BA joins forces with Cathay Pacific

British Airways will begin a new partnership with Cathay Pacific - the same day Qantas is due to begin its arrangement with Emirates.
 

BRITISH Airways is hitting back at Qantas after Australia's national airline ditched it for Emirates, signing a deal with Cathay Pacific to fly travellers between Australia and London via Hong Kong.

The UK carrier will begin a new partnership with the Asian airline on March 31 - the same day Qantas is due to begin its arrangement with Middle Eastern carrier Emirates.

Qantas CEO Alan Joyce announced the plan to end its longstanding partnership with British Airways last September, designating the end of the famous "Kangaroo Route'' to London via Singapore.

Its new partnership, which will see flights travel via Dubai instead, has been nicknamed the "Falcon Route'' after the national bird of the United Arab Emirates.

At the time Mr Joyce said the partnership was necessary to return Qantas International to profit.

The British Airways/Cathay Pacific, which is subject to regulatory approval, will mean British Airways customers travelling to and from Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Brisbane and Cairns can fly on Cathay Pacific services with a BA flight number when connecting onto one of British Airways's 14 weekly services between Hong Kong and London.

"Our new code share with Cathay Pacific will allow British Airways to serve all major Australian cities and provide customers with increased schedule options and flexibility,'' British Airways spokeswoman Nicole Backo said.

"Customers travelling via Hong Kong will arrive at London Heathrow's Terminal 5 and have access to British Airways' extensive European network, whilst providing a single itinerary and through-checked bags.''

The Cathay Pacific code share flights are an addition to British Airways' daily direct flights from London Heathrow to Sydney via Singapore.

Both airlines are members of the oneworld alliance.

Cathay Pacific sales and marketing director Rupert Hogg said Hong Kong was the perfect connection point for passengers flying between Sydney and London.

"Hong Kong is a familiar place for people of both countries and the award-winning airport here makes connecting very convenient,'' he said.

Cathay Pacific will continue to offer its own connecting services between Australia and London.

 
 

Qantas CEO Alan Joyce, right, and Emirates President Tim Clark announce their global aviation partnership. Australia's national carrier has ended its longstanding union with British Airways.

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