American Airlines is integrating several corporate sales
functions across its transatlantic alliance partners. That includes expanding
corporate recognition benefits and adding joint business sales support.
Corporate travelers on British Airways, Finnair and Iberia
now have recognition benefits, including preferred seating and reaccommodation
priority during irregular operations. The carriers each plan to add additional
benefits by early next year, according to American. Corporate recognition on
American flights also includes use of American's Priority Access lines at
airports and earlier boarding. American also offers discounts on its leisure
packages to its corporate travelers.
American also is working to make access to preferred seating
easier for corporate travelers. Currently, the seating is available through
American's Seat Select site. Later this year, they will be available directly
through American's website and mobile app, according to the carrier.
This fall, American will merge waiver service for itself,
British Airways, Finnair and Iberia under a single phone number for North
American travel professionals. Doing so will enable requests to be processed
faster while "increasing alignment and flexibility," according to
American. American SVP of global sales Alison Taylor said the consolidated line
was "a pilot for much larger things to come."
That plan comes as American intends to increase its sales
staffing levels by 50 percent. The new staff, which Taylor said should be in
place by September, will support American's 24/7 phone line for corporate
customers and agencies, increasing support during both peak and off-peak hours
and giving American more staffing resources during irregular operations. The
team also will include more native Spanish speakers and will increase support
resources for American's AirPass VIP program and Business Extra rewards
program.