American Airlines Announces Codesharing With EL AL Israel Airlines
FORT WORTH, Texas, Dec. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- American Airlines, a founding member of the global oneworld(R) Alliance, today announced it will apply to the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) for authorization to begin codeshare cooperation with EL AL Israel Airlines. The application proposes that codesharing operations begin on Feb. 1, 2008.
Under the proposal, American would place its AA designator code on EL AL flights to Tel Aviv from New York John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK), Los Angeles, Miami and Newark, as well as on EL AL fights to Tel Aviv from European gateways in London Heathrow, Paris, Madrid, Zurich and Rome.
In turn, EL AL would place its LY designator code on certain of American Airlines domestic flights out of El Al's North American gateways -- JFK, Miami, Los Angeles, Newark and Toronto. El Al would also codeshare on American's flights between the United States and London Heathrow, Paris, Madrid, Zurich and Rome.
"EL AL is a high quality, world-class airline that will provide our passengers and shippers with additional choices and convenient service to Tel Aviv," said Henry Joyner, American's Senior Vice President -- Planning. "We also look forward to serving EL AL's passengers on our American flights in many of our North American markets. We're especially pleased to be codesharing with EL AL into, and out of, our new $1.3 billion state-of-the-art JFK terminal."
"We are proud to join forces with American Airlines, a company whose history, size and range of services speak for themselves," said EL AL CEO Haim Romano. "The authorization of EL AL's codeshare agreement with American Airlines will open up new horizons, create a wide range of possibilities, and enable EL AL passengers to fly on LY code -- with convenience and maximum flexibility -- between Israel and North America."
American and EL AL already have a frequent flyer program relationship. American's AAdvantage members may earn or redeem AAdvantage miles on EL AL flights.
About American Airlines
American Airlines is the world's largest airline. American, American Eagle and the AmericanConnection(R) airlines serve 250 cities in over 40 countries with more than 4,000 daily flights. The combined network fleet numbers more than 1,000 aircraft. American's award-winning Web site, AA.com, provides users with easy access to check and book fares, plus personalized news, information and travel offers. American Airlines is a founding member of the oneworld(R) Alliance, which brings together some of the best and biggest names in the airline business, enabling them to offer their customers more services and benefits than any airline can provide on its own. Together, its members serve nearly 700 destinations in over 140 countries and territories. American Airlines, Inc. and American Eagle Airlines, Inc. are subsidiaries of AMR Corporation. AmericanAirlines, American Eagle, the AmericanConnection(R) airlines, AA.com and AAdvantage are registered trademarks of American Airlines, Inc. (NYSE:AMR)
About EL AL Israel Airlines
EL AL is Israel's national airline. The company was founded in 1948, just a few months after the establishment of the State of Israel. EL AL was government-owned until it underwent privatization in 2004. EL AL operates over 400 weekly flights to 38 destinations around the world -- in Europe, Africa, the Far East and North America -- including connecting flights to another 600 destinations. EL AL is the largest carrier on routes between Israel and North America, and it flies directly to five North American airports -- JFK in New York, Newark, Miami, Los Angeles and Toronto -- for a total of 27 weekly North America-bound flights, including some 17 to the greater New York area. The company maintains a fleet of 37 passenger planes, two of which are new 777-200s that it received in the summer of 2007. It recently announced its intention to buy a fifth 747-200 and continue equipping 737s. The EL AL Matmid Frequent Flyers Club numbers nearly 600,000 members, about a fourth of whom are outside of Israel, mainly in North America. The club maintains strategic partnerships with credit card companies in Israel, the US and Europe, as well as with many tourist organizations.
AmericanAirlines(R) We know why you fly(R)
Current AMR Corp. releases can be accessed on the Internet.
The address is
http://www.aa.com
Source: American Airlines