Whilst the ding-dong fight between the Middle East Three (Emirates, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways) versus the US3 (American, Delta and United) continues – it’s business as usual between American Airlines and Etihad Airways, who have announced more codeshare flights.
American Airlines Boeing 737-800 at Las Vegas – Image, Economy Class and Beyond
Etihad Airways Boeing 777 at London Heathrow – Image, Economy Class and Beyond
American Airlines will place its code on two Etihad services (Abu Dhabi to Dallas Fort-Worth, Abu Dhabi to San Francisco). These codeshare flights will commence from the 30th April.
Meanwhile Etihad Airways will place its code on flights from Dallas Fort-Worth to Albuquerque, Jacksonville, Kansas City, Memphis, Nashville, New Orleans, Sacramento, San Diego and San Jose. The codesharing will commence from the 29th April on some routes, with extra flights to follow according to airlineroute.
Codeshares provide a useful tool for passengers to flow from one flight to another, with schedules timed to meet services. For airlines, codeshare flights allow extra routes and network reach to be created without having to dedicate a plane for the route.
Whilst the parties continue to fight about who subsidies what in the airline industry – business continues.
Or never let a good argument get in the way of business.
It seems American Airlines and Etihad are getting on with the business of improving the passenger experience and connectivity passengers demand – and that’s no bad thing.
Welcome to Economy Class and Beyond – Your no-nonsense guide to network news, honest reviews, with in-depth coverage, unique research as well as the humour and madness as I only know how to deliver.
Follow me on Twitter at @EconomyBeyond for the latest updates!
Also remember that as well as being part of BoardingArea, we’re also part of BoardingArea.eu, delivering frequent flyer news, miles and points to European readers
Does this mean you will now be able to book an award from Kansas City to the Maldives? I thought I remembered there being a rule that etihad had to have a published fare between your origin and destination in order to book?