Why would a BA passenger want to fly from LHR to DUB or SNN or ORK and then onto the US when they can go direct? Same goes for the French and German pax?
I do, and I know many others who do. I can fly on a cheap flight from my local airport (rarely with FR, more often with EI) and then I clear US formalities in the dead time when I would normally be wandering around duty free or sat in the lounge. At the other end, my record at ORD is chocks under to into a cab in 15 minutes.
Race you.
LH-C, I tend to agree with a lot of what you say (so they can flame me as well), but I think that the new CEO of EI deserves a chance. If anyone can make EI into something good, particularly as regards long haul, DM gets my vote. I don't think your boss would do well in that market somehow.