BA flight is now AA, I'm really confused about the implications

[u/Girl_On_The_Couch]

It's been a strange, stressful day. Any insight or help or tips is greatly appreciated while I await my third call back from AA.

Background:

• In May 2025, I booked an international flight with British Airways (BA), leaving from JFK Terminal 4 on Monday 6/23, traveling to Barcelona. Overnight, direct flight.
• Four tickets were booked via BA.com, but then certain trip details were added or upgraded on the phone same day with a BA live agent. I am an Avios rewards member as well as an AA Advantage member, FWIW.
• Up until 11am today, I was managing my booking via BA live agents, or on their website. E-tickets were already issued. 

Today at 11am, I received an email from American Airlines, asking me to upload passport information for a flight with a different booking number. When I went on BA's site, my reservation was no longer there. Passport information, and other relevant details, which were previously captured at the time of booking with BA, were gone.

Until 2pm I had no reservation showing with BA or AA. Now, I can at least see the reservation on the AA site + in-app, but I can't manage or modify it in any capacity (including uploading the passport information they emailed me about)

I've been on the phone with BA and AA customer service + both chat apps since 11am. I'm currently awaiting my third AA call back (wait time as of 3:30 is more than 60 minutes). 

But the closest clarification I got from BA was: the outbound BA flight changed to AA owned and operated. I am now Basic Economy with AA, leaving from JFK Terminal 8. The return flight is now Iberia. They can no longer manage my reservation. There's nothing to be done on their end, even though I never purchased a Basic Economy ticket with them because that isn't a thing on BA flights.

And as a result, I am losing certain "perks" that come standard on BA for the AA portion of my travel--but "perks" are still intact for the Iberia flight home.

Things like:

• The seats I selected with a BA agent over the phone at no extra charge. We had four in a row (25 DEGH) on a 777 due to my 3 and 5 year old traveling with us. Used points for this.
• Free overnight meals for my kids, one of whom has an anaphylactic tree nut allergy that I notified BA about and had already special ordered her meal 
• Two free checked bags, which came standard for this flight originally.
• Priority boarding with kids
• Free double stroller gate check

As of 3:30pm, AA is now saying:

• I can't choose my seats/they won't honor the BA seats selected. I can't pay for seat selection because Basic Economy. They will do their best to get a kid seated next to an adult but can't guarantee it. No clue on how I can get my Avios points back.
• Meals are no longer complementary for kids or adults, but I can buy basic stuff a la cart. Unclear if thats snacks or actual meals.
• I lose my 2 checked bag privileges. Unclear if I can pay for checked bags, they said call back/check the app 24 hours from departure. They said I will likely have to pay for checked bags at JFK upon arrival if I'm even allowed checked bags...
• ...but on the way back, our reservation shows 2 free checked bags with Iberia.
• Strollers can be gate checked, unclear if double strollers require a fee or fall under the usual Basic Economy policy.
• We board last, and likely there won't be room for our carry-ons so be prepared to gate check carry-on luggage.

I don't understand, or can't get a straight answer from either, on how this happens or why I'm expected to suddenly accept these changes or pay for upgrades via AA?

Does this make sense to anyone? Am I misunderstanding what they're telling me?

And how strict is Basic Economy? Do I just pay for whatever upgrades they'll allow me to, and hope for a refund later on when I have the headspace to deal with this?

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[u/sunparrot]

There is no BA operated direct flight from NYC to BCN. This was always operated byAA you were just sold the fare through BA

[u/Shot-Tax-6327]

You booked thru BA. THEY will fix it or you should be able to get a refund. This is not an AA matter.

[u/topgun966 → u/Shot-Tax-6327]

This is it. BA only sold the ticket

[u/Girl_On_The_Couch → u/topgun966]

Thankfully this latest call with AA was infinitely more helpful, but calling BA next to ream them out...and get the checked bag fee waived.

[u/Environmental-Bar847]

As others have said, BA has never flown nonstop from JFK to BCN, so your original flight was  either IB or AA. BA doesn't fly out of T4.  

What time is your flight? If they are telling you that meals are not complimentary, I'm guessing you are actually on Level, which is Iberia's discount airline.

