British Airways is the top foreign carrier for long-haul flights to the United States, according to data from the US Department of Transportation. In the 12-month period leading up to February 2025, the one world member transported 7. 7 million passengers, marking a 4% increase from the previous year and reaching its highest traffic volume to date.
The airline holds a significant share of the market, transporting about one in 10 passengers between Europe and the US. Only Delta, United, and American Airlines carried more passengers on these routes, with BA surpassing Lufthansa, the second-largest long-haul operator in the US, by 2. 4 million passengers. BA’s recent network expansion includes the addition of Cincinnati in 2023 and the discontinuation of flights to San Jose in the same year. While flights to Dallas/Fort Worth are currently suspended, they are set to resume this winter.
Record High Traffic for BA in the US
According to the latest data available from the US DOT, 7. 7 million passengers flew with BA between March 2024 and February 2025. The majority of these passengers, approximately seven million, flew to or from London Heathrow, while the remaining passengers flew through London Gatwick.
This increase in traffic also resulted in a record-high seat load factor of 86. 1%, with only a 1% increase in capacity. This suggests that BA was able to command higher fares and yields, although these may decrease in the upcoming summer season due to lower overall demand and excess capacity.
BA’s traffic growth has been relatively modest, which can be attributed in part to the scarcity of slots at London Heathrow. However, this works in the airline’s favor as it allows them to maintain higher yields and keep competitors at bay. This is especially true for their one world partner and transatlantic joint venture partner, American Airlines, whose primary airport for long-haul flights is also Heathrow, rather than any of their US hubs.
BA’s Top Five Most Popular US Routes
Photo: Lukas Wunderlich | Shutterstock
Out of the 28 US routes operated by BA, 24 are from London Heathrow and four from London Gatwick. The top five routes, based on traffic volume, are listed below. As expected, BA is the market leader on all five routes, capturing between 35. 4% and 46. 3% of the traffic. The most popular route is Heathrow-New York JFK, with 1. 2 million passengers and a 37. 5% market share. It is also worth noting that an estimated 460,000 passengers connected to another flight at Heathrow, making it the top transit destination for the airline. Other popular destinations include Mumbai, Edinburgh, Berlin, Glasgow, and Rome.
Route
Seat load factor*
Market leader?
#1 transit destination
1.
Heathrow-New York JFK
89.
Yes (37.