It has a low cost base and support from British Airways in key areas such as sales and marketing.

CNN: British Airways subsidiary launches transatlantic service

Union backing became the key underpinning for the US Airways merger effort, initially opposed by AMR management.

FORBES: How Labor Made US Airways, AMR Merger Happen

But the real key to the merger is US Airways' comprehensive service to small cities along the East Coast.

WSJ: Little overlap in American, US Airways routes

One key to the deal for US Airways was not to create a new company that was suffocated under a huge debt load.

FORBES: A Strange Tale: How Muni Bonds Will Become Shares Of The Largest Airline

Labor played a key role in enabling the historic merger between US Airways and American, which will create the largest airline in the world.

FORBES: How Labor Made US Airways, AMR Merger Happen

British Airways, American and Japan Air Lines are key partners in the Oneworld Alliance.

FORBES: Delta Seeks Virgin Share as Doorway to Heathrow

David Evans, British Airways' general manager UK business, said the changes would allow the airline to "concentrate efforts on key markets".

BBC: North east hit by flight cuts