Carriers kick off important strategic partnership
FORT WORTH, Texas, and CALGARY, March 29 /CNW/ - American Airlines and WestJet Airlines have launched a comprehensive codeshare agreement that will give customers of both airlines more choices and greater connectivity when travelling between the United States and Canada, as well as across American's worldwide network.
This codeshare relationship allows American to place its AA* code on WestJet flights, and WestJet to place its WS* code on flights of American Airlines.
The placement of AA* code on WestJet flights will provide American's customers seamless connecting service to nearly 20 Canadian cities not currently served by American or American Eagle. Initially, American will place its code on flights in the following markets: Montreal to Winnipeg and Toronto to Edmonton.
By placing the WS* code on American's flights, WestJet will be offering its guests service to more than 30 new American U.S destinations. WestJet will add these codeshare routes in phases, starting with the WS* code on American flights to Dallas/Fort Worth and Los Angeles via Toronto, with expanded service throughout the American Airlines network expected in the near future. The codeshare agreement will make it easier and more convenient for customers to connect from WestJet to American's global route network and from American to WestJet's Canadian cities.
Members of the American Airlines AAdvantage(R) program and WestJet's Frequent Guest Program(R) can now earn miles or rewards on the codeshare flights, providing customers another benefit of the enhanced relationship. The two airlines are exploring other ways to augment their cooperation in the future.
"Our codeshare with WestJet will give customers of both partners more departure choices, additional convenient flights, and a greater selection of route options throughout our North American network, while offering carefree connections to and from cities throughout Canada," said Virasb Vahidi, American's Chief Commercial Officer. "American and WestJet intend to expand and deepen further the benefits to our joint customers of this cooperation in the near future."
"We are delighted to launch this important strategic alliance to offer our guests more travel choices through American's expansive list of U.S. and global destinations," said Hugh Dunleavy, WestJet's Executive Vice-President, Strategy and Planning. "With this important milestone in our history, we continue to deliver on our strategic plan to seek commercial agreements with valued partners in major geographical regions around the world."
Customers can book these codeshare itineraries through travel agencies, most major North American online travel agency websites, www.aa.com [2], American Airlines Reservations at 800-433-7300, www.westjet.com [3] or the WestJet Sales Super Centre at 1-888-937-8538.
About American Airlines
American Airlines, American Eagle and AmericanConnection(R) serve 250 cities in 40 countries with, on average, more than 3,400 daily flights. The combined network fleet numbers more than 900 aircraft. American's award-winning website, AA.com(R), provides users with easy access to check and book fares, plus personalized news, information and travel offers. American Airlines is a founding member of the oneworld(R) Alliance, which brings together some of the best and biggest names in the airline business, enabling them to offer their customers more services and benefits than any airline can provide on its own. Together, its members serve nearly 700 destinations in more than 130 countries and territories. American Airlines, Inc. and American Eagle Airlines, Inc. are subsidiaries of AMR Corporation. AmericanAirlines, American Eagle, AmericanConnection, AA.com, We know why you fly and AAdvantage are trademarks of American Airlines, Inc. (NYSE: AMR)
About the AAdvantage(R) Program
The AAdvantage program was the first frequent flyer program. Established in 1981, the program now has more than 66 million members. Members can earn miles at more than 1,000 participating companies, which include 27 hotel chains representing more than 60 brands, more than 20 airlines, eight car-rental companies, 11 financial companies, and over 500 brand name retailers. In addition, members can earn miles when making purchases with one of more than 100 affinity card products in over 40 countries. In 2010, AAdvantage members redeemed more than 165 billion miles to claim just fewer than 7.2 million awards for flights, upgrades and car rentals. For more information and a listing of AAdvantage program participating companies, visitwww.aa.com/aadvantage.
About WestJet
WestJet is Canada's favourite airline, offering scheduled service throughout its 71-city North American and Caribbean network. Inducted into Canada's Most Admired Corporate Cultures Hall of Fame and named one of Canada's best employers, WestJet pioneered low-cost flying in Canada. Named a J.D. Power 2011 Customer Service Champion, WestJet offers increased legroom, leather seats and live seatback television provided by Bell TV on its modern fleet of 94 Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft. With future confirmed deliveries for an additional 41 aircraft through 2018, WestJet strives to be one of the five most successful international airlines in the world.
Caution regarding forward-looking statements
Certain information set forth in this news release, including information regarding the codeshare relationship between WestJet and American Airlines, customer services and benefits, implementation of codeshare capabilities, future cooperation between WestJet and American Airlines, future commercial agreements, growth strategy and corporate vision, contain forward-looking statements. By their nature, forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, some of which are beyond WestJet's and American Airlines' control. These forward-looking statements are based on the codeshare agreement between WestJet and American Airlines and currently available implementation plans, but may vary due to factors including, but not limited to, the ability of the two carriers to effectively implement the codeshare relationship and other factors described in WestJet's and American Airlines' public reports and filings. WestJet's public reports and filings are available on WestJet's profile at www.sedar.com [4], and American Airlines files public reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Readers are cautioned that undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements as actual results may vary materially from the forward-looking statements. WestJet and American Airlines do not undertake to update, correct or revise any forward-looking statements as a result of any new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable law.
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