Air France-KLM & Etihad Airways have introduced plans to broaden their partnership, and this might have constructive implications for passengers.
Air France-KLM & Etihad launch new buyer initiatives
Air France-KLM and Etihad have had a partnership relationship again to 2012, although it traditionally hasn’t been that shut. It has included an interline settlement plus a restricted codeshare association, however will now be expanded.
The carriers have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aiming at enhancing collaboration alternatives throughout passenger operations, loyalty packages, expertise improvement, and upkeep. Topic to authorities approval, we might see the next:
- The codeshare settlement between the airways is being expanded considerably, to cowl 40 new routes throughout Europe, the Center East, Asia Pacific, and Australia
- We’ll see the introduction of frequent flyer reciprocity for Air France-KLM Flying Blue members and Etihad Visitor members, permitting members of each packages to earn and redeem miles on Air France, KLM, and Etihad
- The airways are additionally exploring terminal co-location, reciprocal lounge entry and floor dealing with, and extra
Etihad at the moment flies to each Amsterdam (AMS) and Paris (CDG), and as of October 2023, Air France will begin flying to Abu Dhabi (AUH).
This expanded partnership is nice for passengers
Typically there are considerations about what new partnerships imply for passengers. I’d say the proposed enlargement of this partnership is completely excellent news for frequent flyers.
My concern with airline partnerships is once we see joint ventures, the place airways coordinate fares and schedules, and it’s the equal of a competitor in a market being eradicated. That’s not the case right here. As an alternative we’re seeing a codeshare settlement and extra reciprocity, all of which is sweet for frequent flyers.
For Etihad, that is constructive by way of extra connectivity past Amsterdam and Paris. For Air France-KLM, that is good by way of having the ability to get passengers to lengthy haul locations that the airline doesn’t instantly serve. Passengers might fly Air France to Abu Dhabi, after which join onto an Etihad flight to Ho Chi Minh Metropolis, Sydney, and so forth.
It’s at all times fascinating to see how partnership with Gulf carriers evolve over time. The main US and European world carriers clearly view the Gulf carriers as being main competitors, given their in depth networks. Nevertheless, in some unspecified time in the future you notice that you just’re higher off working with them relatively than towards them.
I imply, at this level American has a strategic alliance with Qatar Airways, Air Canada and United have a partnership with Emirates, Qatar Airways owns a significant stake in IAG (the mother or father firm of British Airways), and so forth. In equity, Air France-KLM was by no means essentially the most anti-Gulf firm on the market, because the airline group has partnered with Etihad for over a decade now.
Backside line
Air France-KLM and Etihad are increasing their partnership. Along with rising their codeshare settlement, the carriers plan to introduce frequent flyer reciprocity, and even plan to co-locate in terminals and provide reciprocal lounge entry.
It is a nice improvement, and I can’t wait to study extra particulars.
What do you make of the brand new Air France-KLM and Etihad partnership?
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