights in attempts to balance its books, its latest money-making idea is to charge for seating.

From October 7, passengers who wish to sit together or who wish to secure a window, aisle or emergency-exit-row seat will have to pay.

The charges will start at £10 per person per flight for short-haul domestic UK or Europe-bound flights in Economy Class.

British Airways mulls leisure routes for London City

British Airways is considering launching leisure routes from London City Airport in a bid to boost volumes during the off-peak season for business travel.

Bloomberg reports that the flag carrier is looking at deploying its new fleet of Embraer 190 jets to open up links with destinations such as Majorca and Ibiza.

British Airways shrugs off bmi takeover rumours

British Airways is refusing to confirm or deny that it is engaged in talks over the possible acquisition of rival carrier bmi, The Derby Telegraph reports.

Several news sources claimed this week that BA is among a group of airlines that have signed confidentiality agreements with bmi's current owner, Lufthansa.

The German flag carrier is thought to be seeking a quick sale of the airline, which it grudgingly purchased this summer as part of a deal brokered a decade ago.

British Airways in triumphant return to TV

British Airways is to return to television screens after a two year absence on Monday (September 7), when its new marketing campaign takes to the airwaves.

The flag carrier hopes that the advertising strategy, which focuses on "opportunities," will rekindle enthusiasm for air travel and help reverse its financial woes.

It has been hard hit by the recession, posting annual losses of £401 million in May and pursuing a flurry of cost-cutting measures that included axing free meals.

British Airways to add flight to St. Kitts

British Airways' flights to St. Kitts have proved so popular that the airline is to introduce another daily service from March 2010.

The airline flew more than 4,000 passengers to the tiny isle in the northern Leeward Islands in the first half of this year, and Richard Tams, Head of UK and Ireland Sales for British Airways, said: “We’re delighted to be increasing the number of flights into St. Kitts.

British Airways snubbed as PM flies with Virgin

British Airways' reputation has been dealt a severe blow after Prime Minister Gordon Brown decided to fly with Virgin Atlantic on a trip to the US next month.

Cabinet members usually fly with the flag carrier on overseas business, but according to The Telegraph Virgin managed to undercut BA's price by 30 per cent.

British Airways launches new Low-Fare Finder

British Airways (BA) has unveiled a handy tool for travellers on its website - the Low-Fare Finder. The easy-to-use chart lists BA's 150 destinations and allows users to see exactly when fares are lowest. It follows hard on the heels of the Value Calculator, launched in June, which compares the cost of BA flights with those of the major low-cost airlines such as easyJet and Ryanair.

The Low-Fare Finder covers flights to seven geographical regions from Europe, UK and Ireland to the Far East and Australia.

BA to allow advertising on website, boarding passes

Visitors to British Airways' (BA) website and those flying with the airline will notice some changes come October.

In a bid to stem rising losses, British Airways is to allow companies to advertise on its website and boarding passes.

British Airways increases ticket prices, change fees

British Airways (BA) has increased its fares by up to £40 per return flight on long-haul routes.

Economy-Class flyers and those in Premium Economy (BA's World Traveller and World Traveller Plus classes) will have to stump up an extra £20 per return flight.

British Airways slashes free baggage allowance

Passengers travelling with British Airways will soon have to pack a little lighter, with the airline cutting its free baggage allowance in World Traveller cabins.

From October 7, the allowance on most of BA's long-haul routes will be slashed from two bags to one, while other restrictions on sporting equipment will also apply.

British Airways smarts from historic £148m loss

British Airways posted first quarter losses of £148 million this morning (July 31) as the airline warned the industry to brace itself for tough times ahead.

This is the first time BA has posted a Q1 loss since privatisation in 1987, with the three months to the end of June traditionally being its most profitable quarter.

During the same period last year the flag carrier raked in profits of £37 million, but the recession has taken a heavy toll on demand for its premium business products.

Now BA scrimping on business class meals

Further details of British Airways' reduced in-flight catering service have emerged, with business class meals now being targeted for cost-cutting.

According to a report in today's Financial Times, the flag carrier will be axing complimentary canapés and chocolates from all of its long-haul First and Club cabins.

No more free meals on short-haul BA flights

British Airways has announced that from next week it will no longer provide lunch or dinner on short-haul flights – a move that will save it £22 million.

The flag carrier is replacing its sandwiches, rolls and meals with more basic snacks such as crisps, nuts and chocolates, with no option to purchase extra food.

British Airways announces new flight cutbacks

British Airways has begun unveiling details of the cutbacks to its winter 2009 timetable.

