Market conditions

Market conditions for the industry remain very difficult, with the strong dollar largely offsetting the benefit of the recent fall in oil prices. The outlook for premium bookings is uncertain as forward booking patterns for business travel develop after the summer break.

Strategic Developments

British Airways, American Airlines and Iberia signed a joint business agreement on flights between North America and Europe and plan to expand their global cooperation. The relationship will benefit consumers by providing easy, seamless and convenient travel to more global destinations with better connections, improved flight schedules and enhanced frequent flyer benefits.

Shannon Airport was announced as the re-fuelling stop for British Airways’ planned business-class only flights from London City to New York. During the stop customers will be allowed to complete USA arrivals checks, meaning they will by-pass the normal arrivals checks when they land in New York. The airline plans to launch twice-daily business class flights between London City and New York. It is expected the new service will launch in autumn 2009.

Team GB flew home with British Airways from Beijing to a heroes’ welcome.

British Airways was voted Best Transatlantic Airline by air travellers in this year's Skytrax survey.

British Airways celebrated £25 million raised since the ‘Change for Good’ partnership between the airline and UNICEF began in 1994.