Aer Lingus and United
Airlines have begun a codesharing agreement enabling United customers to
book connecting flights on Aer Lingus’ network for travel from November.The new partnership provides customers with a seamless booking
process, coordinated baggage handling, and simplified reservations,
ticketing and check-in. From April 2009 Aer Lingus will place its code on
United Airlines domestic flights, giving customers access to United’s
entire North American network.

  The codeshare agreement will cover all six of Aer Lingus’ U.S.
gateways, including New York-JFK, Boston, Orlando, Chicago-O’Hare, San
Francisco, and Washington. Aer Lingus customers will have access to nearly
200 additional destinations in the U.S. through United’s hubs in Chicago,
San Francisco, and Washington. United customers will also benefit from
greater access to destinations in Ireland and to destinations in the UK and
Continental Europe through Aer Lingus’ extensive short-haul network.

  Dermot Mannion, Aer Lingus CEO said, “The relationship with United
Airlines extends our offering to both our Irish and North American customer
base, with seamless travel options and access to more than 200 destinations
served by United Airlines in the US. We believe that this agreement will
strengthen and consolidate our position in the US market as we capitalise
on the scale and the strength of the United Airlines network.”

  The United Airlines flight code is now available on all Aer Lingus
transatlantic flights to and from Ireland and on flights between Ireland
and both London Heathrow and London Gatwick.

  “We are pleased to partner with Aer Lingus and provide our customers in
the United States with the most direct service to Ireland on the country’s
national carrier,” says Glenn Tilton, chairman, president and CEO of
United. “Our customers will now enjoy more choices and benefits during
their travels to Ireland and the rest of Europe.”

  On November 1, members of the United Airline’s Mileage Plus(R) program
will be able to earn miles on the codeshare routes and may redeem Mileage
Plus miles across the Aer Lingus network. Aer Lingus frequent flyers will
be able to earn points on trans-Atlantic flights operated by United and
redeem points for travel across the United network. Aer Lingus customers
will also be able to earn points on select United domestic flights,
beginning in April 2009.
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