The airline's Heathrow to Sydney via Singapore connection will be scaled back throughout the winter months, with passengers being re-accommodated on alternative flights.

Alongside the cancellations, unconfirmed reports suggest that BA services to Chicago, New York, Seattle and Johannesburg are also facing reduced frequencies.

Compensation for 211,000 BA, Virgin customers

More than 211,000 customers of British Airways and Virgin Atlantic have applied for refunds in the wake of the carriers' fuel surcharge price-fixing scandal.

Some 170,000 of the claims were filed by UK-based passengers, newly released figures show, but they form just a fraction of the millions eligible for partial refunds.

BA to sell OpenSkies 'within two months'

British Airways could be just two months away from offloading its loss-making business class subsidiary OpenSkies, according to a report in Reuters.

The news agency cited "a person familiar with the matter" as saying that investment bank Reynolds Partners has been drafted in to find a buyer for the carrier.

Ashes victory spells cheap flights to Australia

Cricket fans will have an extra reason to cheer on England this week, with two airlines vowing to peg their ticket prices to the results of the second Ashes Test.

British Airways and Qantas have both promised to lower their return fares to Australia, matching the score achieved by its players during their first innings at Lord's.

Meanwhile, the availability of seats will be pegged to England's number of runs in the same innings, meaning that an all-out thrashing will be great news for holidaymakers.

BA: Luxury air travel a thing of the past

Demand for Business and First-Class travel is unlikely to return to the levels seen before the recession, British Airways has acknowledged for the first time.

Signalling a seachange in the airline's reliance on premium travel, Chairman Martin Broughton said that corporate cutbacks on travel expenses are here to stay.

He warned: "This is no ordinary downturn; no cyclical swing that will automatically turn up again. The market for premium travel may never fully recover."

British Airways workers throw out pay offer

British Airways is battling to stave off airport strikes this summer after unions "overwhelmingly" rejected cost-saving measures put forward by its management.

The flag carrier had called for 3,700 job cuts before talks broke down last month, in addition to pay freezes for two years and a radical re-think of working conditions.

It claimed the measures were necessary to keep the business viable, but workers have now labelled the move an "assault" on their pay and hinted at industrial action.

British Airways staff to meet to discuss cutbacks

British Airways' (BA) staff are to meet later today (Monday) for an update on progress in negotiations with the airline.

BA had set a deadline of June 30 for unions to reach an agreement on almost 4,000 job cuts, a pay freeze and other measures, but this date came and went without a deal being struck.

On Wednesday, July 8, Acas, the conciliation service, will chair a meeting between BA and the unions to hammer out a deal.

British Airways tweaks winter flights schedule

Last week we reported on British Airways' changes to its winter flights schedule. Now the airline has announced further tweaks. From October 25, there will be changes to services from London Gatwick and Heathrow airports.

The changes are as follows:

Gatwick to Rome - two flights per day will go down to one per day.

British Airways' workers agree to pay cuts

British Airways staff have responded to Willie Walsh's calls to dig deep for the future of the airline. Almost 7,000 employees agreed to voluntary pay cuts, which will save the airline as much as £10 million.

About 4,000 staff will take unpaid leave, 1,400 will work part-time and 800 employees will work for free in July. Among those working for free next month will be Walsh, the Chief Executive, and Keith Williams, the Finance Director.

Walsh to staff: British Airways future at risk

Willie Walsh has given his gloomiest assessment yet of the future of British Airways, effectively telling staff that the flag carrier faces potential bankruptcy.

In a startling internal email sent to employees, the chief executive confirmed that BA is "definitely at risk" if trade unions reject its call for voluntary redundancies.

He warned that the £401 million loss BA made last year left it in a perilous situation, saying the downturn was "beyond anything that we can save from our costs".

British Airways amends winter schedule

British Airways has made a number of revisions to its winter timetable from Gatwick Airport, ditching some services but boosting several others.

The flag carrier will no longer offer Gatwick flights to Alicante, Malta, Krakow and Palma during the season, though it will be operating extra services to Bermuda, Barbados, St Lucia and Port of Spain.

BA is also transferring five routes from Gatwick to Heathrow Airport on October 25, shifting connections with Barcelona, Gibraltar, Madrid, Malaga and Pisa.

No-frills charges exposed by BA 'value calculator'

British Airways has gone on the offensive against its no-frills competitors by launching an online Value Calculator that exposes their hidden charges.

