Cathay Pacific Airways and American Airlines Expand Codeshare Relationship

American Airlines and oneworld-alliance partner Cathay Pacific Airways have expanded their codeshare relationship.

The expanded codeshare relationship includes Cathay Pacific’s new daily service between Chicago O’Hare International Airport and Hong Kong International Airport, as well as the carrier’s existing daily service between Hong Kong and Ho Chi Minh City. American Airlines says the new Ho Chi Minh City codeshare gives it a stronger presence in Southeast Asia.

With the addition of these flights, which will feature American’s ‘AA’ flight prefix from September 1 (the day that Cathay Pacific Airways begins its Chicago-Hong Kong service), the codeshare agreement between American and Cathay Pacific Airways includes 23 markets in North America and eight markets throughout Asia.

“Our partnership with Cathay Pacific gives American’s customers expanded access to destinations in China and the rest of Asia,” says Virasb Vahidi, American’s chief commercial officer. “With this codeshare expansion, our customers now have more options for travel between North America and Asia.”

American Airlines and Cathay Pacific Airways have been codesharing since 2003 on several transpacific, U.S. domestic and intra-Asia flights.

Recently, Cathay Pacific expanded the agreement by adding its code on domestic services between Chicago O’Hare International Airport and 11 U.S. markets served by American or American Eagle. This expansion was made possible because of Cathay Pacific’s new service to Chicago, and the increased connectivity it offers to customers travelling on the networks of both carriers.

Airlines Canceled More Than 200 Flights Today at Chicago’s O’Hare International

Airlines canceled more than 200 flights today at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport as the second day of a Midwestern storm caused flight delays averaging 45 minutes.

Winds may reach as much as 60 miles per hour (97 kilometers per hour) today in the Chicago area, according to the National Weather Service. A high-wind warning is in effect through 7 p.m. local time.

More than 450 flights were canceled yesterday at the second-biggest U.S. airport, according to the Chicago Department of Aviation. O’Hare is a hub for United Continental Holdings Inc. and AMR Corp.’s American Airlines.

The storm knocked out power to thousands in Illinois, Indiana and Michigan. The cyclonic system’s upper-atmosphere wind speeds topped 100 mph, said Jeff Masters, co-founder of Weather Underground in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

At Chicago’s Midway, airlines are reporting “minor” delays today, according to the aviation department. Midway’s largest carrier is Southwest Airlines Co.

Airlines at RIC To Increase Flights to New York, Chicago

Airlines are increasing Richmond International Airport service to some of regional travelers’ most popular destinations.

American Airlines will add two daily trips to Chicago O’Hare International Airport starting April 6, bringing its daily weekday count to five, said RIC’s Troy Bell.

United Airlines also serves that route, he noted, so that the two air-carrier groups combined will offer 11 daily roundtrips between Richmond and Chicago. The American flights will use 50-seat regional jets for the nonstop service.

“The fact that we have meaningful competition to one of our largest markets is significant,” Bell said. “United and American, two major carriers, are competing for the business of Richmond regional travelers.”
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American Eagle Airlines Begin Flight Service Between O’Hare International Airport and Tri-Cities Regional Airport

American Eagle Airlines, the regional affiliate of American Airlines, will begin nonstop jet service between Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) and Tri-Cities Regional Airport (TRI) beginning July 2. The Tri-Cities airport is centrally located between the cities of Bristol, Kingsport and Johnson City, Tenn., and serves the communities of Northeast Tennessee, Southwest Virginia, and Western North Carolina. Eagle will operate the service with 44-seat Embraer ERJ-140 jets.

“American Airlines was the first carrier to operate at Tri-Cities Regional Airport, launching service Sept. 1, 1937, and we are delighted to bring the American brand back, with service to the Tri-Cities area from our hub in Chicago,” said Gary Foss, Vice President – Planning and Marketing for the AA Regional Network. “From the Birthplace of Country Music to NASCAR racing at the Bristol Motor Speedway, the Tri-Cities area has a tremendous amount to offer. Read more