British Airways Announces New Flights to San Diego, California

CRAWLEY, England, Nov. 22, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- British Airways has announced that it will commence non-stop daily flights to San Diego from London Heathrow as a first benefit of the official launch of the new joint business agreement with American Airlines and Iberia. The new transatlantic service to London is scheduled to begin in June 2011 and will be operated with the carrier's popular three-class Boeing 777 aircraft.  

Kevin Burns, British Airways regional director, Western USA and Western Canada, said: "Inaugurating non-stop flights between San Diego and London is one of the first tangible benefits of the joint business operation with American Airlines, British Airways and Iberia, and we are pleased to be returning to this beautiful city."

Cathy Bradley Berg, American Airlines regional Vice president of passenger sales, Western Division said: "We've been waiting for 14 years to be able to bring these benefits to our customers, and it's great news that we can now put our plans into action starting in San Diego. Our partnership will further boost oneworld in what has been a momentous year for the alliance, and enable us to invest in new products and services while offering more choices for our customers."

City of San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders added: "The importance of this service cannot be overstated. It gives San Diego business and tourist travellers a direct connection to one of the world's most majestic and important cities. And, of course, Britons now have a direct connection to the sunny skies, sandy beaches and countless cultural attractions of our magnificent city."

British Airways will operate its new flights to San Diego daily. London arrivals and departures will be at Terminal 5 which was designed to handle up to 30 million customers a year and has already transformed the customer experience at Heathrow.  It offers customers a simple experience through online check-in and fast bag drop facilities, with the benefit of state-of-the-art security and baggage facilities. It boasts a multitude of shops and restaurants as well as a variety of lounges for British Airways premium passengers.

British Airways offer a great variety of hotels in San Diego suitable for all ranges of budgets and tastes. Customers can save by booking a flight and hotel package at the same time on ba.com plus benefit from a 24 hour in-resort support and expertly chosen hotels which adhere to stringent health and safety criteria. The trendy four-star Solamar is located within San Diego's lively Gaslamp Quarter. Try the three-star Handlery Hotel and Resort in the heart of Mission Valley. Or, relax at the four and a half-star Paradise Point Resort and Spa on the edge of Mission Bay.

Car rental in San Diego is offered with Avis and can be booked on ba.com, making it easy for customers to explore not just the city but also Southern California or allows a trip to Los Angeles, just 90 minutes away.

The airlines have also placed codeshares on a significant number of additional routes, greatly increasing the number of destination choices available to customers.  American will add its code to 322 British Airways and Iberia flights serving 101 destinations; British Airways will add its code to 2,063 American and Iberia flights serving 181 destinations; and Iberia will add its code to 354 American and British Airways flights serving 96 destinations. There will be further opportunities to increase codeshares in the future.

In total, customers will be able to travel more easily on the airlines' combined route network, which will serve more than 400 destinations in 105 countries with around 5,200 daily departures.

About British Airways:

British Airways plc offers a wide range of worldwide destinations - including California holidays, hotels in Los Angeles, flights, car rental and experiences. Customers can save time and money with ba.com when booking ATOL protected holiday packages, ATOL number is 5985. Passengers are offered added peace of mind to their holiday plans and the security of travelling with British Airways. British Airways plc constantly seeks to exceed customers' expectations, both in terms of the value for money and quality of the service provided.

SOURCE British Airways