Update: As reported by One Mile at a Time the Air Canada-Etihad mileage-earning partnership is not quite ready to launch after all.

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Over the summer I reported a rumor that Etihad was in talks to join Star Alliance. That rumor heated up substantially in February.

I never heard that things were as imminent as some were reporting, but certainly figured taking a cautious approach and making redemptions right away made sense if you were planning to do so with American AAdvantage miles.

Etihad already partners with Lufthansa and was even rumored to be taking an equity stake in the German anchor to the Star Alliance. They also have been codesharing with Star Alliance members Aegean, ANA, Air Canada, Asiana, Brussels Airlines, Lufthansa, SAS, SWISS, TAP Air Portugal, and Turkish.

Now it appears that Etihad is joining Air Canada’s Aeroplan as an earning member. You’ll be able to credit Etihad flights to Aeroplan. (HT: Rewards Canada)

• At this time there’s no status miles-earning on Etihad for Aeroplan members
  
• And no redemption of Aeroplan miles for travel on Etihad
  
• Details of how many miles will be earned for bookings in each fare class are not yet online

ETIHAD AIRWAYS JOINS AEROPLAN AS A NEW AIRLINE PARTNER

As of May 1, 2019, Aeroplan Members can earn Aeroplan Miles with Etihad Airways.

Founded in 2003, Etihad Airways is the national carrier of the emirate of Abu Dhabi, based at Abu Dhabi International Airport. The airline flies to over 110 destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia and the Americas with their fleet of over 120 aircraft. As a global carrier, it has expanded its network at a rapid pace, and won acclaim for its exceptional service.

Aeroplan Miles earned on all eligible Etihad Airways flights do not count toward Air Canada Altitude™ status.

Star Alliance™ Gold and Silver Benefits are not extended by Etihad Airways.

Etihad is a once-great airline that’s been retrenching but still offers a wonderful product compared to what most US customers are used to.

Joining an alliance is a long, expensive process. Onboarding a new alliance member generally takes about a year and a half. When others were predicting alliance membership was imminent I suggest that “[t]hey might just grow their partnerships with individual airlines” and so far that’s all we’ve seen.