BRITISH Airways has signed a deal with giant US carrier American Airlines (AA) that, if approved, will create a huge transatlantic multi-route, multi-plane business.

BA said the joint business agreement, which also involves its Spanish airline partner Iberia, was good for passengers and good for the aviation industry.

But Virgin Atlantic Airways head Sir Richard Branson, pictured, described the deal as a "monster monopoly" that would be bad for everyone.

The deal, which will involve a combined route network serving 443 destinations in 106 countries with 6,200 daily departures, still needs regulatory approval from American and European authorities.

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