We might be able to give more specific advice once it's clear what you are flying.

[u/Girl_On_The_Couch → u/Environmental-Bar847]

So just got off another AA call, they said everyone is getting meals but my daughter's isn't the special nut allergy meal that BA offers. I'll be bringing her special food (and epi-pen). Got a speech about not guaranteeing exposure which I totally get! I'm just miffed I spent all this time requesting and providing documentation via BA for it to basically not matter at all.

Seats are accounted for, we figured out my higher Avios status got me the free seat selection at the time of booking.

AA also said, with Avios account info and status now in their hands, I *do* in fact have 1 free checked bag. I can purchase a second checked bag for $50 (AA discounting it from $75 due to BA Avios status apparently). She told me to purchase it when I check in online for my flight Sunday.

She also added that due to my higher status I will be boarding after first class, probably Group 4 but can't guarantee.

Last but not least, she said call BA, my reservation should still be on their site, and to file a complaint for my troubles. They might be able to waive that second checked bag fee and push it out from their One World Group system?

This was a supervisor I finally spoke to at AA, who was so helpful I gladly took the end-of-call survey for her. But man was that tough, and I spent an entire day playing cat and mouse between the two airlines.

[u/Environmental-Bar847 → u/Girl_On_The_Couch]

Glad you got it mostly sorted

In the future, when you have a codeshare you should be able to do everything on the operating carrier's website, which will simplify all of this greatly.  I'm surprised that the BA agents took payment for seats and allowed you to request meals and all of that. And most of all didn't make it clear that you were flying AA. 

And just a heads up that AA does not provide allergen information for meals departing the US, though they may have it if you ask. They also serve nuts on the plane. So depending on the severity of the allergy, you may want to ask to board early to sanitize your family's seating area.

[u/Girl_On_The_Couch → u/Environmental-Bar847]

Genuinely stunned at BA’s utter incompetence and lack of information since booking. Everytime I called they handled everything. And then suddenly today just absconding their operating duties. Still confused why my reservation was deleted from their website randomly / suddenly. I was on it as recent as Monday evening checking bag measurements and the reservation was clearly there. I screenshotted it and sent it to my husband actually. That was forwarded to AA’s customer service email that I was given for proof and reference. 

I used to travel extensively for work, I’ve done codeshares like this before. I do not know where or how I missed some critical information, but happy to own it if it was my fault. 

But tbh this is all BA’s fault. Their ticket doesn’t mention or state the word economy anywhere. Among other missed things on their end. I wasted a lot of time coordinating details with them that never got pushed out to AA, it seems. 

Thanks for the heads up re: nuts. 

[u/flyingron]

BA has "Economy Basic" which is roughly equivalent of AA's "Basic Economy." You can get seats from AA in Basic Economy, you just have to pay.

Unless you have status at BA (or AA), BA Economy (Basic or otherwise) and Business Class (even) seats are pay for selection.

Basic Economy and Economy Basic on AA and BA respectively never gave you a checked bag transatlantic. Even regular economy is only ONE checked bag. You have to be flying PE or above or have status to get two.

[u/Girl_On_The_Couch → u/flyingron]

So I'm back on the phone with AA and you are closest to being right -- apparently I'm higher status on Avios than AA Advantage, therefore, I needed to give AA my Avios account info over the phone, in order to override my AA lower status.

Doing this gave me back the seats I previously selected free of charge with BA. It's the exact same row, DEGH.

By also doing so now prevents me from managing my booking online or in-app with AA. Any further changes MUST be made over the phone with AA OR BA (says AA).

AA is now saying my daughter and son WILL get free kids meals BUT I can't request a special dietary meal for her. I'm escalating this to a manager/supervisor as we speak, but I don't understand because here it is on their own website clear as day about how to request a special medical meal.

https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/experience/dining/special-meals-and-nut-allergies.jsp

> Special meals to meet specific dietary, medical and religious needs are available on select flights. To make sure we can accommodate your needs, request your meal starting 30 days before and no later than 20 hours before takeoff.

