Aer Lingus partners with United Airlines

Aer Lingus and United Airlines, a leading US domestic and international airline, have today announced that they will commence a codeshare agreement that will enable seamless booking on each other's flights from 1 November, 2008. The agreement was signed by Aer Lingus CEO Dermot Mannion and United Airlines CEO Glenn Tilton in Chicago.

The codeshare agreement will cover all seven of Aer Lingus' US gateways resulting in significant benefits for Aer Lingus customers, by providing access to over 200 additional destinations in the US market on the United Airlines network. US customers will also benefit from greater access to destinations in Ireland and, through Aer Lingus' extensive short-haul network, to destinations in the UK and Continental Europe. The United Airlines flight code will be placed on all Aer Lingus Transatlantic flights to and from Shannon and Dublin.

The codeshare will also result in simplified reservations, ticketing, through check-in and coordinated baggage handling for passengers. Members of the Aer Lingus "Gold Circle" Club and United Airline's "Mileage Plus" programme will also be able to redeem frequent flyer points across the airlines' networks.

Dermot Mannion, Aer Lingus CEO said: "This relationship further builds on our growing US route network and will provide customers with seamless travel options to over 200 destinations served by United Airlines in the US. Greater accessibility to further US destinations will allow Aer Lingus to fully leverage the opportunities that exist following the opening of our new gateways. We believe that this agreement will strengthen our position in the US market as we capitalise on the scale and the strength of the United Airlines network."

"Chicago and Ireland have a rich history, and our relationship with Aer Lingus will give our customers more non-stop destinations across the Atlantic," added Michael Whitaker, United Airline's senior vice president - Alliances, International and Regulatory Affairs.

"Partnering with the national carrier of Ireland offers our customers a convenient, comfortable service to the Emerald Isle and supports our strategy of international growth."

Passengers will be able to book connecting flights to United Airlines destinations from September 2008 for travel from November 2008. The agreement between the two carriers is pending US government approval.