Aer Lingus & United Airlines' partnership takes flight

Aer Lingus and United Airlines have begun a codesharing agreement, enabling Aer Lingus customers' access to United Airlines network in North America from 01 November. From April 2009 Aer Lingus will place its code on United Airlines domestic flights, giving customers access to United's entire North American network.

United customers can now book connecting flights on Aer Lingus' network for travel from 01 November 2008. The new partnership provides customers with a seamless booking process, coordinated baggage handling, and simplified reservations, ticketing and check-in.

The codeshare agreement will cover all six of Aer Lingus' U.S. gateways, including New York-JFK, Boston, Orlando, Chicago-O'Hare, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C. Aer Lingus customers will have access to almost 200 additional destinations in the U.S. through United's hubs in Chicago, San Francisco, and Washington. United customers will also benefit from greater access to destinations in Ireland and to destinations in the UK and Continental Europe through Aer Lingus' extensive short-haul network.

Dermot Mannion, Aer Lingus CEO said, "The relationship with United Airlines extends our offering to both our Irish and North American customer base, with seamless travel options and access to more than 200 destinations served by United Airlines in the US. We believe that this agreement will strengthen and consolidate our position in the US market as we capitalise on the scale and the strength of the United Airlines network."

"We are pleased to partner with Aer Lingus and provide our customers in the United States with the most direct service to Ireland on the country's national carrier," says Glenn Tilton, chairman, president and CEO of United. "Our customers will now enjoy more choices and benefits during their travels to Ireland and the rest of Europe."

The United Airlines flight code is now available on all Aer Lingus transatlantic flights to and from Ireland and on flights between Ireland and both London Heathrow and London Gatwick.

On 01 November, members of the United Airline's Mileage Plus programme will be able to earn miles on the codeshare routes and may redeem Mileage Plus miles across the Aer Lingus network. Aer Lingus frequent flyers will be able to earn points on trans-Atlantic flights operated by United and redeem points for travel across the United network. Aer Lingus customers will also be able to earn points on select United domestic flights, from April 2009.