United Airlines and Avianca have signed a codeshare agreement to offer their customers more and improved flight options.

The agreement allows both companies to commercialize flights operated by the other under their own code. The airlines also signed a frequent flyer agreement which enables reciprocal accrual and redemption benefits on the passengers’ loyalty program of choice.

Avianca’s customers will be able to fly seamlessly to more destinations in the United States, while United customers will benefit from greater access to Colombian destinations. The codeshare agreement is effective for ticket purchase starting on May 22, 2012 for travel starting June 21.

The frequent flyer agreement will be effective starting June 21. These agreements form part of the integration process that Avianca and TACA Airlines are undergoing to become member of Star Alliance.

“We continue to enhance our world-class network by adding more destinations for our customers,” said Hershel Kamen, United’s Senior Vice President of Alliances, Regulatory and Policy. “United’s partnership with Avianca will expand our own network across Colombia and create more benefits for our customers.”

“We are confident that this agreement opens new travel possibilities that benefit our customers. This codeshare joins together two regions through seamless travel on United Airlines and Avianca, providing more and better connectivity and enabling customers to enjoy an improved flight experience,” said Alex Benitez, Vice-President Alliances, Fleet and Network Planning for AviancaTaca. “We continue to harness new opportunities as markets grow and work towards delivering improved connectivity and new routes for our passengers.”

Markets Served by the Agreement, Phase I

The first phase of implementation enables Avianca’s passengers to travel to Denver, Chicago, New York/Newarkand Houston, via Miami; to Houston, via Fort Lauderdale; and to Boston, Cleveland, Denver, New Orleans, Chicago, Phoenix, Raleigh-Durham, San Antonio, Seattle, and Tampa, via Washington D.C./Dulles. It also offers United customers the opportunity to travel to Barranquilla, Cali, Cartagena, Medellin, and Pereira via Avianca’s hub in Bogota; to Barranquilla, Cartagena, Cali, Medellin, and Bogota, via Miami; and to Bogota via Fort Lauderdale, Washington, D.C./Dulles, New York/JFK, and Orlando.
Passenger Benefits

Avianca, www.avianca.com; United Airlines, www.united.com