Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates and American Airlines have announced details of a proposed new codeshare agreement which, if it receives regulatory approval from the US government, will pave the way for closer commercial cooperation between the two airlines.
The codeshare agreement will extend further the two airlines’ global networks by providing easy access between Abu Dhabi and key cities in the United States including Washington, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Houston which have previously been unavailable to Etihad customers.
Etihad Airways will place its ‘EY’ code on a number of transatlantic services operated by the US carrier between Europe and the United States, 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 Airways between Abu Dhabi and New York (JFK), Chicago (ORD), Paris (CDG), Dublin, Frankfurt, Manchester and Milan (MXP).
James Hogan, Etihad Airways’ Chief Executive, 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.”
Gerard Arpey, Chairman and CEO of American Airlines, said: “We’re very pleased to be working with Etihad who in a relatively short period of time have established themselves as one of the world’s leading airlines and a major force in the Middle East.
“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.”
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 its new service to Chicago at the beginning of September, 2009.
Once the codeshare agreement is in place, customers 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 Airways currently flies to two destinations in North America: New York (JFK) and Toronto in Canada. The airline will begin flights to Chicago from Wednesday 2 September, 2009. The route will be served initially three times a week and will increase to daily flights from Thursday 1 October, 2009.
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.
