American And Mexicana to Codeshare
 

The full article is available from Yahoo!:

FORT WORTH, Texas and MEXICO CITY, Jan. 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Two of the world's major airlines -- American Airlines and Mexicana de Aviacion -- will enter into a new, robust codesharing arrangement in April that will offer customers around the globe better options for travel between the United States and Mexico.

The two carriers will also enter into a reciprocal frequent-flyer arrangement that will enable members to accrue and redeem miles in American's AAdvantage® program or Mexicana's Frecuenta® program on each other's network, including more than 500 round-trip flights per week between both countries.

"American's vast network is one of the primary reasons people choose us for their travel needs," said Gerard Arpey, American's president and CEO. "Through this agreement with Mexicana, we're further strengthening the breadth of our route system and increasing flight options for our passengers. In cooperation with Mexico's finest airline, we're able to further honor our commitment to providing our customers with the products and services they value."

"We're very pleased to announce the leading alliance in North America," said Fernando Flores, Mexicana's chairman and CEO. "Our commitment to our passengers has always been to offer the best services and connectivity. Now that we are working with American Airlines, I'm confident that Mexicana will solidify its longstanding stature as the leading Mexican international airline."

The agreement, which is pending governmental approval, provides for codesharing on transborder flights, connecting service to points within Mexico and the U.S., and select international flights beyond the United States.

American passengers will soon see new flight availability for up to 21 new cities in Mexico, including such popular destinations as Merida, Oaxaca, Veracruz and Tampico. Additionally, American will be able to place its code on 27 new, nonstop transborder markets.

"This agreement will not only support our current network but also future growth opportunities into Mexico," Arpey said. "In fact, we will be launching new service from our Dallas/Fort Worth hub to Cozumel and Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo on Jan. 31 as well as adding more frequencies on our service to Los Cabos in Baja California Sur."


Mexicana de Aviacion is Mexico's leading international airline. Its fleet is considered to be one of the youngest in the world. It also offers more than 55 destinations in North, Central and South America and the Caribbean. Mexicana offers great benefits in accruing and redeeming miles, access to Executive Lounges (Salones Ejecutivos), wide possibility for connections and coordinated timetables in an extensive route network.

American Airlines is the world's largest carrier. American, American Eagle and the AmericanConnection regional carriers serve more than 250 cities in over 40 countries with more than 3,900 daily flights. The combined 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 Alliance.

[This message has been edited by T/BE20/G (edited Jan 21, 2004).]

Wonder if this was in the works before Mexicana left Star Alliance, or whether it fell into place afterwards.

Wonder how this will work with the Mexicana flights out of YYZ - would be great if AA codeshares. They still show as codeshares with AC as of right now.

I just looked at the UA web site, and March 31 is the last date to accrue miles there, though the departure from Star Alliance was announced months back. Dec 31 was the last date you could ticket UA award travel on Mexicana. Imagine it's similar to what they have in place with AC.

This probably heralds Mexicana's entry into OneWorld down the road.

Recently there was a post over on the OW board that Mexicana and Gulf Air would soon be joining OW.

This seems to almost confirm it for Mexicana.

This is great news; Mexicana is an outstanding airline with lounges in most cities, clean airplanes, professional F/As and substantial inflight food and drink.

Good stuff!!! AA had great coverage in S. America already through the Lan Chile alliance, but Mexicana is a great addition for the Central American area.

Is this the same Mexicana I've flown??

Most likely. Mexicana is a great airlines. Great service and food thats better than most US airlines.

That's using the a poke in the eye is better than a kick in the charlies logic though.


[This message has been edited by ricktoronto (edited Jan 21, 2004).]

This is great news. Now I'll have access to MTY-MEX and Mexicana's lounges throughout Mexico. I was considering jumping ship from AA to *Alliance. Not any more!
AA is making sure that it remains the US airline with the broadest Latin American network. The big question is, will we be able to earn AAdvantage miles on the CUN-HAV flights?

Happy Travels

No. US airlines can't accept segments with HAV as a destination.

Well, I must disagree. I have flown Air Jamaica to MBJ and then Air Jamaica to HAV twice and have received miles on Delta both times (embargo notwithstanding).

To cut short the flurry of warnings I might receive, I am licensed to travel to Cuba.

quote:
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Originally posted by bennytma:
The big question is, will we be able to earn AAdvantage miles on the CUN-HAV flights?
Happy Travels


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No. US airlines can't accept segments with HAV as a destination.

Funny, I didn't think Air Jamaica was a US carrier.