El Al and American Airlines Announced Today in Tel Aviv That the Code Share Agreement Between El Al and American Airlines Has Begun

El Al and American Airlines reached a code share agreement in December 2007, including dozens of flight destinations in North America.

For the first time, using one airline ticket, El Al passengers can fly comfortably and conveniently to and from a wide range of USA and Canadian destinations, via European or American airports.

The shared flights will begin operating from September 2008.

During the first stage, using only one ticket, passengers will be able to fly via one of El Al’s direct North American destinations, or via one of El Al’s European destinations, to major cities such as Chicago, Miami, Boston, San Francisco, Dallas and Washington, D.C.

A few weeks later, in the second stage, the choice of destination cities will expand to include Orlando, Las Vegas, Seattle, San Diego, San Jose, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Tampa, Denver, Honolulu, Montreal and more.

Chaim Romano, President of El Al: “We are proud to link up to the aviation giant, American Airlines, a company with a fine reputation for 80 years. Its size and range of services speak for themselves. The code share agreement between El Al and American Airlines is an important, major strategic step that will open up a broad range of travel possibilities for Israeli passengers. In international aviation terms, El Al is a boutique airline, but the leader on the Tel Aviv – North America route. By joining forces with the largest airline in the world, El Al combines its intimate and personal service relationship that makes it so unique, with the might, capacity and range of possibilities of American Airlines.”

In recognition of the start of the cooperation, Maria Sebastian, American Airlines Vice President Sales and Marketing, Europe, Middle East and Africa, is visiting Israel: “This code share agreement will greatly extend travel options for our customers between North America and Israel. El Al is a world-class airline and we are delighted to be code sharing with them. We look forward to welcoming El Al passengers on our flights,” said Maria Sebastian.

Information about the code share agreement between El Al and American Airlines

Under this agreement, at this time, El Al passengers can fly via each of the El Al direct destinations in North America – New York, Los Angeles and Toronto – to six key American Airlines destinations throughout the USA. As stated, the number of onward destinations will be expanded and increased to about 22.

In addition, the agreement enables El Al passengers to fly between North America and Israel, with a stop (or stay) at one of El Al’s key European destinations, where the transatlantic sector is flown on American Airlines. This arrangement considerably extends the flexibility of choice for passengers; in addition to the option of choosing a non-stop flight, passengers can plan to mix, say, a direct flight to one of dozens of North American destinations in one direction (with a change of plane at a USA airport), with a flight in the other direction that connects at a European airport – with layover possibilities if the passenger so chooses. The transit and connection arrangements included in the agreement guarantee passengers maximum convenience and timesaving.

The frequent flyer club agreements make it all the more worthwhile for frequent flyer members. The lounge agreement thus enables passengers in the Premium Classes to relax in American Airlines lounges.

The agreement permits both airlines free-sale possibilities of airline tickets on each other’s aircraft, to all the destinations that are included in the code-share agreement. These include, amongst others, Boston, Chicago, Washington, D.C., Las Vegas, San Francisco, St. Louis, Orlando, Denver, Pittsburgh, San Diego, Cleveland and Honolulu.

Flights to and from Israel are operated through any of El Al’s non-stop flights to the USA and Canada – Kennedy Airport and Newark in New York; Los Angeles; and Toronto – or through one of El Al’s key airports in Europe – London (Heathrow), Paris, Madrid, Zurich, and later also through Barcelona and other European cities.

For the first time, El Al passengers can now also reserve onward connecting flights to dozens of USA destinations, all on one El Al ticket, using the reservation system of the Company’s website www.elal.co.il

The new agreement also enables passengers to check in at the originating airport for the entire flight sequence to the final destination, including seat assignments. Upon departure from Israel, the passenger gets a boarding card with details of the flights, their departure times, and the seat number assigned on each flight segment. It should be noted that landings en route in the USA or Canada require border entry procedures and that baggage be collected for the transfer. This is arranged with maximum convenience that enables transferal of baggage to the connecting flight as close as possible to the check in counter.

Club Members earn points even on connecting flights

The extension of the agreement between the two companies enables members of the frequent flyer club to earn points even on connecting flights within North America. Points accumulated for flights operated by American Airlines (with an LY flight number) will be added to the members’ points that enable club members to upgrade to a higher class, or take a commercial upgrade.

Business all the way – onward connections in American Airlines Premium Cabin

El Al’s Premium Class passengers can now fly in the Premium Class cabin of American Airlines on their connecting domestic flights.

About El Al

El Al Israel Airlines is Israel’s national carrier. The Company’s annual revenues total about $1.93 billion, and it flies over 1.8 million passengers a year. El Al serves about 40 destinations directly and many other destinations around the globe through cooperation agreements with other airlines. The fleet consists of 36 aircraft, 30 of which are self-owned. El Al is Israel’s leading cargo carrier. The Company is active in the charter market through its subsidiary Sun D’or. This is El Al’s 60th year.

About American Airlines

American Airlines (AA) is the world’s largest airline insofar as passenger numbers and fleet size go. The company is wholly owned by the AMR Corporation, and itself owns American Eagle, a subsidiary. There are about 1000 aircraft in the fleet, operating about 4000 daily flights to about 250 destinations in over 40 countries. America Airlines has the most extensive flight network in North America. American Airlines main hubs in the USA are at Miami, Chicago and Dallas, all of which are included in the first stage of the code share agreement with El Al. In 2007, American Airlines carried about 119 million passengers. The company employs about 85,000 people around the world, including about 10,000 pilots. American Airlines founded and remains a member of the ONEWORLD airline alliance.