British Airways and its oneworld partner, Iberia, are expanding their current codesharing arrangements in a move that will deliver significant benefits for international air travellers.

From the start of the winter schedule on 27 October, 2002, the Iberia code will be added to all British Airways flights from London, Heathrow to Madrid and Barcelona and the British Airways code will be added to Iberia flights on the same routes. This means there will be 11 flights a day from Heathrow to Madrid and eight daily flights to Barcelona.
Today’s announcement marks the first phase in the airlines’ wide ranging commercial agreement which was signed in July 2002 and aims to deepen the relationship between the two businesses1. The airlines began working together in 1999 and now codeshare on around 40 UK and internationals routes with sales representation for each other in 27 countries world-wide.

Michael Jackson, British Airways’ Head of Alliances and Franchises, said: ” This move marks a significant step forward in our relationship with Iberia and will deliver significant customer benefits through improved frequencies, more choice and greater value for our customers. It also reflects our commitment to finding new opportunities to work together in the interests of our customers and to strengthen our strategic global alliance, oneworld.”

Elvira Herrero, International Relations Director at Iberia, said: “This progress in our co-operation will bring our Madrid and London Heathrow hubs closer together, providing customers with much greater choice and improved travel options.”

In July 2002, the two airlines unveiled their new commercial agreement which will enable them to develop improved frequent flyer programmes and services, share airport facilities to improve transfer services at Madrid, Barcelona and London and undertake joint network planning and co-ordinate capacity and pricing.

In March 2000, British Airways completed its acquisition of a 9% stake in Iberia. The airline has two directors on Iberia’s board.

All British Airways flights to Madrid and Barcelona depart from Heathrow’s Terminal 1. All Iberia flights to Madrid and Barcelona depart from Heathrow’s Terminal 2.
Besides British Airways and Iberia, oneworld comprises American Airlines, Qantas, Cathay Pacific Airways, LanChile, Finnair and Aer Lingus. Together, they offer the most international network of any of the global airline alliances, serving more countries than any competitor, with flights to some 570 destinations in 135 countries. oneworld members are committed to working together to make global travel smoother, easier, better value and more rewarding than any individual airline can by itself, including opportunities to earn and redeem frequent flyer awards across the entire alliance network, and access to more than 350 lounges worldwide for the most frequent flyers.

——-