Post by earl on Apr 9, 2008 16:20:08 GMT
Aer Lingus and Chicago-based United Airlines have signed a deal that will allow their customers to travel to destinations in Europe and the US without having to make separate bookings.
The codeshare agreement, which is subject to US government approval, will provide Aer Lingus' customers with access to over 200 additional destinations in the US market on the United Airlines network
United Airlines customers will now be able to fly direct to Dublin with Aer Lingus rather than having to fly to London Heathrow and pick up a connecting flight, it said.
The agreement, which was signed by Aer Lingus chief Dermot Mannion and United Airlines chief executive Glenn Tilton in Chicago, will also give US passengers landing in Ireland access to Aer Lingus destinations across Europe.
"This relationship further builds on our growing US route network and will provide customers with seamless travel options to over 200 destinations served by United Airlines in the US," Mr Mannion said.
Aer Lingus, which currently flies direct to seven cities in the United States, has been among the first European carriers to expand its American route network thanks to the Open Skies deal between the US and the European Union.
"Chicago and Ireland have a rich history, and our relationship with Aer Lingus will give our customers more non-stop destinations across the Atlantic," Michael Whitaker, senior vice president at United Airlines, said.
"Partnering with the national carrier of Ireland ... supports our strategy of international growth," he said.
Meanwhile in Dublin, Aer Lingus' shares were down 1c at 2.01, after news of the new arrangements were announced.
The codeshare agreement, which is subject to US government approval, will provide Aer Lingus' customers with access to over 200 additional destinations in the US market on the United Airlines network
United Airlines customers will now be able to fly direct to Dublin with Aer Lingus rather than having to fly to London Heathrow and pick up a connecting flight, it said.
The agreement, which was signed by Aer Lingus chief Dermot Mannion and United Airlines chief executive Glenn Tilton in Chicago, will also give US passengers landing in Ireland access to Aer Lingus destinations across Europe.
"This relationship further builds on our growing US route network and will provide customers with seamless travel options to over 200 destinations served by United Airlines in the US," Mr Mannion said.
Aer Lingus, which currently flies direct to seven cities in the United States, has been among the first European carriers to expand its American route network thanks to the Open Skies deal between the US and the European Union.
"Chicago and Ireland have a rich history, and our relationship with Aer Lingus will give our customers more non-stop destinations across the Atlantic," Michael Whitaker, senior vice president at United Airlines, said.
"Partnering with the national carrier of Ireland ... supports our strategy of international growth," he said.
Meanwhile in Dublin, Aer Lingus' shares were down 1c at 2.01, after news of the new arrangements were announced.
