American Airlines announced a new codeshare agreement with Middle Eastern carrier Etihad Airways today, fresh from yesterday's announcement of its partnership with Latin America's GOL Airlines.
If the deal with Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, gains government approval, American Airlines will be able to place its "AA" code on Etihad services between Abu Dhabi and New York (JFK), Chicago (ORD), Paris (CDG), Dublin, Frankfurt, Manchester and Milan (MXP).
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In exchange, Etihad will place its "EY" code on several American flights between the United States and Europe, as well as flights between New York (JFK) and Washington (DCA), Los Angeles and San Francisco. Some American flights between Chicago (ORD) and Washington (DCA), Los Angeles, San Francisco and Houston (IAH) will also bear the "EY" code.
The codeshare, if approved, is expected to launch at around the same time as Etihad's new service to Chicago, starting in September. Customers transferring between the two carriers will be able to buy a single ticket and check their baggage to their final destination, rather than to their layover stop.
Many airlines have entered codesharing agreements in recent months, including Southwest Airlines and Volaris, Go! and Island Air, and Jetlite and Jet Airways.