American Airlines and Canada's WestJet Airlines Announce Comprehensive Codeshare and Frequent Flyer Relationship

FORT WORTH, Texas and CALGARY, Alberta, Feb. 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- American Airlines and WestJet Airlines announced today they have entered into a comprehensive codeshare agreement, providing customers with more choices and greater connectivity when travelling between the United States and Canada.

The codeshare relationship, which is subject to regulatory approvals, will allow American to place its AA* code on WestJet flights, and WestJet to place its WS* code on flights of American Airlines and American Eagle.

The placement of AA* code on WestJet flights will provide American's customers seamless connecting service to up to 20 Canadian cities not currently served by American or American Eagle.  WestJet will initially place its WS* code on American or American Eagle flights from Canada to Chicago and Boston, with expanded service throughout the American Airlines network expected in the near future. The codeshare agreement will make it easier and more convenient for customers to connect from WestJet to American's global route network and from American to WestJet's Canadian operations.

Members of the American Airlines AAdvantage® program and WestJet's Frequent Guest Program® will be able to earn miles or rewards on the codeshare flights, providing customers another benefit of the enhanced relationship. The two airlines are exploring other ways to augment their cooperation in the future.

"Our codeshare with WestJet will further expand our North American network and provide our customers seamless connections to and from cities throughout Canada," said Virasb Vahidi, American's Chief Commercial Officer. "As a valuable result of NAFTA economic integration and the open skies aviation agreement between Canada and the United States, Canada has become an ever more important business and leisure destination for travelers from the U.S."

"This agreement with American Airlines marks an important milestone in WestJet's history," said Hugh Dunleavy, WestJet's Executive Vice-President, Strategy and Planning. "WestJet is executing our strategic plan to evolve our interline and codeshare capabilities, and in particular, these initial routes should immediately enhance our reach and value proposition to business and corporate travelers in central Canada in particular. We are very pleased to see the success of our efforts as we enter the first codeshare where WestJet will actively sell on another airline. We look forward to a successful relationship with American."

Shortly after all regulatory approvals are received, customers will be able to book these codeshare itineraries through travel agencies, most major North American online travel agency websites, www.aa.com, American Airlines Reservations at 800-433-7300, www.westjet.com or the WestJet Sales Super Centre at 1-888-937-8538.

About American Airlines

American Airlines, American Eagle and AmericanConnection® serve 250 cities in 40 countries with, on average, more than 3,400 daily flights. The combined network fleet numbers more than 900 aircraft. American's award-winning website, AA.com®, provides users with easy access to check and book fares, plus personalized news, information and travel offers. American Airlines is a founding member of the oneworld® Alliance, which brings together some of the best and biggest names in the airline business, enabling them to offer their customers more services and benefits than any airline can provide on its own. Together, its members serve nearly 700 destinations in more than 130 countries and territories. American Airlines, Inc. and American Eagle Airlines, Inc. are subsidiaries of AMR Corporation. AmericanAirlines, American Eagle, AmericanConnection, AA.com, We know why you fly and AAdvantage are trademarks of American Airlines, Inc. (NYSE: AMR)

About the AAdvantage® Program

The AAdvantage program was the first frequent flyer program. Established in 1981, the program now has more than 66 million members. Members can earn miles at more than 1,000 participating companies, which include 27 hotel chains representing more than 60 brands, more than 20 airlines, eight car-rental companies, 11 financial companies, and over 500 brand name retailers. In addition, members can earn miles when making purchases with one of more than 100 affinity card products in over 40 countries. In 2010, AAdvantage members redeemed more than 165 billion miles to claim just fewer than 7.2 million awards for flights, upgrades and car rentals. For more information and a listing of AAdvantage program participating companies, visit www.aa.com/aadvantage.

About WestJet

WestJet is Canada's favourite airline, offering scheduled service throughout its 71-city North American and Caribbean network. Inducted into Canada's Most Admired Corporate Cultures Hall of Fame and named one of Canada's best employers, WestJet pioneered low-cost flying in Canada. Named a J.D. Power 2011 Customer Service Champion, WestJet offers increased legroom, leather seats and live seatback television provided by Bell TV on its modern fleet of 93 Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft. With future confirmed deliveries for an additional 42 aircraft through 2018, WestJet strives to be one of the five most successful international airlines in the world.

Caution regarding forward-looking statements

Certain information set forth in this news release, including information regarding the codeshare relationship between WestJet and American Airlines, customer services, regulatory approvals, interline and codeshare capabilities, growth strategy and corporate vision, contain forward-looking statements. By their nature, forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, some of which are beyond WestJet's and American Airlines control. These forward-looking statements are based on the codeshare agreement between WestJet and American Airlines and currently available implementation plans, but may vary due to factors including, but not limited to, the ability of the two carriers to effectively implement the codeshare relationship and obtain the necessary regulatory approvals relating thereto and other factors described in WestJet's and American Airlines public reports and filings. WestJet's public reports and filings are available on WestJet's profile at www.sedar.com, and American Airlines files public reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Readers are cautioned that undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements as actual results may vary materially from the forward-looking statements. WestJet and American Airlines do not undertake to update, correct or revise any forward-looking statements as a result of any new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable law.

Current AMR Corp. releases can be accessed on the Internet.

The address is http://www.aa.com

SOURCE American Airlines; WestJet Airlines