American Airlines Begins Strategic Relationship with China Southern Airlines

American Airlines has committed to a US$200 million equity investment in China Southern Airlines, creating a strong foundation for a long-term relationship between the two carriers, while offering west-bound travellers more flight options and better connectivity between the Americas and Greater China as the airlines begin to codeshare.

Later this year, the two carriers will begin codeshare and interline agreements that will give customers access to many more destinations in China, as well as North and South America. China Southern customers will gain access to almost 80 destinations beyond LAX, San Francisco (SFO) and New York’s Kennedy Airport (JFK) in North and South America, while American customers will be able to access nearly 40 destinations beyond Beijing and more than 30 destinations beyond Shanghai.

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The expected codeshare routes are anticipated to include the ability to earn and redeem AAdvantage Miles, through-bag checking, and the ability to book travel on a single ticket. The planned routes operating under the interline agreements are anticipated to include through-bag checking to the traveller’s final destination.

China Southern’s primary hub is located in Guangzhou (CAN) with the majority of its transpacific flights positioned there, while American flies to Beijing (PEK) and Shanghai (PVG) from its hubs in Chicago (ORD), Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) and Los Angeles (LAX).

China Southern’s extensive network within China touches developing and thriving markets that only a Chinese carrier can reach, and they have a reputation and record of excellence,” says Robert Isom, president of American Airlines. “We are two of the biggest carriers in the world, and our networks are highly complementary, with the potential to offer China Southern and American customers an unmatched range of destinations in two critical markets for business and leisure travellers.”

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American Airlines currently offers daily service from DFW to Hong Kong (HKG), PEK and PVG; LAX to HKG and PVG; and ORD to PEK and PVG. All flights to PEK and PVG are operated on the airline’s state-of-the-art Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, while its HKG flights are operated using its flagship Boeing 777-300. The airline also offers fully lie-flat seats in first and business class cabins on all of its transpacific flights between China and the U.S.

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The Art of Business Travel is Asia-Pacific's leading portal for corporate travel news and views. We cover everything from airline routes and airport developments, to new hotels, meeting venues, loyalty schemes, and entertaining.