FORT WORTH, Texas and SEATTLE, 2013-02-04 — /travelprnews.com/ — American Airlines and Alaska Airlines announced today that the two airlines are strengthening their relationship by adding new codeshare routes that will offer customers even more choices and benefits when traveling throughout the United States. The codeshare flights are available for purchase today for travel beginning Feb. 7, 2013.
The codeshare expansion will allow American to place its code on 22 new Alaska routes that provide Bay Area travelers with access to Hawaii and will increase the options for transcontinental flights for travelers in the Pacific Northwest and San Diego to Boston, Washington, D.C. and Orlando, Fla. Under the agreement, Alaska will place its code on 19 American routes, which will provide better access for Alaska customers on flights between Los Angeles and U.S. cities such as Washington, D.C., Orlando and Houston. Additionally, Alaska customers will gain better access between the Pacific Northwest and 11 new cities throughout Texas via American’s Dallas/Fort Worth hub. In all, Alaska customers will gain access to 13 new destinations.
“The relationship American has with Alaska is strategically important to us as it expands our reach along the West Coast, providing our customers with access to destinations beyond our network,” said Kurt Stache, American’s Vice President – Strategic Alliances. “The expanded codeshare relationship not only further improves access for our customers as they travel throughout the U.S. but also provides our customers with a seamless travel experience when flying on Alaska.”
“For more than a decade our customers have benefited greatly from our relationship with American Airlines,” said Andrew Harrison, Alaska’s vice president of planning and revenue management. “This codeshare expansion will offer our customers even greater access to American’s extensive network. Alaska’s elite-level frequent fliers will continue to enjoy a seamless customer experience when they travel on American, including free checked bags, priority boarding and priority seating – the same benefits they receive when flying on Alaska Airlines.”
American and Alaska Airlines already have an established and successful frequent flier program relationship in place allowing members to earn and redeem miles on each other’s flights. In addition, the miles Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan members earn on American Airlines flights count toward elite status qualification and elite status members can receive their elite status bonus miles on American Airlines flights. Likewise, the miles American Airlines AAdvantage® members earn on Alaska Airlines flights count toward elite status qualification and elite status members can receive their elite status bonus miles on Alaska Airlines flights. Elite members are also eligible for priority check-in and boarding as well as waived baggage charges for two checked bags when traveling on each other’s flights. Elite Level Mileage Plan members have access to preferred seating when traveling on American Airlines and AAdvantage Executive Platinum and AAdvantage Platinum members have access to preferred seating when traveling on Alaska Airlines or its affiliates.
About American Airlines
American Airlines focuses on providing an exceptional travel experience across the globe, serving more than 260 airports in more than 50 countries and territories. American’s fleet of nearly 900 aircraft fly more than 3,500 daily flights worldwide from hubs in Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Los Angeles, Miami and New York. American flies to nearly 100 international locations including important markets such as London, Madrid, Sao Paulo and Tokyo. With more than 500 new planes scheduled to join the fleet, including continued deliveries of the Boeing 737 family of aircraft and new additions such as the Boeing 777-300ER and the Airbus A320 family of aircraft, American is building toward the youngest and most modern fleet among major U.S. carriers. American’s website, AA.com®, provides customers with easy access to check and book fares, and personalized news, information and travel offers. American’s AAdvantage® program, one of the most popular frequent flyer programs in the world, lets members redeem miles for flights to almost 950 destinations worldwide, as well as flight upgrades, vacation packages, car rentals, hotel stays and other retail products. The airline also offers nearly 40 Admirals Club® locations worldwide providing comfort, convenience, and an environment with a full range of services making it easy for customers to stay productive without interruption. American is a founding member of the oneworld® alliance, which brings together some of the best and biggest airlines in the world, including global brands like British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Iberia Airlines, Japan Airlines, LAN and Qantas. Together, its members serve more than 900 destinations with more than 9,000 daily flights to 150 countries and territories. Connect with American on Twitter @AmericanAir or Facebook.com/AmericanAirlines. American Airlines, Inc. and American Eagle Airlines, Inc. are subsidiaries of AMR Corporation. AMR Corporation common stock trades under the symbol “AAMRQ” on the OTCQB marketplace, operated by OTC Markets Group.
About Alaska Airlines
Alaska Airlines, a subsidiary of Alaska Air Group (NYSE: ALK), together with its partner regional airlines, serves 95 cities through an expansive network in Alaska, the Lower 48, Hawaii, Canada and Mexico. Alaska Airlines has ranked “Highest in Customer Satisfaction Among Traditional Network Carriers” in the J.D. Power and Associates North America Airline Satisfaction StudySM for five consecutive years from 2008 to 2012. For reservations, visit www.alaskaair.com. For more news and information, visit the Alaska Airlines newsroom at www.alaskaair.com/newsroom.