Airline News: British Airways and Iberia Merge

Big news breaks in the airline industry today: British Airways and Iberia agreed to a $7 billion merger, ending more than a year of merger discussions.

The merger gives British Airways investors 55 percent of the business. According to reports in Bloomberg News, the merger won’t be completed until late 2010 and "can be called off by Iberia if BA fails to resolve pension-deficit issues."

The intended merger has been the cause of many airline industry debates over the past year, specifically with Virgin Atlantic executives who say this merger will cause a monopoly in the airline industry.

“It is impossible for any other airline to replicate their scale,” Virgin said in a statement. “Regulators in Europe and the U.S. need to be alert to BA’s growing dominance through proposals such as its monster monopoly with American Airlines, proposals which will not be in the consumer interest.”

British Airways Offers Cheap Flights from Boston to London

Boston and London are two cities steeped in history. And, British Airways is one airline offering discounted fares between the two places. However, unlike several of the other sales we’ve seen to London recently, this one lets you enjoy sale fares for the next year.

Flights start at $598 round-trip (taxes and fees not included). The lowest prices are available between December 2009 and March 2010, while prices jump to $976 round-trip next summer. Fares decrease slightly in the spring and fall starting at $736 round-trip.

Looking to travel last-minute? Flights to London start at $637 for the month of November.

British Airways and Expedia: Cheap Flights from Las Vegas to Europe

This deal is bigger than anything transatlantic – in fact, it almost reaches the Pacific. In honor of British Airways’ new routes to Las Vegas, it’s offering cheap flights to Europe, starting at $498 round-trip. Book with British Airways through Expedia to get these rates.

Go from Lady Luck to Big Ben in London, or leave from the Palms in Vegas to palm trees on the coast of Spain. Spend some time in absorbing the history and culture of Greece in Athens, or shop till your budget is a mere thing of the past in Milan. Either way, you’re getting a seriously cheap flight.

The catch? You have to book by tonight. Travel from Nov. 2 – March 28. Tickets must be booked seven days in advance, and black-out dates include Dec. 21, 22, 23. These introductory fares are available only on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays.

Holiday Travel Threatened as BA Employees Prepare to Strike

Heading across this pond this holiday season? If you're planning to fly British Airways, prepare yourself for some possible flight interruptions.

The Times online is reporting that unions representing British Airways' 14,000 cabin crew said strike action is in the works. The reason? After nine months of negotiations regarding to crew working conditions, a pay freeze and staff redundancies, talks broke down and the union called for a strike. If the cabin crew agree, the first strikes will likely take place early December, just in time for holiday flights.

According to The Times, British Airways lost £401 million in 2008 and in an effort to cut costs, BA's management wants to reduce its cabin crew budget by about £140 million a year. The airline suggested this budget cut come in the form of pay freezes and reducing travel allowances for international travel. In addition to the staff cuts, more than 1,000 cabin crew will be offered voluntary buy-outs and an additional 3,000 employees will be asked to move to part-time employment.

If the strike takes place, it's likely British Airways will be forced to cancel flights during December, causing a disruption in holiday travel.

© Cheapflights Ltd

Airline News: British Airways to Cut Staff, Freeze Pay for 2-Years

British Airways announced it would cut up to 1,700 staff in the UK and institute a two-year freeze on pay for cabin crew, according to BBC.

Beginning in November, British Airways will start flying with one less member of the cabin crew. The airline said it failed to reach an agreement with unions representing the cabin crew after nine months. The airline said the job cuts would involve 1,000 cabin crew taking voluntary redundancy and a further 3,000 choosing to go part-time, and would take effect from the end of November.

While British Airways will still have plenty of staff on board to exceed the minimum FAA safety regulations, will the loss of one crew member result in customer service complaints? That's the question on the minds of many industry-watchers, and only time will tell.

In the meantime, British Airways continues to book flights to and from the US from its headquarters in London, and provides flights throughout Europe.

© Cheapflights Ltd

Get a Free Companion Ticket With British Airways

Decisions, decisions. If you were given a free companion ticket on British Airways, who would you take with you?

Ok, stop daydreaming and start booking a flight. Complete a round-trip trans-Atlantic flight before Jan. 29, 2010 and British Airways will award you a free companion ticket which can be used for a future flight. You can then book another flight and companion ticket between Jan. 4 and July 3, 2010 and travel between Jan. 11 and Dec. 15, 2010.

Usually with an offer like this, it’s easy to get hung up on restrictions, but the companion flight is good for travel to any of British Airways 300 destinations, such as the Caribbean Islands, South America and Europe, and you can fly in any cabin.

British Airways Offers Lavish Business Flights from New York to London

For business travelers jetting between New York and London on a regular basis, British Airways is giving you something new to consider: a more expensive all-business class flight.

These two significant international hubs see frequent business travel back and forth, so while the market for all-business class may be difficult in the economic climate, it’s one that may see great gain. The first flight from London City Airport takes off at 12:50 p.m. on Tuesday and lands in JFK International Airport.

The planes completely cater to the lavish feeling of business class. The Airbus A318 jetliners that used to hold 132 passengers have been remodeled so now 32 more spacious seats are able to spread fully flat, allowing a more comfortable sleep.

British Airways Allows Seat Selection 355 Days in Advance

Joining the ranks of other airlines that have both hiked fees and allowed their passengers to pick their seats, British Airways combines the two trends in its new move to appease passengers and make a little extra money.

Currently, passengers booking flights on British Airways are only able to choose their seats up to 24 hours before their flight takes off. As of Oct. 7, this rule will change, allowing travelers to choose their seats almost a year in advance. Up to 355 days before flying, passengers are able to select their seats for a fee.

Cheap Flights: British Airways' Fare Sale

There are airlines that put flights on sale regularly and those that don’t. British Airways is the latter, so when they have a fare sale, you know it’ll be good.

Right now, flights to Europe are as low as $190 each way (taxes not included) when you book with British Airways by Sept. 24. Travel is valid between Oct. 22 and March 28, 2010 and the lowest fares can be found Monday through Wednesday. Note: Black-out dates are Dec. 21, 22 and 23.

If you need to book a flight and hotel, you can do both during this sale. British Airways is also offering 3-night packages starting at $575 per person (taxes and fees are additional). Both 3- and 4-star hotels are included in the sale. Be sure to book the flight and hotel together, otherwise the total price will increase.

British Airways Reduces Free-Baggage Allowace for Economy Class

Not sure what to pack for your next trip across the pond? If you're flying British Airways you should focus on packing light -- the airline is reducing its free-baggage allowance for economy class.

If you're on British Airways flights to or from the Americas starting Oct. 7, you will only be allowed one free checked bag. Currently, World Traveller (economy) passengers are allowed two free checked bags. According to the announcement from British Airways, sports equipment such as skis and bicycles will be counted in the total.