Above: a British Airways plane

By the Caribbean Journal staff

US Airways has announced the launch of a codeshare agreement with British Airways, its merger partner American Airlines announced Tuesday.

The codeshare will cover almost all of the two carriers’ transatlantic flights.

The remaining codeshare flights will be implemented in phases, the company said. That will include more than 70 destinations throughout Europe, Asia and the Middle East and almost 40 destinations in North America and the Caribbean.

The company said customers could expect to have access to all codeshare flights by the end of this summer.

“US Airways’ entry into the Atlantic Joint Business marked a crucial step in our overall integration process, and this codeshare agreement with our longtime partner British Airways is essential to the continued expansion of our combined networks,” said Kurt Stache, senior vice president for alliances and partnerships. “British Airways’ network out of London offers unparalleled access to key destinations in Europe, Asia and the Middle East, providing our customers another tangible benefit of both the joint business and our merger.”

Sean Doyle, executive vice president for the Americas at British Airways, said the move granted “even more flexibility and convenience when traveling between the United States and Europe,” said Sean Doyle, British Airways executive vice president – Americas. “This marks another key milestone in our joint business and with the addition of US Airways’ network, British Airways customers have greater opportunities to travel around the world.”

The move could help provide additional airlift to the Caribbean through US Airways’ hubs in the United States.

Codeshare booking will begin on May 14.