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 U.S.-China
routes operated by China Southern and five U.S.-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 U.S. 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.