Under the broadened partnership, American and China Southern will begin codesharing on transpacific flights, including four US-China routes operated by China Southern and five US-China routes operated by American.
American Airlines will broaden its partnership with China Southern early next year, when the Guangzhou-based carrier will no longer be part of the SkyTeam alliance.
American, which owns 2.9% of China Southern, is a member of the Oneworld alliance.
Under the broadened partnership, American and China Southern will begin codesharing on transpacific flights, including four US-China routes operated by China Southern and five US-China routes operated by American.
American also will place its code on nine China Southern domestic routes beyond Shanghai and add its code to five new China Southern domestic routes beyond Beijing. The carriers already codeshare on 14 China Southern routes beyond Beijing.
Conversely, China Southern will place its code on 27 new domestic routes operated by American beyond Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York JFK.
Overall, China Southern will have its code on flights American operates to 21 US cities, up from six cities under the codeshare agreement the carriers began this past January.
American and China Southern will launch reciprocal frequent flyer benefits and reciprocal lounge benefits early next year.
The carriers haven't yet announced the specific commencement date for the expanded partnership. The new codeshare tickets are not yet on sale.
Source:Travel Weekly USA