Major new transatlantic codeshare unveiled
Wednesday, 09 Jul, 2009
0
United Arab Emirates carrier Etihad Airways and American Airlines plan closer co-operation initially through a codeshare.
If the codeshare agreement receives regulatory approval from the US government, the agreement will pave the way for closer commercial ties between the two airlines.
The codeshare will extend further the two airlines’ global networks by providing easy access between Abu Dhabi and key cities in the US including Washington, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Houston which have previously been unavailable to Etihad passengers.
Etihad Airways will place its ‘EY’ code on a number of transatlantic services operated by the US carrier between Europe and the US, as well as selected domestic services operated by American Airlines beyond New York and Chicago.
In turn American Airlines will place its own ‘AA’ code on services operated by Etihad between Abu Dhabi and New York (JFK), Chicago (ORD), Paris (CDG), Dublin, Frankfurt, Manchester and Milan (MXP).
The American Airlines domestic routes within the US covered by the new codeshare arrangement will initially include flights between New York (JFK) and Washington, Los Angeles and San Francisco as well as flights between Chicago and Washington, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Houston.
The transatlantic services include American Airlines flights between: Paris (CDG) and Boston, Chicago, Miami; Dublin and Chicago; Frankfurt and Dallas/Fort Worth; Manchester and Chicago; and Milan and New York (JFK).
Subject to gaining US government regulatory approval, the new codeshare agreement is expected to come into effect to coincide with the launch by Etihad of flights to Chicago in September.
Once the codeshare agreement is in place, travellers transferring between the two carriers will be able to purchase a single ticket for their journey and enjoy the convenience of being able to check in their luggage to their ultimate destination.
Etihad currently flies to two destinations in North America: New York (JFK) and Toronto. The airline will begin flights to Chicago from September 2. The route will be served initially three times a week and will increase to daily flights from October 1.
Etihad chief executive James Hogan said: “The United States represents a key market for Etihad and one in which we are keen to grow further, both through the addition of new routes of our own, such as Chicago, and through close cooperation with other well-established airlines such as American Airlines.
“American Airlines is one of world’s largest and most respected airlines, and we see this codeshare agreement very much as the start of a deepening strategic relationship which both airlines are committed to developing further in the future.”
American’s chairman and CEO Gerard Arpey said: “Our new codeshare agreement will give customers of Etihad and American Airlines increased choice, convenience and flexibility in their travels between the Americas, the Middle East and beyond.”
American Airlines currently flies transatlantic services from New York to Barcelona, Brussels, Milan, London, Paris, Rome and Zurich; Chicago to Brussels, Dublin, Frankfurt, London, Manchester, Moscow, New Delhi, Paris and Rome; Miami to London, Madrid and Paris; Dallas/Fort Worth to London, Madrid, Paris and Frankfurt; Los Angeles to London; and Raleigh/Durham to London.
by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Clearing CSS/JS assets' cache... Please wait until this notice disappears...
Updating... Please wait...
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps