British Airways & Joint Partners Updates
Product Updates
Our latest product updates include a host of upgrades and innovations across British Airways’ onboard experience:
- Refreshed First Wing lounge at Heathrow
- A significant beverage upgrade for premium cabins focusing on world-class wines, and a spotlight on Portuguese wines from Alentejo.
- The Club Europe cabin receives a contemporary refresh, and innovative food concepts like the Ploughman’s Afternoon Tea and continental breakfasts for short-haul flights are launched.
- There’s an expanded range of drinks and snacks, with new English sparkling wines and Lyle’s Golden Syrup Flapjack making their debut.
- Onboard donations support charitable initiatives – From January to April 2026, will support Flying Start and from May to December donations return to the BA Better World Community Fund.
- Entertainment sees a transformation with a new supplier, Anuvu, offering more diverse content. The High Life Café menu is also updated, promising new choices for passengers.
Catering Enhancements
New IFE Anuvu
Customer Contact DetailsAs a reminder, IATA Resolution 830D requires agents to request and record customer contact details (email and/or phone) during the booking process, but no later than at the time of ticketing.
Customer’s contact information must be added to all PNRs, using one of the
keywords below:
- CTCE for email and/or
- CTCM for phone number
- CTCR for refusal.
From 01st March, non-compliance will lead to an ADM.
AJB Map Update
Our refreshed Atlantic Joint Business (AJB) Winter/Summer ’26 Route map is now live, capturing all transatlantic routes across British Airways and our partner airlines Aer Lingus, American Airlines, Iberia and Finnair.
The map can be viewed and downloaded here.
UK Entry Requirements for Dual British Passport Holders
From 25th February 2026, the UK is introducing updated entry requirements for dual British nationals as part of the roll-out of the UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system.
What this means
- Customers who hold British citizenship, including dual nationals, must enter the UK using a valid British passport.
- Customers travelling to the UK on a non-British passport alone may be denied boarding unless they can present approved documentation confirming their right of entry.
What agents should do
- Ensure that customers who hold British citizenship are advised to travel with a valid British passport when entering the UK.
- This requirement applies regardless of any second nationality held.
- As always, it remains the customer’s responsibility to ensure they have the right documents to be allowed to travel.
Additional Orlando Services
British Airways will operate three weekly additional services to Orlando from London Heathrow between 21st July until 29th August 2026.
These services will complement the year-round double daily services to Orlando from London Gatwick, giving customers more flexibility and more opportunities to experience the magic of Orlando.
IndiGo CodeShare Expansion
We have significantly expanded our codeshare agreement with IndiGo, offering enhanced connectivity across India. Customers flying from British Airways’ global network and London can now book seamless connections to 30 destinations across IndiGo’s extensive domestic network, all on a single ticket.
This expansion introduces access to new Indian markets previously unavailable under the BA code, such as Jaipur, Patna and Mangaluru, opening fresh opportunities for business and leisure travel. In total, 62 routes are now available via codeshare through our key Indian gateways: Mumbai, New Delhi, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Chennai.
Codeshare tickets are available to book now, with travel from 02nd February 2026.
Terminal Move Updates & Check-In Changes
From 24th February 2026, British Airways are moving from Los Angeles International LAX TBIT (Tom Bradley International Terminal) to Terminal 4 West (T4 West).
There are no changes to the lounge or the departure gates. T4 West is a short walk from the previous location and is shared only with our partners American Airlines and Japan Airlines
We are moving from Houston IAH Terminal D to Terminal E for customer check-in from 05th March 2026.
There are no changes to the lounge or the departure gates. Customers will continue to use the same lounge and depart from the same gates as today.
From 25th February 2026, British Airways-operated flights from Riyadh RUH will depart from Terminal 5 (previously from T3).
Last T3 departure is BA262 at 22:00Z on 24th Feb (Local 0100 on 25th Feb), with first T5 arrivals/departures BA259/BA258 at 0235Z/0435Z on 25th February
Heathrow Airport (HAL) are conducting essential works to the baggage system at Terminal 5, which aims to improve baggage resilience by reducing failures and speeding up repairs
From 23rd February, for a period of 12-18 months, the following change will come into effect at Heathrow Terminal 5 between Monday-Thursdays from 15:00 (during non-peak periods only).
Zone A (Club check-in) will close from 15:00 until the following morning on Monday-Thursdays only and relocate to Zone C during this time. Zone B Club and World Traveller Plus check-in remains unaffected throughout.
