BA, AA and Iberia sign mega deal

BRITISH Airways, American Airlines and Iberia have signed a joint deal on flights between North America and Europe. The alliance, say the airlines, is a “significant step towards strengthening customer choice”. Customers will be able to travel more easily on the three airlines’ combined route network which will serve 443 destinations in 106 countries with more than 6 200 daily departures. While oneworld has welcomed the alliance, Virgin Atlantic's Richard Branson has warned that the deal would "severely damage competition on major transatlantic routes". The deal is subject to approval from the US Department of Transportation and EU authorities. How do you feel about this alliance? Do you agree with the oneworld's view supporting the alliance or is Virgin Atlantic's Branson right to voice concerns? What do you think will be the impact of such an alliance on fares and service? Send your views to nataliat@nowmedia.co.za or click on the reply to the editor button below. Natalia Thomson (nataliat@owmedia.co.za)