British Airways is making adjustments to its transatlantic network, including changes in aircraft and reductions in weekly flights. The airline will maintain 329 weekly flights from the UK to the US during the upcoming International Air Transport Association (IATA) summer season, which runs from March 30 to October 25. However, there will be a reduction of 2.5% in weekly seats and a 3.1% decrease in available seat kilometers (ASK) compared to last year.
The airline will increase frequencies to Washington Dulles International Airport and Austin-Bergstrom International Airport but has removed all daily flights from Heathrow to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport due to supply issues with Rolls-Royce’s Trent 1000 engine for its Boeing 787 aircraft. Additionally, there will be fewer weekly flights from Gatwick to Las Vegas Harry Reid International Airport and Orlando International Airport, as well as reduced services from Gatwick to New York John F. Kennedy International Airport and Tampa International Airport, and from Heathrow to San Francisco International Airport.
In June, British Airways will also introduce aircraft changes on several routes. For instance, it will use the Airbus A380 and Boeing 777-200ER for two daily flights from Heathrow to Boston Logan International Airport, while a third flight will be operated by either a Boeing 787-8 or a 787-9.
Further adjustments include replacing 12 weekly flights from London-Heathrow to New York-JFK with the Boeing 777-300ER with the smaller capacity Boeing 777-200ER. This change results in a reduction of 3.4% in both weekly seats and ASKs for June.
Looking ahead to the IATA winter season starting October 26, British Airways plans minor reductions in its US services with only two fewer weekly flights. Potential aircraft changes could lead to decreases of 3.2% in weekly seats and 2.9% in ASKs year-on-year.
