Northwest and China Southern Forge Partnership
Northwest Airlines, China’s longest-serving U.S. airline, and China Southern Airlines, the largest airline in the People’s Republic of China, today announced a new
partnership that will allow each of the carriers to offer their customers
new benefits. The carriers announced that beginning April 15, 2005, members of
Northwest’s WorldPerks frequent flyer program will be able to earn and
redeem miles on flights operated by China Southern and marketed with the
airline’s two letter “CZ” code. At the same time, members of China
Southern’s Sky Pearl Club frequent flyer program will be able to earn and
redeem miles on Northwest-operated flights that are marketed with
Northwest’s “NW” code.
“Our new partnership with China Southern builds on our established
presence in China and provides our customers with seamless benefits on the
most extensive domestic route network in China,” said Gary Fishman, senior
vice president of alliances at Northwest Airlines. “As the only U.S.
airline serving Guangzhou, Northwest is able to offer unmatched access to
China Southern’s home airport, and we look forward to China Southern’s
eventual entry into the SkyTeam alliance of airlines.”
Northwest and China Southern also announced a reciprocal airport lounge
program, enabling eligible customers to access more lounges. Members of
Northwest’s WorldClubs program, customers flying World Business Class and
WorldPerks members residing in Asia who have achieved Platinum Elite or
Gold Elite status will enjoy access to any of China Southern’s eight
airport lounges located throughout China. Gold and Silver members of China
Southern’s Sky Pearl Club, as well as its first and business class
customers, will be able to access any of Northwest’s 22 WorldClubs.
“We are proud today to join hands with Northwest in this new marketing
opportunity and lend significant new services to our customers,” said Mr.
Li Kun, executive vice president, China Southern Airlines. Mr. Li added
that, “with more than 700 people joining our Sky Pearl Club every single
day, we continued to look for expanded benefits and this new program with
Northwest will meet that important need.”
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