BA close to American alliance

British Airways says it is hopeful of agreeing a tie-up with its largest US rival American Airlines within weeks.

Link here.

VS comment in the last paragraph.

This doesn't seem to be a merger like the Iberia deal. Don't think it will encourage me to book BA/AA over Virgin - two staid airlines welcome to each other if you ask me!

[Scrooge]

They cannot merge, US regulators would shoot it down in a second, what they are going for is something similar to the NW/KLM deal.

Originally posted by Scrooge
They cannot merge, US regulators would shot it down in a second, what they are going for is something similar to the NW/KLM deal.

And if so a good thing, at least I'll be able to use my AA miles to book BA flights across the Atlantic which is one of the ridiculous restrictions at the moment!

I don't think Virgin should be to obstreperous either - BA / AA is a very much different kettle of fish to VS's niche operation.

Look like it's going ahead... http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7560790.stm

And investigated by the EU

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7587825.stm

Dom

Having just flown on G-VBLU, I noticed the 'NO WAY BA/AA' slogan has started to re-appear on the fuselage.

Originally posted by Jetstreamer
Having just flown on G-VBLU, I noticed the 'NO WAY BA/AA' slogan has started to re-appear on the fuselage.

Oh what a waste of time and money!

[Decker]

Oh that's OK they've got money to burn.... oh wait...

I wonder how many pillows, blankets and celebration cakes had to be sacrificed to pay for those slogans?

I think that shows how much VS think is at stake...