Air Canada and United Airlines expand relationship for cross-border flights – Italiavola & Travel

Air Canada and United Airlines today announced a joint commercial agreement for the Canada-US cross-border market that will provide customers traveling between the two countries with more flight options and better flight schedules. Customers can connect to 38 codeshare locations in the United States and eight of Canada’s most popular cities while enjoying the benefits of the carriers’ MileagePlus® and Aeroplan loyalty programs. The agreement will strengthen and grow the networks of both carriers and help them accelerate their recovery from Covid-19.

Customers searching for flights between the US and Canada on United or Air Canada’s websites and apps will have more flight options to schedule at the most convenient time. Codeshare between the two carriers will be expanded, and members of the Mileage Plus and Aeroplan programs will have more earning and redemption options.

In 2019, the US-Canada cross-border market was the second largest international air passenger market in the world and the largest international market for both Canada and the US measured by seats.

Air Canada and United already cooperate in the cross-border market under the terms of their existing US antitrust immunity. Under the joint trade agreement, both airlines can now: comply with US and Canadian regulatory and antitrust requirements;

Integrating their networks and schedules allows carriers to offer customers more choice, including more flights throughout the day and greater access to each airline’s seat inventory.

Improve code sharing on cross-border flights, excluding certain US leisure markets and territories. Customers expect to be able to connect 46 cross-border codeshare locations with more than 400 daily frequencies by 2022, with the potential to add more codeshare locations for domestic routes within Canada and the United States.

Sell ​​seats on mutual cross-border flights and share revenue on flights between hub markets (if regulators and antitrust requirements allow), allowing carriers to increase their overall capabilities.

Align customer policies for greater consistency, enable seamless delivery of products on board, establish airport co-locations and add value to each carrier’s frequent flyer programs.

Help both carriers work closely together to advance their sustainability goals.
The implementation of the expanded partnership is based on close cooperation between the two carriers and regulatory approvals previously obtained. United and Air Canada are founding members of Star Alliance and a joint transatlantic trade agreement with Lufthansa Group.