Air Berlin and Alitalia cozy up – more codeshares and frequent flyer programme linking

Air Berlin and Alitalia are further cozying up with news that the airlines are to codeshare on flights departing Dusseldorf, Berlin, Zurich and Vienna to Milan.

Alitalia Airbus A321 coming into London Heathrow – Image Economy Class and Beyond

Air Berlin Airbus A319 preparing to take off at Zurich – Image Economy Class and Beyond

More importantly, Air Berlin will route its flights into Milan to Milan-Linate (from Milan Malpensa) airport.  For those connecting onwards to Milan city centre, Linate is a much closer to the city centre (5 miles vs. 25 miles).

The changes will commence from the winter timetable – 26th October 2014.

Both Air Berlin and Alitala will codeshare the flights, offering a combined 412 flights between Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Milan-Linate. There will be additional codeshares on domestic flights in Germany (with the AZ code applied on Air Berlin flights, and the AB code applied on domestic and international routes operated by Alitalia).

However, there is an important footnote – and it’s that Air Berlin’s Topbonus and Altalia’s MilleMiglia frequent flyer programmes will be linked from 1st November 2014, allowing passengers to earn and redeem across both airlines entire networks.  Both will maintain their current allegiances (Air Berlin is a oneworld member, Alitalia is a SkyTeam member).

The one thing in common with both of them? That’s right – a portion of these airlines are held by Etihad. There are cost savings to be had operating to and from one hub (allowing sharing of facilities, check in functions, catering, etc). It also allows aircraft to be based nearer to bases – avoiding costs of overnighting crews and easier maintenance.

So, it’s a win-win here. And any cost saving either airline can make will be welcomed by its owners… as well as Etihad who have sunk a lot of cash into them.

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