In his last speech as BA's chief executive, Sir Rod Eddington blasted the “state aid” America was giving to its leading carriers.
Speaking to the Aviation club in London, Sir Rod who leaves BA this week, said: “America, the land of the free, is turning into the land of the free ride.”
The country now had four of its five main airlines in Chapter 11 protection: United, US Airways, and from last week, Delta Air Lines and Northwest Airlines.
Sir Rod has often criticised state aid, not only for US carriers but also for those propped up in Europe by government funds.
He told the Aviation Club lunch: “In the last four years, the US airlines have soaked up $15bn to $20bn of public subsidies and loan guarantees.
“They're operating in protected markets, they're hoovering up public funds and still they can't make a profit.”
He said this was keeping the industry bloated when it needed fewer than the existing 300 airlines. “The international industry is structurally unsound. There are too many flag-carrying fleets making vanity flights around the world.”
He called for simplified rules on takeovers and “genuinely open skies” but which he said the US was stalling on.
* The shake-up at BA, as it welcomes Willie Walsh, its new ceo from next week, is continuing with the resignation of the chief financial officer, John Rishton who is leaving to take up a similar position with Ahold, the Dutch food retailer.
Mr Rishton will be succeeded by Keith Williams, currently group treasurer and head of taxation.
BA has also appointed a new direct or of safety and security, Tim Steeds, a senior pilot with the carriers for 31 years. Mr Steeds takes over from Geoff Want whose promotion to director of ground operations was announced earlier this month.