FORT WORTH, Texas – American Airlines has launched its codeshare relationship with airberlin, the second largest carrier in Germany, the fifth largest in Europe, and a oneworld® member-elect. With hubs in Berlin and Dusseldorf, airberlin offers service to more than 160 cities in Europe, Russia, the Middle East and North America. The relationship complements American’s network, particularly in three of its cornerstone markets – New York, Miami and Los Angeles.
airberlin’s flights to the United States will connect to one of the most robust networks in the Americas, where American and American Eagle serve nearly 200 cities in North, South and Central America. From New York’s John F. Kennedy (JFK) gateway, American offers nonstop service to 56 cities. From its Miami hub, American offers unsurpassed service to 30 cities in Mexico, Central and South America, the most of any airline, and is also the leading carrier to the Caribbean serving 23 island destinations, as well as service to six destinations in the Bahamas. From Los Angeles American serves 31 cities, including four Hawaiian destinations, Tokyo, and soon – Shanghai, China.
American’s codeshare agreement with airberlin also extends to Austrian-based airline NIKI, a strategic partner of airberlin.
“We are very pleased to launch our codeshare partnership with airberlin, which offers our customers the choice of more cities throughout Europe and a more convenient travel experience,” said Virasb Vahidi, American’s Chief Commercial Officer.
“The codeshare with American Airlines helps to improve the airberlin network in the United States and provides a foundation for further growth. In addition, passengers flying from the U.S. to our hubs Berlin and Dusseldorf now have the possibility to connect to the multiple airberlin destinations in Germany and Europe,” said Ulf Huttmeyer, Chief Financial Officer, airberlin.
American Airlines first announced it had signed a codeshare agreement with airberlin in July. The agreement also allows AAdvantage® members traveling on codeshare flights (booked under the AA flight number) operated by airberlin or NIKI to earn miles in American’s AAdvantage frequent flyer program. American and airberlin are exploring a more comprehensive agreement that would include the ability to earn and redeem miles across each carrier’s network.
As a member-elect airberlin is expected to join oneworld in early 2012 – weeks before the opening of the new Berlin-Brandenburg International Airport, which is scheduled to be a major new hub airport. airberlin partner NIKI will also become an affiliate member of oneworld.
