American Airlines' customers can buy tickets on more Alaska Airlines flights as the two carriers expanded their code-share agreement Monday.
The two airlines already have an existing code-share agreement, but it was limited by American's contract with its pilots. With a new contract approved by pilots in December, American can increase the amount of domestic code-sharing with Alaska and other carriers.In a code-share, one airline can place its flight codes on another airline's flight. That makes it easier for a passenger to buy, say, a ticket from Dallas/Fort Worth to San Francisco on American and then take a connecting flight operated by Alaska Airlines from San Francisco to Hawaii."The relationship American has with Alaska is strategically important to us as it expands our reach along the West Coast, providing our customers with access to destinations beyond our network," said Kurt Stache, American vice president of strategic alliances.With the expanded agreement, American will place its code on 22 new routes serviced by Alaska, mostly out of San Francisco's airport. Alaska will place its code on 19 American routes out of Los Angeles and Dallas/Fort Worth.As part of its restructuring in bankruptcy, American said it plans to expand its domestic code-sharing deals with carriers, including JetBlue and others.Andrea Ahles, 817-390-7631Twitter: @Sky_TalkHave more to add? News tip? Tell us
