ITA Airways codeshare with Etihad, first step in new partnership
In a press release today ITA Airways announced the signing of a codeshare agreement with Etihad. The partnership [...]
In a press release today, ITA Airways announced the signing of a codeshare agreement with Etihad.
In this article:
The partnership signed by the two national airlines of Italy and the United Arab Emirates means that flights currently operated by EY from Rome and Milan to Abu Dhabi will also be sold through ITA's website and will have an AZ flight number. Conversely, connections from Fiumicino to Genoa, Bari, Brindisi, Catania, and Palermo will also be sold by the Emirates airline and identified by the initials EY.
Tickets are already on sale for flights made on or after December 14.
The statement concludes with a small teaser: "The two airlines are working to expand the scope of their cooperation in the coming months and offer customers even more advantageous travel options."
The hope of many members of the ITA Airways' Flying program is that the collaboration will expand not only to intercontinental routes operated from Abu Dhabi but that, through points in the Italian carrier's new loyalty program, we can begin again to Book award tickets to fly with Etihad, as was the case with the Millemiglia program.
Other codeshare agreements
In recent months ITA Airways has announced many commercial agreements with many companies, including outside the Skyteam network, here is a quick summary of all the routes operated by AZ through these agreements.
Tap Air
ITA Airways will apply its codes on the flights operated by TAP Air between Rome, Milan, Venice and Lisbon, allowing its customers to fly directly between the two countries. Likewise, TAP Air Portugal will execute ITA Airways' code share on 13 domestic Italian destinations connecting beyond Rome Fiumicino Airport.
Air Europa
ITA Airways will apply its "AZ" code on services operated by Air Europa between Italy and Spain. Similarly, Air Europa will affix its code on AZ flights between Barcelona, Madrid and Rome, connecting the most important Italian and international airports in connection with the Rome Fiumicino hub.
Air Malta
ITA Airways will apply its "AZ" code on flights operated by Air Malta between Italy and Malta. Similarly, Air Malta will codeshare AZ flights between Malta and Rome, connecting major Italian airports in addition to the hubs of Rome Fiumicino and Milan Linate, in connection with international destinations.
In conclusion
The agreement with Etihad is certainly the most interesting of those signed to date. Of course, it will have to be seen how it will expand, as there are currently no plans to book onward flights beyond the UAE capital.
It is not specified in the press release, but this agreement should also cover the Recognition of statuses in their respective loyalty programs, thus also ensuring access to lounges in Abu Dhabi to passengers with elite level in ITA Airways' loyalty program.
- 6,000 Mile Registration Bonus
- Collect miles WITH EACH PURCHASE
- Your miles with no expiration*
- No fees for ATM withdrawals and foreign purchases
- Without having to change banks
- Autonomous card activation
- Multi-function mobile application
- Free travel insurance
- Free credit for up to 7 weeks
- Contactless Payment
- Mastercard® SecureCode