Etihad's double deal to benefit passengers

While remaining outside of any formal alliance, Abu Dhabi's Etihad Airways, is continuing to extend relationships with other major carriers for the benefit of its passengers

This week it signed a code share agreement with Portuguese national carrier TAP and also kicked off its frequent flier agreement with American Airlines

The latest deal offers Etihad Airways guests a wealth of new flight options to destinations in Portugal including Lisbon, Faro, Funchal (Madeira) and Porto. The new codeshare services have started immediately.

Under the codeshare, Etihad Airways will place its ‘EY’ code on services operated by TAP Portugal from Lisbon to Brussels, Düsseldorf, Faro, Frankfurt, Funchal, Geneva, London, Milan, and Porto. TAP Portugal flights from Porto to Brussels and Geneva will also carry the ‘EY’ code.

TAP will place its ‘TP’ code on Etihad Airways flights to and from Brussels, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Geneva, London, and Milan.

James Hogan, Etihad Airways’ CEO, said: “This new codeshare illustrates Etihad’s growing ambitions in Europe. It opens up four key destinations in Portugal that we have been eager to offer our customers for a long time and we are certain the connections and seamless flight experience offered by Etihad Airways and TAP Portugal will appeal to business and leisure travellers.”

Fernando Pinto, TAP Portugal’s CEO said: “TAP has been very active in providing new and more diverse quality services to its worldwide customer base. Through this new agreement with Etihad Airways, TAP will be reaching the United Arab Emirates for the first time ever, not only offering faster and more convenient links between the Gulf region and Portugal, but also attracting and carrying new passengers to its own network, based at its functional Lisbon hub.”

Also, starting from today members of Etihad Airways’ Etihad Guest frequent flyer programme and American’s AAdvantage programme will be able to redeem miles on eligible American Airlines flights and eligible Etihad Airways flights, respectively.

The codeshare agreement between Etihad and American, in place since August 2009, delivers a combined codeshare network of more than 50 destinations worldwide.

Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways’ Chief Commercial Officer, said: “I am thrilled to offer full ‘earn and burn’ options for the valued members of the two programmes. Codeshare and frequent flyer partnerships, such as the one we have with American and TAP, are vital to Etihad’s success as a young and growing airline.