Northwest Airlines (NASDAQ: NWAC) and Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAI.B and CAI.A) will begin code-sharing on 28 weekly international flights between the U.S. and Japan, and 21 weekly flights beyond Japan starting tomorrow, Dec. 29th.

From the mainland U.S., Continental will place its code-share on Northwest’s flights between San Francisco and New York (JFK) to Tokyo and between Detroit and Osaka, Japan. Similarly, Northwest will place its code on Continental’s daily flight between New York/Newark and Tokyo.

Beyond Japan, Continental will code-share on Northwest’s flights between Tokyo and Singapore, Singapore; Bangkok, Thailand and Seoul, Korea.
Starting in January, Northwest and Continental will implement a major portion of their domestic code-share operations and some additional international flights.

Key consumer benefits of the code-share alliance include improved worldwide flight connections, service and schedules; full reciprocity between the two carriers’ newly enhanced frequent flyer programs; and reciprocity of airport lounge membership privileges in the United States.

Continental is the fifth largest airline in the U.S., offering more than 2,200 departures daily to 128 domestic and 69 international destinations. Northwest Airlines, the fourth largest airline in the U.S., and its regional and international partners fly to more than 400 cities in more than 80 countries on six continents. The two carriers make up the fourth largest airline network in the world. More information regarding the innovative Northwest/Continental alliance and its benefits to consumers can be found on the two companies’ web sites at www.flycontinental.com and www.nwa.com.

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