AC & UA code-share
 

Press release (from UA's homepage)

October 6, 1998 UNITED AIRLINES TO CARRY AIR CANADA'S CARRIER CODE ON MORE THAN 600 U.S. FLIGHTS

UA and AC are to expand their code-share alliance, resulting in Air Canada's carrier code (AC) being placed on more than 600 United Airlines flights throughout its U.S. domestic system.

The expansion will develop in stages throughout the month of October with the first stage beginning with tickets open for sale Oct. 8 for flights at United's hub in Denver. The second stage of the expansion will involve flights at United's Chicago hub and tickets will open for sale Oct. 22. The final stage of the expansion will be on United flights in Los Angeles and San Francisco and will open for sale Oct. 29.

"Air Canada already operates more than 1,300 flights per week between Canada and the U.S. -- more than any other carrier or alliance of carriers," adds Rupert Duchesne, Air Canada's Vice President, Marketing. "Expanding code-share services with our partner United brings our customers unparalleled access to the United States while making travel simpler and more enjoyable."

Both airlines already sell seats on the other carrier on a code share basis, as well as offer customers one-stop check-in and baggage ticketing. In a number of airports - Chicago, Newark and Toronto - the two carriers have moved their facilities closer together to allow passengers quicker and easier transfers.

United Airlines and Air Canada passengers also benefit from reciprocal frequent flier programs, the convenience of coordinated schedules that reduce connection times, and access for eligible members to airport lounges across each other's systems.

Future plans for the two air carriers include placing the Air Canada codes on United's flights across the Pacific to provide passengers more options to the South
Pacific through United's hub in Los Angeles.

United and Air Canada established their code sharing relationship in 1995. In May 97, the two carriers, together with Lufthansa, SAS, and Thai Airways International, formed Star Alliance. VARIG joined the alliance in Oct. 1997, and Ansett Australia and Air New Zealand announced their inclusion in the StarAlliance on May 14, 1998.

As the largest air carrier in the world and the largest majority employee-owned


Copyright © 1997 United AirLines, Inc. All rights reserved.

The flights I was on for A-C had both AC and
UA flight numbers, Rudi.

Interesting thing though: The Air Canada
employees ONLY ANNOUNCED their own flight
numbers. That left a few people confused
saying "Is this the flight to EWR?"

Maybe AC's not completely happy about being
blended into to an American operation.
CATMAN

AC is happy with it - maybe (some) AC-employees are less.

Codeshares suck because you can't upgrade.

without code-share you couldn't upgrade either (flying with the ff-membership of the non-carrier) - so that doesn't change anything. but code-share has it advantages (f.e. sometimes: UA/LH you get the status bonus).

With the code sharing on American Airlines and Canadian Airlines in the Oneworld Alliance, the upgrades are interchangeable (at least for Canadian members). This would be a welcome addition to the benefits of the Star Alliance. We'll see what 1999 offers as they try to outcompete?

I have no problem with code share but I do like to know in advance whose plane I am on. If I have the choice I will fly Air Canada planes rather than other Star Alliance members (better international "Business" class, i.e. Executive First, and better domestic business class).

I agree on the MUCH better business class on AC, personal experience: YVR-SFO.

The business class is great on AC, even if its just an one hour flight from YYR to EWR.

AC has only two gates at EWR in a terminal area it shares with US Airways. Interesting thing I noticed that they tell the elite members they can use the U-S Airways Club since it doesn't have one of its own.

Didn't know AC and U-S Airways had some partnership going. Also, wouldn't it make
more sense for AC to have gates in the same
area as United, since they are partners.

AC used to be on the COntinental terminal but
got kicked out as Continental started adding
more flight. CATMAN

Air Canada has been making moves to get closer to its alliance partners but in the meantime, it isn't too bad. We get to use TWA Ambassador's Clubs, Continental President's Clubs and others that quite often aren't as noisy and crowded (and you sometimes get free drinks) as United's. I may be in no rush to move. In Europe I have used Air France's Salon L'Espace (also not a partner in any sense any more).