American Introducing Frequent Flyer Benefits and Lounge Access With China Southern

by Gary Leff

airline canada
Nov 28 2018

With China Southern leaving the SkyTeam alliance next year American Airlines — which owns a $200 million stake in the Chinese carrier — will be expanding its codesharing relationship next year. Along with that will come reciprocal mileage-earning and redemption and reciprocal lounge access.

Ultimately this will be a huge net add for AAdvantage members looking to travel to Asia, unless dominoes fall further and eventually push Cathay Pacific out of oneworld. That would not be a worthwhile tradeoff.

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Is Royal Air Maroc About to Join oneworld?

by Gary Leff

Royal Air Maroc plane
Nov 27 2018

oneworld is about to celebrate its 20th anniversary. They have their governing board meeting next week in New York.

Government-owned Royal Air Maroc, based in Casablanca, would fill a huge gap for oneworld in Africa. The airline has been inching closer to oneworld members Qatar and Iberia, and an agreement to use Avios as their mileage currency. They start service to a new American Airlines hub in April.

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ANA Introducing New First Class Suites With Doors

by Gary Leff

airline food
Nov 27 2018

Star Alliance carrier ANA is introducing Airbus A380 service between Tokyo and Honolulu. They didn’t really want A380s, but it’s how they got Airbus’ support as a creditor to take over bankrupt Skymark. This new Hawaii service will launch May 24.

We’ve now learned more about the inflight product as well including details of unique business class, coach (“joined to create a lie flat bed”) and first class.

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