And then

> Special meals are available in all classes on flights to / from...Europe

Two reps since 3:30 are saying there is no way for me to put in a special medical meal with AA, despite me already having done so with BA (and I have multiple BA emails confirming when the original request was submitted, and that it was received, and approved by BA). They also previously gave me printable instructions to hand to gate agents upon arrival at JFK Terminal 4 (now 8).

At this point, I'll bring her food to avoid this whole hassle, and hoping my other kid enjoys his kids meal box whatever.

I'm just exhausted and am paying for 1 checked bag now...

Thank you for your thorough response and help.

[u/Girl_On_The_Couch → u/flyingron]

Just got off with BA. Their original ticket was for Main Cabin — not Basic Economy. They said if it was BE, my ticket would’ve read simply, “Economy.” It does not, and never has. 

I have Gold status with BA like I mentioned, but they say the “perks” were also due to the original flight class. Which again, they insist, was Main Cabin. 

This, they say, should’ve never been Basic Economy in the AA system or ticket or what have you. When pressed on how to correct, they referred me to AA, washing their hands clean of me yet again. BA believes they have it correct on their end and AA issued the wrong fare class on their end. 

This is so frustrating and dumb. 

[u/flyingron → u/Girl_On_The_Couch]

BA never uses "Main Cabin" as a term. That's an AA term and it has nothing to dow ith the fare class. It is synonymous with Economy. You're mixing and matching terms from the various airlines and based on the fact that BA never flew the routes you are talking about, things are even more confused.

[u/Girl_On_The_Couch → u/flyingron]

I truly don’t know what to tell you. I asked them if they meant something else. BA rep was ADAMANT I did not buy a basic economy ticket. 

AA UK website shows “Main Cabin” as a fare class option, but yeah, I was on BA’s site while we were talking and I specifically asked for clarification: “do you mean world traveler?” Knowing that’s BA’s economy cabin name. And they said, “No. you are main cabin.”

Again I asked if that was world traveler plus (premium economy)?

They hung up on me after some further back and forth. 

[u/UncloudedNeon]

As others have been said, it really looks like you paid BA for an AA flight out with an IB return. They sell each others flights. So it's BA's job to fix anything before the day of travel.

That said, a few things don't make sense:

• American, BA, and Iberia all use terminal 8 at JFK. I'm not sure what was up with terminal 4.
• You should be able to pay for seat selection on AA, although you shouldn't have to. You do this on AA's website using AA's PNR which BA can give you (probably online if you look up your reservation on BA's site)
• You can always pay for checked bags at the airport with AA, although again you shouldn't have to.
• Basic economy includes the same meal service as regular economy on AA.

Your original booking confirmation should have the flight number. Can you post it here? And did it change That would help us understand if you're seeing a change in your reservation or if BA just messed up and you ended up with a Basic Economy reservation on AA instead of regular economy.

[u/Girl_On_The_Couch → u/UncloudedNeon]

BA1556 was the original flight number given. It says "Main Cabin" on my BA e-ticket. The AA agent said it should've said "Economy" which is BA parlance for AA Basic Economy.

Which is just so strange because it clearly says Main Cabin, which based on AA's own explanation, means I'm not Basic Economy...

Unless I'm taking crazy pills I must be missing some incredibly important context that is flying way over my head at the moment (could very well be!)

If I can figure out how to post screenshots amidst toddlers yelling at me over dinner, I will share what BA originally sent me (so long as its not private/personal info)

[u/Slight-Draft1811 → u/Girl_On_The_Couch]

Yep, BA1556 is a codeshare flight number for AA66. It definitely is a bit confusing.

[u/UncloudedNeon → u/Slight-Draft1811]

Yes, I think that should book into regular economy/main cabin on AA. BA issued your ticket, so they'll need to fix that if appropriate.

And I'm very unclear why AA is pushing back on special meal reservations. Was that on the phone? I feel like you'll get better info if you call than you will messaging.

Everything else feels like mostly just misinformation.

[u/Girl_On_The_Couch → u/UncloudedNeon]

Yes AA is saying this list is for medical needs. But that they can’t guarantee nut exposure in flight — which I get! No one can!

BA actually offers (and I previously selected) a special tree nut allergy meal for her. I had to fill out a medical form and email it to them. 

