Speaking at a travel promotion event in Dublin yesterday, sponsored by both airlines, Ian Bradley of American (pictured on right above) said he hoped more passengers would choose to fly with the airline to Chicago, and even onwards to other US destinations.
The flight to Chicago O'Hare departs Dublin at 10:00 and arrives at 12:20 - this is an 8.20 hour flight.
American Airlines has a fleet of nearly 900 aircraft and carried in excess of 106 million passengers last year. It has a network that serves 260 airports in more than 50 countries and employs around 88,000 worldwide.
Simon Daly, country manager for British Airways, said the theme of yesterday's event was 'America' and spoke of the importance of alliances and partnerships among airlines.
He added that BA had updated their passenger information systems in order to give a better service and that iPads are now an integral part of this strategy so cabin managers can see all the information available on passengers - their likes and dislikes including their favourite meals and where they like to sit.
He said the acquisition of BMI will see the BA livery soon returning to Dublin after an absence of 20 years and to Belfast after an absence of ten years. In 2011, over 300,000 passengers chose to transfer through BA's London hubs to and from Ireland.
The Summer Networking Event, held in The Westbury Hotel, was organised by TravelMedia.ie
