Aer Lingus and American Airlines have launched a new codeshare agreement taking effect from 11 January.
The deal allows Aer Lingus customers to book codeshare flights on American Airlines routes from Chicago's O'Hare International to Albuquerque, Nashville, Dallas-Fort Worth, Los Angeles, Seattle, San Francisco, San Jose and Tucson.
Meanwhile, American will place its code on Aer Lingus flights between Heathrow and Dublin, as well as on flights from Dublin to Birmingham, Manchester and Gatwick.
The code will also be applied to Aer Lingus’ Dublin-Amsterdam flights and on Heathrow to Cork, Shannon and Belfast routes.
The Irish carrier, which is part of International Airlines Group alongside British Airways and Iberia, intends a further expansion of the codeshare partnership with American Airlines “in the near future”.
Aer Lingus joined the Atlantic Joint Business between American Airlines, British Airways, Iberia and Finnair last year.
Reid Moody, Aer Lingus’ chief strategy and planning officer, said: “We are delighted that through the codeshare agreement with American Airlines, Aer Lingus customers will be able to avail of greater connectivity options and more seamless travel between the US and Europe, via our Dublin hub, which also has the added benefit of US Customs & Border Protection pre-clearance located in Dublin.
“Last week’s decision by the Irish government to remove pre-departure Covid-19 test requirements for double-vaccinated passengers is more welcome news for those planning to travel.”