British Airways | News, deals and offers from British Airways

British Airways Plc and Qantas Airways Ltd are announcing that after detailed discussions about a potential merger, talks have ended. Despite the potential longer term benefits to both British Airways and Qantas, the airlines have not been able to come to agreement over the key terms of a merger at this time.

British Airways will drop its fuel surcharge by as much as a third on longhaul services from Thursday, December 18. The move reflects the reduction in the price of oil and the airline's fuel hedging policy for 2009/10.

A staggering 1.6 million people are jetting away with British Airways across the peak festive period (December 17 to January 4) putting the doom and gloom of 2008 behind them for Christmas.

British Airways will be the official airline of the British & Irish Lions Tour to South Africa in 2009. The partnership will see British Airways fly the squad and coaching staff to South Africa and provide domestic flights within the country through its branded franchise carrier, Comair.

British Airways has recorded its best global punctuality performance for seven years as Terminal 5 continues to improve customer service levels. Almost 87 per cent of shorthaul flights across the British Airways network departed on time in November.

In response to recent media speculation, British Airways Plc has confirmed that it is exploring a potential merger with Qantas Airways Limited via a dual-listed company structure.

British Airways launched its biggest ever BA Miles sale, offering flights for half the usual BA Miles in any cabin to any destination worldwide. For one week only, British Airways Executive Club members can take advantage of exceptional flight offers, starting at 4,500 miles (usually 9,000) to many European destinations.

British Airways will resume flights to Jeddah and Riyadh in Saudi Arabia from March 29, 2009. The airline will fly five times each week from Heathrow Terminal 5 to both Jeddah and Riyadh. Flights to Riyadh will operate on a Boeing 777 and Jeddah flights will be on a Boeing 767.

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has upheld a complaint from BA that an easyJet regional press ad claiming its fares were up to 65 per cent cheaper than BA was misleading.

British Airways has launched a remote check-in service, allowing travellers 'on the go' to check-in for flights wherever they may be, via their mobile handsets. The service is quick, free and available in 11 languages - without any need to download accompanying software.

British Airways' customers planning to visit the United States under the visa waiver scheme must ensure they comply with new US Customs regulations in advance of their travel.

Customers on British Airways' new business-class service from London City to New York will be able to clear customs and immigration at Shannon Airport before arriving in the US. The west Ireland airport is the first European airport to be granted pre-clearance facilities for transatlantic services to the US.

British Airways has agreed a multi million pound deal for the new Thales TopSeries In Flight Entertainment system to be installed on its new delivery aircraft and next generation aircraft.

British Airways is giving customers more comfort and privacy in its Club Europe cabin from February 23, 2009 by removing the use of the middle seat. This new configuration will offer those customers booked in the airline's shorthaul business class cabin a guaranteed window or aisle seat, with the middle seat free. It will provide them with greater privacy and enhance their ability to work and rest onboard.

The upcoming start of the new British Airways scheduled service to St. Kitts was celebrated at the 2008 World Travel Market at a champagne reception hosted by the St. Kitts Tourism Authority. Key members of the press and travel industry were entertained by Manchester-based St. Kitts & Nevis Masqueraders and Clowns.

British Airways – the UK’s flagship carrier which operates 56 weekly services from the GCC to London Heathrow – has completed the move of all Middle East flights into Terminal 5, its dedicated £4.3billion home at London Heathrow.

Paradise just got closer with British Airways starting flights to the unspoilt Caribbean islands of St Kitts and Nevis this winter. Weekly flights on Saturdays from Gatwick to St Kitts start on January 10, 2009.

British Airways passengers looking for luxury ‘before they fly’ can now buy upgrades on European flights and longhaul flights from Heathrow. From just £100 one-way customers can now upgrade to the business class Club Europe cabin and from just £180 to the World Traveller Plus cabin on longhaul flights.

British Airways has dropped its fuel surcharge by as much as £13 from midnight, Wednesday October 15. World Traveller passengers will pay £13 less on longer sectors and £10 less on shorter sectors. World Traveller Plus passengers will pay £6.50 less on longer sectors and £5 on shorter sectors.

World Traveller Plus is British Airways' premier economy product. The airline was the first global commercial carrier to introduce a fourth class of travel back in 2000. The service is aimed at the cost conscious business traveller and discerning leisure passenger who want more space and privacy than in World Traveller.

British Airways currently employs around 3,270 mainline pilots to operate its mainline fleet of 248 aircraft on a huge variety of routes around the world. Each pilot is trained to the very highest standards to fly one particular fleet of aircraft. Pilots can change the type of aircraft they work on at various stages of their careers.

British Airways has launched a social media platform called Metrotwin.com linking the world's two most dynamic hubs; London and New York. British Airways is the first airline to launch a 'community' website of this kind. Metrotwin is an online community that provides expert recommendations of the best places in both cities and extends the idea of 'town twinning' to the level of restaurants bars, shops, neighbourhoods and other places.

British Airways has confirmed that bigmouthmedia has retained its role as the airline's online search optimisation agency. Search optimisation ensures that ba.com will be listed on the front pages of any internet search engine.

British Airways is opening its sixth Terminal 5 lounge next week - the 'Galleries' lounge in the terminal's satellite B building. From Wednesday (September 17), customers with flights departing from the satellite terminal will be able to go directly to Terminal 5 B after they have passed through ticket presentation and security and enjoy the lounge facilities.

British Airways has introduced a dedicated check-in area for business class customers. The area, located at Zone H at the far end of Terminal 5 next to the First class check in area, will be clearly signposted for Club World and Club Europe passengers.