American Airlines Launches Codeshare Flights on Brazil’s GOL Airlines
FORT WORTH, Texas, Sept. 10 /PRNewswire/ — American Airlines, which offers more flights to Brazil than any other U.S. airline, has launched codesharing on flights operated by GOL Airlines between Sao Paulo and Salvador, Belem, Brasilia, Curitiba, Fortaleza, Manaus, Natal, Porto Alegre and Recife, as well as between Rio de Janeiro and Porto Alegre.
The codeshare agreement between American and GOL offers customers a smoother, more-convenient travel experience when flying to and from points in Brazil not served by American. With its service to five major Brazilian cities from the United States, combined with GOL's flights to 51 destinations in Brazil, American offers a level of accessibility between the U.S. and Brazil unequalled by any other airline.
Members of American's AAdvantage® program will continue to earn AAdvantage miles on GOL flights as well as on these new American codeshare flights operated by GOL. Members are also able to redeem miles for travel on GOL flights. The new agreement also expands the opportunities for AAdvantage members to earn miles, points and segments that count toward qualification for elite status membership when traveling on the American codeshare flight (booked using the AA flight number) to the additional destinations flown on GOL.
"This codeshare agreement with GOL makes it even more convenient for travelers to see more of Brazil, South America's largest country," said Peter Dolara, American's Senior Vice President for Mexico, the Caribbean and Latin America. "Our customers traveling to and from Brazil will now have an unparalleled choice of destinations and schedules. We are proud to be able to connect more people throughout the world through our new arrangement with GOL."
With the codeshare agreement in effect, customers transferring from GOL to an American Airlines flight leaving Brazil will enjoy the convenience of being able to check their luggage through to their final American Airlines destination when they check in for their GOL flight. Similarly, customers traveling to Brazil on American and transferring to a GOL flight within Brazil, or elsewhere in South America, can purchase a single ticket for their journey, rather than multiple tickets, and check their luggage to their final destination. As always, customers will still have to clear U.S. and Brazilian customs upon arrival.
Along with convenient ticketing and luggage arrangements, American and GOL also offer affordable interline fares for both Premium Class and Economy Class travel. Interline tickets for travel between American and GOL can be purchased through American and its appointed agencies around the world, using electronic ticketing.
American serves five destinations in Brazil from Miami International Airport, New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport and Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, while GOL operates more than 860 daily flights to 51 destinations connecting the most important cities in Brazil and nine major destinations in other countries in South America.
American is expanding its service to Brazil, adding both flight frequencies and new destinations to its worldwide network. In November 2010, American plans to begin service from its Miami hub to Brasilia**, and from New York-JFK* to Rio de Janeiro. American is also seeking authority from the Department of Transportation to operate new nonstop service from Dallas/Fort Worth to Rio de Janeiro***. With these additional flights, American will offer a total of 72 weekly flights to and from Brazil.
Following is a summary of American's U.S. – Brazil routes, including new flights scheduled to begin in November 2010:
American Airlines Brazil Service Summary
Sao Paulo – Dallas/Fort Worth, Miami, New York JFK
Rio de Janeiro – Miami, New York JFK*, Dallas/Fort Worth***
Belo Horizonte – Miami
Recife – Miami
Salvador – Miami
Brasilia – Miami**
*Scheduled to begin Nov. 19, 2010, pending government approval
**Scheduled to begin Nov. 18, 2010, pending government approval
***Application pending at DOT; proposed start-up date Nov. 18, 2010
About American Airlines
American Airlines, American Eagle and AmericanConnection® serve 250 cities in 40 countries with, on average, more than 3,400 daily flights. The combined network fleet numbers more than 900 aircraft. American's award-winning website, AA.com®, provides users with easy access to check and book fares, plus personalized news, information and travel offers. American Airlines is a founding member of the oneworld® Alliance, which brings together some of the best and biggest names in the airline business, enabling them to offer their customers more services and benefits than any airline can provide on its own. Together, its members serve nearly 700 destinations in more than 130 countries and territories. American Airlines, Inc. and American Eagle Airlines, Inc. are subsidiaries of AMR Corporation. AmericanAirlines, American Eagle, AmericanConnection, AA.com, We know why you fly and AAdvantage are registered trademarks of American Airlines, Inc. (NYSE: AMR)
About the AAdvantage Program
The AAdvantage program was the first frequent flyer program. Established in 1981, the program now has more than 60 million members. Members can earn miles at more than 1,000 participating companies, which include more than 30 hotel chains representing more than 60 brands, more than 20 airlines, eight car-rental companies, 12 financial companies, and over 250 brand name retailers. In addition, members can earn miles when making purchases with one of more than 100 affinity card products in over 40 countries. In 2008, AAdvantage members redeemed more than 155 billion miles to claim more than 4.8 million awards for flights, upgrades and car rentals. For more information and a listing of AAdvantage program participating companies, visit www.aa.com/aadvantage.
About GOL
GOL Linhas Aereas Inteligentes S.A. (NYSE: GOL; BM&FBOVESPA: GOLL4), (S&P/Fitch: BB-/BB-, Moody's: Ba3), the largest low-cost and low-fare airline in Latin America, offers more than 860 daily flights to 51 destinations that connect all the important cities in Brazil and 12 major destinations in South America and the Caribbean. The Company operates a young, modern fleet of Boeing 737 Next Generation aircraft, the safest and most comfortable of its class, with high aircraft utilization and efficiency levels. Fully committed to seeking innovative solutions through the use of cutting-edge technology, the Company – via its GOL, VARIG, GOLLOG, SMILES and VOE FACIL brands – offers its clients easy payment facilities, a wide range of complementary services and the best cost-benefit ratio in the market.
About SMILES
SMILES is GOL and VARIG's mileage program, with 7 million members. Miles are earned every time the customer flies GOL, VARIG and partner airlines, or whenever a service is contracted or products are purchased from the 160 partner companies of the program within Brazil and abroad.
AmericanAirlines® We know why you fly®
SOURCE American Airlines