OREANDA-NEWS. British Airways and US Airways are launching a codeshare arrangement which will allow British Airways customers access to nearly 40 destinations in North America and the Caribbean.  In the reciprocal arrangement, US Airways customers will be able to fly with British Airways to more than 70 destinations throughout Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

US Airways, part of the American Airlines group, joined British Airways in the Atlantic Joint Business on March 31.  This codeshare will further cement the relationship as well as giving customers of both airlines enhanced connectivity and easier access to a greater number of destinations.

Launched in a phased approach, the codeshare will initially cover nearly all of the two carriers’ trans-Atlantic flights. From today, British Airways customers will be able to book flights on US Airways to Charlotte and Philadelphia from 17 European destinations, for travel from May 14.  Similarly, US Airways customers will benefit when the carrier’s code is placed on British Airways’ flights to London from 21 destinations in North America.

The remaining flights in the codeshare will be implemented in phases with all destinations to be included by the end of the summer.

Steve Ronald, British Airways’ head of alliances, said:  “Our codeshare arrangement with US Airways, and the addition of its extensive network to our schedule, marks another milestone in our Joint Business.  This is great news for our customers who now have even more flexibility when travelling between Europe and the United States and greater opportunities to explore the Americas and beyond.”

Kurt Stache, American Airlines’ senior vice-president of alliances and partnerships, said:  “US Airways’ entry into the Atlantic Joint Business marked a crucial step in our overall integration process, and this codeshare arrangement with our long term partner British Airways is essential to the continued expansion of our combined networks.  British Airways’ network from London offers unparalleled access to key destinations in Europe, Asia and the Middle East, providing our customers another tangible benefit of both the joint business and our merger.”

Members of the British Airways Executive Club and US Airways Dividend Miles frequent flyer programmes will be able to earn miles when travelling on codeshare flights operated by the other airline.