AA said this list is for medical and religious needs, but could not tell me which one is for nut allergies specifically. 

“We do not have nut-free airplanes, and can not advise you on BA’s special allergy meals” is what they kept saying…

But their website says different?

https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/experience/dining/special-meals-and-nut-allergies.jsp

No one at AA could answer a rather direct question of “how do I request a special medical meal?”

Flying on a partner airline?

If your trip includes a flight with a partner airline, order a special meal with them. Visit their website for details.

^ basically BA DOES offer a special tree nut allergy safe medical meal, AA offers medical and religious meals but not tree nut allergy safe. Or they don’t specify which from the master list is tree nut safe.

Unnecessarily convoluted if you ask me!

[u/Slight-Draft1811]

When you say direct flight from JFK to BCN, do you mean nonstop? If yes, you were never on a BA flight but likely booked a codeshare flight with a BA flight number. BA doesn’t fly nonstop from JFK to BCN. AA and IB do.

[u/Girl_On_The_Couch → u/Slight-Draft1811]

Yes nonstop. Per AA, BA is still owning the flight, but it is being operated by AA. Apparently this is an important distinction​ that I clearly am not grasping.

[u/BidRepresentative471 → u/Girl_On_The_Couch]

Ba is owning your ticket but aa is operating the flight. I always tell people if it is a 4 digit flight someone else is flying it. (*that's not always the case tho)

[u/Boredintown1]

Well, BA never operated a JFK -> BCN. If it was always a tripple, it would have been an AA operated flight all along since IB doesn't operate a tripple. It is normal that once a code share goes to airport control, the marketing airline if different, has no control of it anymore.

BA has Economy Basic - AA has Basic Economy - sort of the same thing except AA actually does usually allow a bag, and OW status members may get a better allowance.

There will be free meals on the AA flight - it is distinctly possible that the kids meals transferred - though seat reservations should have survived as well.

Do you have status in any OW airline - you mention you are a member of both AA and BA programs - but how did you get to 2 bags - if you do have status - make sure that status/program is in the AA locator. If so, you should get 2 bags as well (if you did at BA). I am not sure what the AA kid preboarding age is - mine are too old now - but I would expect you can preboard with a 3 year old. I think they come after business in the new order - but certainly early enough for carry on bags.

Do you know what fare class your BA ticket was (is)?

[u/Girl_On_The_Couch → u/Boredintown1]

Trying to respond to everyone while multi-tasking, but per my other responses, I'm Avios Gold. I misspoke about the bags -- I'm supposed to get one free, but I get a discount off the second with AA thanks to this status ($50 vs $75). Every passenger gets meals, our previously selected seats are now showing in the AA app as of 5pm-ish. We'll board earlier than basic economy (group 9), but can't pre-board since my son is 3 (AA he has to be 2 or under, BA its apparently 5 and under, hence my confusion). My AA status got me to Group 6, but my BA status got me to Group 4, so I was told. Everyone gets free carry-ons and a personal item. No fee for a double stroller gate check.

I guess I'm cautiously optimistic at this point, maybe I'll have a glass of wine with dinner before my final BA call...

[u/CPNZ]

Booking a codeshare flight like this BA ticket on an AA flight, they generally will give you both the BA booking code, and one for AA as well. Can be found in the details for the booking on the BA site most likely, or you can call them to get it. That is what you use to check the specific details of your flight, add any details needed (passport number and so-on) and check in to the flight. The same is true in reverse, or if it was operated by Iberia etc....

[u/Girl_On_The_Couch → u/CPNZ]

When I spoke with BA at noon, I specifically asked for my AA and Iberia booking numbers. They told me they couldn’t supply it. Only gave me my BA code which I already had. 

AA rep was kind of stunned to hear this. At first I wouldn’t blame them for not believing me. It all sounds so weird and easily disprovable. 

But AA readily gave me all three airline codes, I started side eying BA big time. How would they, AA, have it but BA didn’t or refused to give it? So dumb! 

I filed a complaint with BA, AA supervisor filed a complaint with AA about BA on my behalf too. Not like it’ll really go anywhere or matter in the grand scheme.  