The new facility allows would-be passengers to select preferences such as baggage and optional extras, before comparing surcharges from BA, Ryanair and easyJet.

British Airways to fly 'City to Wall Street'

© BA

British Airways' (BA) new business-only service from London City Airport to New York JFK is to start on September 29.

The flights will not come cheap. Costing about £5,000 return, the service will be for travellers with deep pockets. However, BA is touting the service as the most convenient link between the City of London and Wall Street.

BA and bmi perform badly for lost luggage

British Airways and bmi are among the airlines with the worst record in Europe for losing luggage, newly released performance figures show.

People travelling with bmi have a 1-in-58 chance of having their bags misplaced, while for BA passengers the ratio improves only marginally to 1-in-64.

That places Britain's flag carrier 22nd and bmi 23rd in a league table of 26 European airlines.

British Airways unions spurn 'free work' bid

Unions have reacted with disdain to a letter from Willie Walsh, the chief executive of British Airways, who is asking employees to sacrifice their pay packets.

Mr Walsh made the appeal in an in-house newspaper, warning that the flag carrier is in a "fight for survival" and calling on staff to volunteer for unpaid work.

But his plea appears to have fallen on deaf ears, with a spokesman for the GMB union saying that its members would have difficulty taking it seriously.

British Airways: Passengers should foot carbon bill

Passengers must be willing to pay higher fares if they want the airline industry to offset the environmental damage caused by flights, the CEO of British Airways has stated.

Willie Walsh proposed that the flying public face green taxes to the tune of $5 billion (£3 billion) a year, thereby enabling the industry to counterbalance its carbon emissions.

His recommendation, published today in The Times, marks the first time that a member carrier of the Aviation Global Deal (AGD) has called for a carbon tax on passengers.

British Airways resumes Saudi Arabia flights

British Airways has operated its first flights to Saudi Arabia in four years, restoring two lucrative connections with Jeddah and capital city Riyadh.

The flights touched down in the kingdom on Sunday (May 31), marking the start of BA's new five-times-per-week timetable for both destinations.

BA adds flights to Sharm El Sheikh and Maldives

British Airways has confirmed that it is launching two new connections from Gatwick Airport for people hoping to soak up some winter sun.

From October 25, the flag carrier will be running thrice weekly direct services to Male in the Maldives and the Egyptian holiday resort of Sharm El Sheikh.

British Airways to axe Gatwick-JFK flights

British Airways is to stop flying between London Gatwick Airport (LGW) and New York JFK on October 25, almost a year after services commenced.

A spokesman for British Airways, quoted by The Times, said: “We constantly review our network and have decided that the performance of LGW-JFK was not as good as we had expected when we launched the route.

BA eyes more Heathrow slots despite losses

British Airways would consider buying more slots at London Heathrow Airport in spite of the tough economic climate, The Financial Times reports.

The flag carrier announced annual losses of £401 million last week, but according to chief executive Willie Walsh opportunities to expand are still on the table.

His comments follow speculation that bmi, Heathrow's second biggest carrier, may relinquish some Heathrow slots as its dispute with Lufthansa rumbles on.

British Airways ditches First Class cabins

British Airways, which posted record losses of £401 million last week, has said it is removing First Class cabins from four of its new long-haul planes.

The flag carrier did not directly blame the recession for the cut-backs, though analysts say the global downturn has decimated premium bookings.

Two new Caribbean routes from British Airways

British Airways will be launching twice weekly services from London Gatwick to Jamaica and the Dominican Republic this winter, TravelMole reports.

The UK flag carrier is adding new connections to Montego Bay and Punta Cana on October 25, with frequencies also increasing on several other Caribbean routes.

Gatwick flights to St Lucia and Port of Spain will increase to five a week, while BA will also raise its number of weekly flights to Barbados to ten.

Lions Tour jet christened Air Force Scrum

The aircraft that will fly the British and Irish Lions team to South Africa this weekend has been christened Air Force Scrum, following a public competition.

Judges selected the slogan, put forward by Dublin Trinity College student Dara Fahy, after British Airways invited rugby fans to suggest a motto for the jet.

US businesses voice support for BA/AA alliance

© British Airways

Almost 3,400 business and consumer groups have written letters of support for the proposed union between British Airways (BA) and American Airlines (AA).

Willie Walsh, chief executive of BA, said the US Department of Transportation (DoT) has been inundated with favourable responses to the transatlantic tie-up.

But not everyone supports the move, with Virgin Atlantic renewing its opposition today by warning of a "monster monopoly" that will stifle competition on key routes.