American Airlines and Aer Lingus have launched a new codeshare agreement covering flights between the United States and Europe. The two airlines are cooperating under the Atlantic Joint Business (AJB) agreement that covers American Airlines, British Airways, Iberia, and Finnair. Aer Lingus is a new addition to the joint venture, and the codeshare is the first step to further the partnership between American and Aer Lingus.
American and Aer Lingus launch codeshare agreement
American Airlines has announced a new codeshare agreement with Aer Lingus. American will place its code on Aer Lingus flights from Dublin (DUB) to London Heathrow (LHR), Amsterdam (AMS), Birmingham (BHX), London Gatwick (LGW), Manchester (MAN), and from LHR to Belfast City (BHD), Cork (ORK), and Shannon (SNN).
Aer Lingus customers will also be able to book codeshare flights on American Airlines. This will cover flights from American’s Chicago O’Hare (ORD) hub to Albuquerque (ABQ), Nashville (BNA), Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW), Los Angeles (LAX), Seattle (SEA), San Francisco (SFO), San Jose (SJC), and Tucson (TUS).
Reid Moody, Aer Lingus’ Chief Strategy and Planning Officer, stated the following:
“After almost two years of restricted travel we know that demand for dream vacations, business travel, and reconnecting families and friends in 2022 and beyond will be stronger than ever. We are delighted that through the codeshare agreement with American Airlines, Aer Lingus customers will be able to avail of greater connectivity options and more seamless travel between the U.S. and Europe via our Dublin hub, which also has the added benefit of US Customs & Border Protection (CBP) pre-clearance located in Dublin.”
Aer Lingus in the joint venture
Last year, Aer Lingus became part of the Atlantic Joint Business partnership between American Airlines, British Airways, Iberia, and Finnair. These airlines are all part of the oneworld alliance. Aer Lingus is not, but it is a subsidiary of IAG, the parent company of British Airways and Iberia.
The joint venture has allowed the airlines to cooperate on transatlantic flights and expand connections between the US and Europe. British Airways, Iberia, and Finnair have utilized the joint venture to launch new services to the United States. American Airlines has also expanded flights to Europe.
Aer Lingus has also been steadily expanding its operations between Ireland and the United States. As the airline takes more long-haul aircraft, it is likely to expand its services to the United States under the joint venture relationship. With close partners, the airline has access to a larger customer base and can codeshare to sell more flights and itineraries.
Notably, the airlines are, as of now, excluding Aer Lingus UK operations focused around Manchester. Given that Aer Lingus and American are looking to expand their codeshare agreement in the future and American’s exit from Manchester, it would be a natural extension of the deal.
More ways to Europe
In summer 2022, American Airlines has pared back its network as a result of delays to its Boeing 787 delivery schedule. Without those planes, the airline has pared back its schedules to Europe and is flying less than it wants to fly and less than the market demands. As a result, it is turning to its partners to help fill in those gaps and offer connections to key destinations.
While British Airways is the largest connecting partner for American Airlines in Europe, Aer Lingus will help the airline round out some of its other destinations in Europe. Birmingham, Manchester, Cork, and Shannon are easy connections from Dublin or London. With these added connections, both American and Aer Lingus are starting off on the right foot. Expect more details, including potential frequent flyer arrangements, to come as the airlines continue to roll out their partnership.
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