British Airways today announced the appointment of Simon Talling-Smith as executive vice president of the Americas, replacing Robin Hayes, who left the company to become JetBlue Airways' executive vice president and chief commercial officer.
Talling-Smith will start his new position next Monday, BA said. He has held several senior management commercial and operational roles since joining British Airways in 1991, most recently heading the carrier's cabin crew and catering services.
"With Simon's wealth of experience, he is the ideal candidate to take charge of our operation in our largest overseas market," BA commercial director Robert Boyle said in a statement.
Meanwhile, Talling-Smith's predecessor Hayes, who announced his move to JetBlue in May
(BTNonline, May 12), is expected to start his new position this month, JetBlue said.