China Eastern Airlines signs codeshare pact with Etihad Airways

China Eastern Airlines recently signed a codeshare agreement with UAE’s national flag carrier Etihad Airways. The landmark codeshare pact has now come into effect and is aimed at benefiting each other’s route networks.

The new codeshare agreement will allow China Eastern Airlines flights code to be placed on Etihad Airways. Similarly, the flight code of Etihad Airways would also be able to be placed on China Eastern Airlines flights.

China Eastern Airlines in a statement said that its flight code on Etihad Airways flights will help it to expand its network to destinations that are not currently on its flight network. The airline also stated that the codeshare pact will help Etihad Airways to expand its network to destinations within China beyond China Eastern Airline’s Shanghai hub.

According to China Eastern Airlines, the codeshare agreement will also allow both the carriers to offer reciprocal benefits like mileage earn and burn to the members of each other’s frequent flyer programs – Etihad Guest and Eastern Miles – during the fourth quarter of 2012.

China Eastern Airlines will initially place its flight code on Etihad Airways flights between Abu Dhabi and Shanghai.