Brazil's Gol Airlines and US's American Airlines have strengthened their alliance by finalizing a codeshare agreement to place American's AA code on Gol's network of flights within Brazil. Both airlines expect to implement the codeshare as soon as all government approvals are received.
The codeshare agreement not only adds more cities to American's network in Brazil, but also will offer customers a smoother, more-convenient travel experience, according to the companies.
American, a founding member of the Oneworld alliance, is the largest U.S. airline to Brazil, currently serving the five major Brazilian cities of São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Belo Horizonte, Recife, and Salvador nonstop from gateways in Miami, New York and Dallas/Fort Worth.
Gol is one of South America's largest airlines offering service to 49 destinations in Brazil. The new codeshare agreement, says Gol, will allow American to offer a level of accessibility in Brazil unequalled by any other U.S. airline.
In addition, American and Gol are further strengthening their relationship for members of both airlines' frequent flyer programs – American's AAdvantage and Gol's Smiles programs.
In August of this year, American and Gol implemented the ability for AAdvantage and Smiles members to accrue frequent flyer mileage credit on both airlines. The next step, in early 2010, will allow members of American's AAdvantage program to redeem travel awards on Gol.
"We're very pleased to expand our cooperation with Gol to add significant value for our customers," said Gerard Arpey, American's Chairman and CEO.
"The combination of the widest choice of destinations and schedules, coupled with the AAdvantage and Smiles relationship, is going to bring customers an enhanced level of service of which we are very proud."
"We are extremely pleased to expand our relationship with American Airlines. Our codeshare cooperation will provide American's customers the benefits of Gol's quality services and comprehensive flight network," said Constantino de Oliveira Junior, Gol's CEO. "Additionally, our frequent flyer program agreement is a great benefit for our respective loyalty program members."
American serves five nonstop destinations in Brazil with 58 weekly flights to and from Miami International Airport, New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport, and Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. Gol operates nearly 800 daily flights to 49 cities in Brazil and 10 destinations elsewhere in South America and the Caribbean.
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.
