International Airlines Group traffic increased by 6.6% in July over the same period last year.
The British Airways and Iberia parent reported that premium carryings were up by just 0.4% on falling capacity.
“Traffic in long-haul is still influenced by the group policy to improve unit revenues through yield, rather than load, as well as by the timing of Ramadan,” IAG said.
The group recently finalised a deal for Spanish budget carrier Vueling, which will see the airline’s shares delisted from Spanish stock exchanges.
BA has received the first of 12 Airbus A380s on firm orders, with a further two of the superjumbos to be delivered later this year plus five in 2014.
The aircraft will begin commercial long-haul flights to Los Angeles from September 24. The next two routes after Los Angeles will be Hong Kong in October and Johannesburg in February 2014.