The ink is definitely not dry on this latest airline link up between American Airlines, British Airways and Iberia, but in a letter to Executive Club members, British Airways stated, “… benefits for customers include greater opportunities to earn and use frequent flyer miles on the other airlines’ transatlantic network along with enhanced frequent flyer tier features.” And from American AAdvantage to members, “… you’ll have greater opportunities to earn and redeem your American Airlines AAdvantage miles on each airline’s transatlantic flights.”

There’s a way to go before any such partnership between the airlines could be approved (the airlines are hoping approval will come through by November), but it’s clear that the carriers are appealing to their frequent flyers to back their plan. Although the tie-in between the airlines is not a merger, and all would continue under their current branding, the new agreement would further strengthen the ties between the airlines. The three airlines’ combined flight networks would serve 443 destinations in 106 countries.