Zone E (Families and Additional Assistance) baggage belts will be unavailable from 15:00 on Monday-Thursdays only. Customer bags will be portered and inputted into the baggage system at alternative zones.
Partner news
IBERIA
Iberia have released their latest monthly newsletter for February. This month they are presenting a rapid increase in Latin America, with 3,354,159 seats available. Also announced was their new route to Fortaleza, as well as the Iberia Club Family account. Find out more below.
New Enhancements for 2026
Iberia have introduced many new enhancements for passengers, including a real-time updating boarding pass. Thanks to this enhancement, the boarding pass updates automatically in case of seat changes, gate changes, or cabin upgrades, among others. Customers also receive a push notification on their mobile device with the updated information, avoiding unnecessary movements.
A new conversational assistant in ChatGPT that helps customers plan their trips in an inspiring, agile, and personalized way; and Háblalo x Iberia, an app that improves the travel experience for people with communication difficulties.
Additionally, Iberia has been one of the first airlines to partner with Apple to integrate AirTag information into its operations, allowing customers to share the location of their luggage, thereby improving efficiency and the overall experience.
Iberia Transformation Programme
Iberia’s Transformation Programme is focused on building a financially robust and operationally excellent airline, anchored by a leading hub in Madrid and supported by a modern, expanded fleet. The programme combines strong punctuality performance—ranking as the third most punctual airline in Europe—with asset light growth through joint ventures and targeted expansion in core markets including the USA, LACAR and Europe. By 2030, Iberia plans to operate a 70 aircraft new generation fleet, alongside the full renovation of long haul cabins, the opening of the EMERALD Premium Lounge in T4, and the development of future handling, MRO capabilities, and a new corporate headquarters, reinforcing both customer experience and long term competitiveness.
99 Years Connecting People with the World
Iberia are celebrating 99 years of connecting people with the world. They are constantly upgrading their fleet with modern aircraft and elevating the customer experience with every detail. From high-speed Wi-Fi onboard, to reaching over 145 destinations across 49 countries, Iberia are leaders in connecting Europe with Latin America. Find out more in the video below.
American Airlines
What’s New with American
As the airline serving more U.S. airports than any other, American Airlines are expanding with 15 new routes in summer 2026. With new service to Lincoln, Nebraska (LNK) and other destinations, more travellers across the U.S. will be able to access a global network.
They are significantly expanding their presence at Chicago O’Hare International Airport ORD with 100 new daily departures starting this spring. This move reinforces Chicago as a key hub for the airline.
Elevating The Premium Experience
American are elevating their premium experience across hub airports in the US. Lounges are now industry leading and American have more premium lounges than any other US carrier.
There are also new partnerships both on the ground and in the air, with new amenity kits by Raven+Lily, Lavazza coffee in lounges and onboard and expanded Nest Bedding in Flagship Business.
New-delivery 789P and A321 XLR and retrofitted 777-300ER and 777-200ER will feature American’s new Flagship Suite® seats, enhanced features in Premium Economy, and a redesigned Main Cabin. Regional Jet cabin interiors are getting upgraded with new seats and trim and finish, high-speed satellite Wi-Fi, and more power outlets. Embraer aircraft will be fitted with larger overhead bins.
New APP and Online Updates
American have introduced tools that turn disruptions into real time decisions, with new American app and https://url.uk.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/IxOEC5L1NSZkMYGFwcYIkrXVs?domain=aa.com capabilities that empower travellers to manage unexpected flight changes with ease. New features on the app and online show travellers’ updates regarding cancellations, delays, and rebooking options.
Complimentary High-Speed Wi-Fi
Since January, American Airlines is offering complimentary high-speed Wi Fi for AAdvantage members, sponsored by AT&T. The service is rolling out now across the majority of the fleet, with near full coverage by early spring.
Finnair
New Connections for Next Winter
Last year, Finnair announced that it will start flights to Luxembourg, Valencia in Spain and Turin in Italy for summer 2026. These routes will now be extended and will operate year-round.
Luxembourg will increase from 3pw in the summer to 4pw services in the winter season. Turin will be 1pw throughout the winter season, 2pw during the peak winter sport season from Jan-Mar, and in summer, it will be 3pw. Valencia’s weekly flights will continue over the winter with 4pw frequencies.
The company will also start direct flights to Toronto in May and open a new route to Melbourne, Australia, in October.
