New deal for airlines will benefit passengers

British Airways has signed a deal with fellow flag carrying airlines American Airlines and Iberia over a deal on flights between North America and Europe, the carrier has announced.

This joint business agreement will provide passengers with "easy, seamless and convenient" connections to a wide range of global flight destinations, the operators claimed.

British Airways chief executive Willie Walsh said: "This strategic relationship strengthens competition by providing consumers with easier journeys to more destinations with better aligned schedules and frequencies."

Rival airline Virgin Atlantic is against the deal, as it believes the agreement would hinder competition over transatlantic flights, creating a "monster monopoly" that would drive up ticket prices.

Airline president Richard Branson said: "It will…be bad for passengers, bad for competition and bad for the UK and US aviation industry."

The partnership will see the airlines cooperate commercially on flights between the United States, Mexico and Canada, and also in the European Union, Switzerland and Norway.