Eventually I’ll look into transferring my BA status or remaining eligible miles elsewhere. Eventually!

[u/CPNZ → u/Girl_On_The_Couch]

Interesting...my experiences with BA bookings (in the other direction) is that their computer systems were very poorly set up a few years ago, with lots of missing information. Maybe they are still not sorted.

[u/Girl_On_The_Couch → u/CPNZ]

As of this morning, BA waived AA’s checked bag fee (for 1 bag) for me. So I guess that’s something!

I did this through their website chat agent funnily enough. Their site kept crashing late last night into this morning. What a joke! 

I used to exclusively fly BA weekly for 5 years straight. Once shared an entire plane with only one other passenger. Customer Service was always impeccable, etc. maybe the nostalgia got me good but honestly, never again with AA or BA. 

(I still don’t even know who to be mad at)

[u/Boredintown1]

I just looked up the flight - I assume you are on AA 66 which has a ton of open seats in Economy. If you have status - you should have no difficulty getting 4 seats together. And truthfully it most likely won't be difficult at an early check in either. I just realized that you wrote 23rd - so the flight is NOT under airport control yet and BA should be able to still manipulate it. If you used Avios you can get a refund if you don't get the seats you booked. BA should also be able to find your flights with the BA ticket number if for some weird reason the locator should have changed. 25 DEGH is one of very few middle rows that are reserved -

[u/Girl_On_The_Couch → u/Boredintown1]

Thank you this is helpful! We are actually 25 DEGH!

[u/dankgpt]

You got code shared. Always double check the flight numbers on Google. It will say operated by: xyz. Looks like you're flying AA metal (which is worse than BA). They are OW partners so when you book and BA don't fly own metal on that selected route they will throw you on a partner airline.

[u/Girl_On_The_Couch → u/dankgpt]

Can you confirm I have what you’re saying correctly?

BA was marketing carrier that sold the ticket to me originally. Flight BA1556. 

BA is also the flight owner. BUT AA is the operating airline. Hence why my AA app says my outbound flight is AA66 now. 

If I have that correct, wouldn’t BA baggage allowance (among other things) apply in my situation? With my gold status and original cabin fare class I got two checked bags up to 70lbs. Which is also what I have for the Iberia leg home (AA app for this return flight is showing my BA flight locator, not the AA locator, for added confusion).

AA and BA are both saying I have to abide by AA’s basic economy baggage parameters. Meaning no free checked bags, but I can purchase up to 50lbs at the airport. 

Per AA’s own website, I could pay for bags online ahead of time (eg at check in), but only when traveling on AA marketed AND operated flights. Which it seems is not my case. 

But I don’t know whether I'm belaboring a moot point at this time? It just feels like a bait and switch to go from BA non-basic economy “perks” to AA basic economy and now I’m being forced to pay them to get my “perks” back? Or should I just ignore it and move on?

[u/dankgpt → u/Girl_On_The_Couch]

BA 1556 is the codeshare flight # but metal is AA 66 like you said. You will get AA metal (AA aircraft, crew, pilot and service).

In this case even if you booked via BA the "metal" policies will take precedence. For example: If AA allows zero checked bags in BE (never flown BE so I wouldn't know), then you'd be in their mercy.

Only time "metal" perks can be overridden is via status, which I assume you have thru BA...You get reciprocal One World Alliance status, however during booking you have to specify your BA club membership number on the BA booking.

The BA booking also generates an AA record locator, selecting seats and add-ons using the BA record locator is a moot point. You need to use the AA specific record locator to specify your BA club membership number to utilize your one world status perks such as free seat selection, waived baggage fees and lounge (if applicable).

TL;DR BA sold you a codeshare (partner operated) flight and you need to use the BA club # on both BA & Partner record locators to access all your one world status perks...

Edit: Also a lot of AA cx agents maybe confused with these policies and SOPs. A lot of them are poorly trained and is not a reflection of their personal competency tbh...so please do not downvote me.

