American Airlines and Jetstar Announce Codeshare and Interline Agreements

FORT WORTH, Texas, Oct. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- American Airlines and Jetstar, a Qantas Group airline, announced today that they have signed an agreement establishing a codeshare relationship between several destinations in New Zealand. American will place its AA* code on the following flights operated by Jetstar:

In addition, an interline agreement between American Airlines and Jetstar has been launched, delivering enhanced customer access for customers to or from the United States across Jetstar's growing Australian and New Zealand flight networks, now totaling more than 20 destinations.

Members of American's AAdvantage® program are able to earn mileage credit on all American-marketed flights. Jetstar flights marketed under the Qantas (QF*) code are also eligible for award redemption.

"We're very pleased to announce our agreement with Jetstar, a wholly-owned subsidiary of our oneworld® partner Qantas. Jetstar has established itself as a world-leading low-fare airline for customers in Australia, New Zealand and Asia. The relationship we announced today will add significant value for our customers traveling throughout New Zealand," said Virasb Vahidi, American's Chief Commercial Officer.

Jetstar Group Chief Executive Officer Bruce Buchanan said: "Our proposed codeshare agreement with American Airlines will enable its customers to combine travel on Jetstar, American Airlines and other codeshare carriers such as Qantas as part of a single booking," Buchanan said.

Jetstar operates multiple daily services to four key destinations within New Zealand, including its hub at Auckland as well as Christchurch, Queenstown, and Wellington.

"As the second largest airline in New Zealand and the fastest growing in our core Australian market, customers of American Airlines will gain even greater flexibility, convenience and choice of destinations when traveling to or within both countries," said Buchanan.

American currently serves Australia and the Asia-Pacific with codeshare service (AA*) on oneworld partner Qantas to Auckland, Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane from its Los Angeles gateway.  With hubs in Sydney and Singapore, Jetstar serves 18 countries in the Asia-Pacific region with nearly 2,000 flights a week. Implementation of the codeshare arrangement is contingent upon certain governmental and regulatory approvals.

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 Jetstar

Jetstar is Qantas Group's low cost airline brand. Jetstar is a wholly owned subsidiary of Qantas Group yet it has separate management. Based in Melbourne, Australia, Jetstar commenced operations on 25 May 2004 and is both the world's largest low-cost long haul carrier and now largest LCC in Asia. The Jetstar Brands comprise its core Australian based (domestic and short/long haul international operations), Jetstar New Zealand operations (domestic and current trans Tasman international services), Jetstar Asia (based in Singapore), and Jetstar Pacific (domestic operations in Vietnam). Profitable since start-up, the company's bold and distinctive brand is indicative of the fresh and vibrant approach toward low cost travel in the Asia Pacific region. Jetstar's strong association with Qantas ensures the highest standards of operational excellence, whilst delivering real savings to customers through its discipline to low cost/high efficiency services and consistent value based offering. Visit Jetstar.com.

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SOURCE American Airlines