I've got two questions about slots.
I've noticed that flights BA510 - 524 even numbers only (LHR - MAD direction) are actually operated by IB aircraft. They flights operate with IB codes in the MAD - LHR direction. Is this anything to do with slots holdings by the IAG airlines?
I've also seen that AA have purchased a pair of LHR slots for $31m from Cyprus airlines. The actual number of flights operated by AA has reduced significantly since the tie up with BA (withdrawn from BOS, JFK down to 3x daily from a max of 6x daily, reduced frequencies on DFW route, etc). What has happened to the slots - are they leased to BA? Presumably there is some time of commercial agreement?
On another matter is it just me who finds it strange that AA is undertaking a large campaign to promote its up to 17 flights a day with their BA partner from the LON area to the NYC area when they actually operate, err, three of these a day with their own metal, or again is that part of the joint operating agreement?
1. All Madrid- Heathrow- Madrid IB/BA flights are dual coded (Plus LAN connections) and Iberia retain a number of slots in their own name.
2. BA/AA TALC joint venture operations has seen some cross transfers with AA terminating Boston on own metal , yet increasing Miami and Los Angeles. One AA slot pair is currently leased to BA whom are operating an additional daily JFK rotation whilst AA reconfigure a number of 77E frames this season. AA will recover this slot in 2015.
3. As part of the merger with US, AA have to release 2 slot pairs from LHR to allow competition the chance to apply for LHR-PHL routes.The slots come from the joint pool as far as i am aware.
4. All BA/AA and now US services from/to Heathrow - USA are part of the joint venture and are metal neutral.
Both AA and BA can and do market each others flights as if they were there own -rather more than a simple alliance codeshare this is a joint risk shared profit/loss operation and a very deep partnership.
5. The partnership also includes daily AA and US services to and from Manchester and JFK/ORD/PHL which are also marketed by BA.