Customers will now have access to more flights as Air Canada and United Airlines recently announced an expansion of their alliance. Travelers will be able to choose from more flight options as well as offer more benefits for frequent travelers memberships of both companies’ programs, Aeroplan and MileagePlus.
The network will be extended by connecting 38 codeshare destinations in the United States and eight in Canada and can be booked through the carriers’ websites and apps.
“This agreement marks a new phase in our evolving relationship that will speed the recovery from the pandemic and strengthen both carriers,” said Mark Galardo, Senior Vice President of Network Planning and Revenue Management at Air Canada. ”It will also enable us to optimize our hubs and schedules and to broaden our global network connectivity to maintain our leadership in the market.”
As the travel industry has been buoyed by increased interest in travel across the globe, Patrick Quayle, Senior Vice President of Global Network Planning and Alliances at United, said: “As international travel continues to recover, this expanded partnership will provide an enhanced experience for all transborder travel.”
Along with agreeing to improve customer policies and advance their sustainability objectives, some of the main benefits of the alliance include:
- Travelers searching for flights between the United States and Canada will find more options, more access to each airline’s seat inventory, and more convenient schedules.
- Members of the frequent-flyer loyalty programs —Aeroplan and MileagePlus— will have more accrual and redemption options and also improved services.
- The airlines expect that this year travelers will be able to connect to 46 transborder codeshare destinations with more than 400 daily frequencies.