Etihad Airways strengthens interline and codeshare alliances with six airlines

Etihad Airways has launched reciprocal interline partnerships with three new airline partners: Philippine Airlines, Austrian Airlines and Airlink South Africa, while re-launching interline links with Biman Bangladesh and codeshares with Air Seychelles and ITA Airways.

The deal means customers of all airlines involved will enjoy enhanced connectivity to destinations across each other’s networks, can book on a single ticket and only have to check in once at the start of their flight, with their baggage checked through to their end destination.

Arik De, Etihad’s chief revenue officer, said: “Broadening our network reach, and allowing more guests to come visit Abu Dhabi has always guided our purpose.

“These six interline/code agreements make life easier for guests of all the airlines involved. With Austrian Airlines, this tie-in gives our guests access to up to 58 European destinations via Vienna, operated by Etihad daily during the summer, and joins the other four members of the Lufthansa Group with whom we already have interline or codeshare agreements.

“Our deal with Airlink South Africa gives connecting guests via our Johannesburg flight seamless access to 16 domestic destinations in South Africa, and 25 regional African destinations and it complements our existing options with South African Airways.”

Teaming up with Philippine Airlines and other carriers

De added: “Teaming up with Philippine Airlines provides easy access to 19 domestic Filipino destinations including Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, Davao and Kalibo, to and from Etihad’s double daily Manila service, for the large Filipino diaspora living in the UAE.

“Our links with Biman and Air Seychelles were affected by those airlines’ own system migrations over the last 12 months, so we’re pleased to re-connect with them to complement our own Dhaka and Mahe services and offer further destinations, such as Chittagong and Praslin.

“Etihad’s successful partnership with ITA Airways over Rome Fiumicino to Italy, Europe and beyond has also been restored following ITA’s own Amadeus Altea migration in February.”

The expanded interline and codeshare offerings will be progressively rolled out across the airline’s sales channels, website, and travel agents, over the coming weeks.

Switching to PSS

In other news, Etihad Airways has successfully switched to the Amadeus Altéa Passenger Service System (PSS).

To celebrate Etihad Airways has launched a flash sale on etihad.com, with 20 per cent discounts on flights until Tuesday, March 14.

The move to Amadeus Altéa was completed during an overnight switchover on March 8.

All Etihad Airways flights between Abu Dhabi and its global network of airports are now being managed with the Amadeus Altéa suite of travel technology, which offers a faster and simpler check-in and boarding process.

“The move to Amadeus has been the largest IT project we have undertaken in the last decade with more than 100 IT processes moved over, and over 6,000 colleagues trained to use the new system.

“Every single element of the transition was planned and rehearsed with scrupulous testing at every stage. I want to thank all our colleagues and business partners who worked so hard to make this happen,” said Antonoaldo Neves, Etihad’s chief executive officer.

Read: Abu Dhabi’s Etihad announces flash sale, offers up to 20% discount

While the interline agreements will expand the carrier’s reach, Etihad Airways is also launching a direct service between Abu Dhabi and Lisbon, starting on July 2.

Expanding its European network, the carrier will link Abu Dhabi to the Portuguese capital city to coincide with the summer holiday season.

Also read: Etihad Airways to launch direct service to Lisbon in summer

Jet, set, go! ? Introducing our new summer routes to Lisbon, Malaga and Mykonos☀️. Endless adventures and unforgettable experiences are only a click away. On sale now at https://t.co/k8tIIdcKvL pic.twitter.com/ietVF0G4n8

— Etihad Airways (@etihad) February 17, 2023

The service will comprise three weekly flights, operating on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Sundays.

Etihad Airways is boosting its flights to Bangkok, Thailand by doubling its frequency. From March 26, the airline will fly twice a day on the Abu Dhabi – Bangkok route, taking the total number of weekly nonstop services to Bangkok Airport to 14.