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


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