Oneworld members hope to implement a joint frequent-flyer programme if they secure anti-trust approval for their transatlantic tie-up.
Speaking at a oneworld briefing, British Airways chief executive Willie Walsh said the carriers had problems explaining to customers their current inability to integrate their respective schemes.
"They don't understand why we can't share all the benefits [of frequent-flyer programmes]," he says, adding that a joint scheme was one of the aspects which the members "hope to implement quickly".
American Airlines chief Gerard Arpey added that anti-trust approval would remove the problems of the carriers' having to "design their own schedule" rather than co-operate on transatlantic routes.
He says the US carrier would be able to integrate its operations more closely with its European partners, and enable them to "customise [services] across the Atlantic".
BA stated last month that oneworld's share of US capacity from London Heathrow had declined from 61% to 58% since the landmark US-European 'open skies' agreement.
Source: Flight Daily News
