BA is to launch transatlantic services from "key continental European cities" in summer 2008.
The move comes after the successful signing of the Open Skies deal between the US and the EU which liberalises transatlantic air traffic.
Wiilie Walsh, the UK carrier's ceo, said the Open skies deal had given BA "some new and exciting opportunities."
He added: "We have filed an application with the US DoT for permission to operate services between any point in the US and any point in the EU to enable us to grow the most profitable part of our business."
While full details of the new flights have not been announced, it is understood the continental cities will include Paris, Frankfurt, Brussels and perhaps Zurich while American destinations are likely to be mainly New York and perhaps Chicago.
The planes to be used are also likely to be 757s and 767s rather than the larger 747s and 777s used on its long haul flights out of Heathrow.
A spokesman for the airline said that no decision had yet been made on the amount of premium class seats that will be provided on the aircraft, although the indications are that it will be substantial.
The BA move puts it into direct competition with European rivals Air France and Lufthansa at their main hubs at, respectively, Charles de Gaulle and Frankfurt.
It will also be seen as a challenge to US carriers, like Delta Air Lines, which operate transatlantic flights to several European cities.
It also possibly pitches the airline the successful all-business class transatlantic operations run by Eos Airlines and MAXjet out of Stansted, Silverjet out of Luton, Lufthansa out of Dusseldorf and Munich and L'Avion out of Paris.
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