Kingfisher Airlines, American Airlines to share codes

MUMBAI - Kingfisher Airlines Tuesday said it will enter into code-sharing and frequent flyer programme with American Airlines in 2011, after the receipt of regulatory approvals.

“The code share on Americans flight to Chicago will mark the first time ever that Kingfisher Airlines will place its code on any flight operating into the United States, said Manoj Chacko, executive vice president-commercial, Kingfisher Airlines Limited.

According to the company, the initial phase of the codeshare will allow American Airlines to place its ‘AA’ code on Kingfisher Airlines domestic network.

While the Kingfisher Airlines will place its ‘IT’ code on selected American flights between the United States and London’s Heathrow airport.

The company also said that members of frequent flyer programme on both the airlines like ‘AAdvantage’ and ‘King Club’ will be able to earn miles on the codeshare flights.

This coupled with the frequent flyer relationship will mean that Kingfisher Airlines guests will be able to benefit from seamless travel on the routes covered by the code share, Chacko said.

Virasb Vahidi, chief commercial officer of American Airlines, said the new partnership between the airlines will further help Kingfisher to complete the process of entering the oneworld air-alliance.

We look forward to strengthening further our partnership as Kingfisher completes the process of joining the oneworld alliance, Vahidi said.

Recently, Kingfisher Airlines joined the oneworld airline alliance, of whom the American Airline is a founder member.