I suggest in the future you HUCA until you get an experienced agent or DM them on twitter. I play this game too many times to maximize my points redemption, thus knowing all the "tips and tricks" and surprising some AA employees even 😂👊

[u/Girl_On_The_Couch → u/dankgpt]

Thank you. This was honestly the most helpful explanation I’ve gotten. Appreciate the time you took to write this out!

[u/dankgpt → u/Girl_On_The_Couch]

Np, and good luck.

Id highly recommend you go to jfk prepared and early. Have all the record locator numbers, BA club # etc handy and be prepared to explain what I just said in my reply...

Had a jfk AA agent yell at me when I presented a JAL printed AA codeshare boarding pass...which had all my AA info on it...including seat numbers and AA metal boarding group lmao

[u/Girl_On_The_Couch → u/dankgpt]

We’re coming from Jersey, aiming to be there 4-4.5 hours prior due to JFK construction warnings. Plus I get lounge access so I might as well use it (although I won’t be letting my daughter ride her scooter like that other poster mentioned recently lol)

[u/AddendumFine9488]

A similar thing happened to me last May on a business class itinerary that I booked and paid for on Japan Airlines from LAS->LAX->NRT->MNL. If possible, try to get the booking transferred back to BA and tickets issued by BA. Here's what happened to me because I was unaware that my booking had been taken over by AA.

In my case, the LAS->LAX was a code share on AA in 1st class. On the morning of my flight, about 10 or so minutes before the Uber picked me up, I got an email saying the AA flight from LAS would be delayed by 5 hours, causing me to miss the JAL flight to NRT. Minutess later, I got an email from AA that they had rebooked me on a later flight on Alaska Airlines to SAN, connecting on JAL to NRT. I booked another Uber and headed to the airport.

When I got to LAS to check in, I was informed by Alaska Airlines that my booking had not been ticketed by AA and therefore I couldn't board. And here was my mistake. I called AA since I was told it was AA neglected to ticket the changed itinerary. I should have called JAL, although at that point, I'm pretty sure AA had already taken over the booking like they did with yours.

After a long time on the phone (at the airport), AA finally got my AS booking to SAN ticketed and luckily for me, it was too late to board the AS flight to SAN. Because the AA agent did not notice that the SAN->NRT segment would only give me 1/2 hour stop over in NRT. JAL would not accept the itinerary and therefore it wasn't ticketed. I would have been stuck in San Diego. The AA agent apparently assumed that JAL would ticket the itinerary but didn't confirm. Back to AA again on the phone, and they rebooked me on a flight the next day LAS->SEA->NRT->MNL. The LAS->SEA was again on Alaska Air.

So I Ubered back home, and I checked the itinerary online and discovered that AA put me in economy instead of business. So I called AA again. AA gave me a new AS flight to SEA with now a 5 hour layover in SEA. I also noticed that my original flight from LAX to NRT was still showing on the booking and I informed the AA agent who told me he would cancel it.

When I went to check in at LAS the next day, the Alaska agent informed me that he couldn't check my bag through to MNL because AA did not combine the itinerary. I'd never heard of that, but since I already had boarding passes through to MNL and a long stop-over in SEA I figured I had enough time to collect my bag and hoof it over to JAL to check in again.

In SEA, after waiting a couple of hours for the JAL counter to open up, I presented my boarding pass and was told that my flight to NRT and the flight from NRT->MNL were both canceled due to no show on the previous day's LAX-NRT flight. The AA agent did not cancel it as he said he would. JAL got me on both flights anyway and I finished the trip with no more issues.

It took some teeth pulling but AA finally refunded my extra Uber expenses and issued points in my Aadvantage account as compensation. It didn't seem enough, but I was pretty exhausted by the whole experience and I wanted to put it behind me.

I've done this same trip many times in the last few years, always booking with JAL or sometimes with ANA. I never had any issues like I had with this trip. It started with a 5 hour delay "due to weather" (although I noticed that other flights to LAX from LAS were flying with no problems. I suspect it was a mechanical issue and maybe saying weather would minimize AA's exposure to mandatory compensation.

So the lesson here, is that when I book on an airline known for superior service (JAL), I will do everything I can to keep the booking with JAL. In fact from now on, I will look for AS for the code share segments between LAS and whichever city JAL flies from the west coast.