United, Air China ink alliance

United, Air China ink alliance

BEIJING: U.S.based United Airlines and Air China have inked a deal to share codes on their flights between China and the United States, state press reported on Friday.

The agreement also includes the sharing of frequent flyer programs and shared airport lounges, the China Daily reported.

In total the two airlines will offer 26 non-stop code-sharing flights a week between the two countries.

"The new relationship will help expand United's worldwide network and access to China," the newspaper quoted United president Glenn Tilton as saying.

Code-sharing alliances help airlines to extend their networks, allowing the them to book more customers to additional destinations on each others' routes.

Under the terms with Air China, United will expand its service from Beijing and Shanghai to the Chinese cities of Guangzhou, Shenyang, Xian, Fuzhou and Shenzhen. --AFP