Originally Posted by alex0683de
The reason is the Bermuda II agreement which regulates air traffic between the US and the UK. Do a search for Bermuda II and you'll get the full background.
You'll see that a fair share of the blame also goes to the two US carriers allowed to access LHR (AA and UA).
Wow, that agreement is pretty terrible (such is the case with much of US-based airline operations during the regulated era). I wish the WTO would step in and encourage the US and other countries to further deregulate their airline industries. There is no economic reason why LH should not be able to purchase UA, or AF purchase DL, or any other competitive scenario.