FORT WORTH, Texas - American Airlines and Cathay Pacific Airways today announced they will begin codeshare service to Hong Kong on Jan. 29. Tickets for the codeshare flights will go on sale beginning Jan. 27.

For the first time, American`s customers traveling from anywhere on the carrier`s extensive worldwide network will be able to travel under the “AA” code to Hong Kong via Cathay Pacific`s U.S. gateways—Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York, as well as American`s gateway at Tokyo. Customers will also be able to travel beyond Hong Kong to other cities in Asia. Cathay will place its code on American’s flights to 20 U.S. cities from its three U.S. gateways.

“Our customers will be able to make all of their arrangements to fly from the U.S. to Hong Kong and on to other points in Asia by contacting American Airlines,” Don Carty, Chairman of American Airlines, said. “They will find this new feature of our oneworld relationship immensely valuable when it comes to the convenience of world travel.”

Cathay Pacific Deputy Chairman and Chief Executive David Turnbull said, “Our codeshare agreement with American Airlines demonstrates the benefits for both airlines and passengers that can be reaped by oneworld partners working closer together. Cathay Pacific will be able to provide a much-improved service to our customers heading to and from North America. Moreover, the increased passenger traffic that will be generated by this partnership will make a significant contribution to strengthen Hong Kong`s position as Asia`s regional aviation hub—in itself a very important goal. “

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) in early January approved American`s application to provide the service in cooperation with Cathay Pacific Airways. This will be American`s first entry into the Hong Kong market.

American Airlines is the world`s largest carrier. American, in concert with American Eagle and the AmericanConnection regional carriers, makes up the American Airlines network. Together, they serve more than 250 cities in 41 countries and territories with approximately 4,400 daily flights. The combined network fleet numbers more than 1,100 aircraft. Only American provides More Room Throughout Coach for More Coach Passengers. American Airlines is a founding member of the oneworld alliance.

Through the oneworld alliance, American`s customers accrue and redeem AAdvantage miles, use airport lounges and other conveniences throughout the world. oneworld is the most international of the global airline alliances, serving more than 500 destinations in 134 countries. It consists of some of the best known, highest quality names in the airline business. Besides American Airlines and Cathay Pacific Airways, members include British Airways, Qantas, Iberia, Finnair, LanChile and Aer Lingus.

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