Intelligence – September, 29 2005

Intelligence – September, 29 2005

The pending merger between America West and US Airways will bring an end to the decade-long codeshare partnership between America West and British Airways. The last day for frequent flyers members to earn miles on the other carrier will be Dec. 31. Requests for America West award reservations on British Airways are due by Feb. 15, 2006, with all travel to be completed by Jan. 31, 2007. America West said because US Airways has service to Europe, there is no need to continue to code-share with British Airways once the merger is complete…

Southwest Airlines has added People PC Online to its partner list. Rapid Rewards members can now earn four credits when they sign up with PeoplePC Online as their Internet service provider. The move is fairly unusual for Southwest, as most of its partners have previously been travel-related…

Mainland China’s China Southern Airlines has forged a historic partnership with Taiwan-based China Airlines. Under the new agreement, members of China Southern’s Sky Pearl Club program will be able to earn and redeem miles on China Airlines-operated flights, and members of China Airlines’ Dynasty Flyer program will be able to earn and redeem miles on flights operated by China Southern…

The Justice Department has opposed antitrust immunity for Delta Air Lines, Northwest Airlines and several European carriers, saying there is a significant risk that an arrangement between the airlines would hurt competition. Both U.S. carriers are members of the SkyTeam alliance. The airlines “seek antitrust immunity to coordinate their worldwide operations,”‘ the Justice Department said. ‘”Immunizing an alliance between these two U.S. airlines risks significant harm to certain international and domestic competition”…

Delta Air Lines SkyMiles was selected as the Best Frequent Flyer Program in a survey by Travel Savvy magazine. Approximately 2,500 of the magazine’s readers participated in the survey…

The frequent flyer program of Malaysia Airlines, Enrich, has signed WorldHotels as its 43rd partner, bringing the number of hotel partners to 23. Likewise, WorldHotels now finds itself with 11 airline partners in total. WorldHotels is offering double miles for Enrich members until the end of October…

Lufthansa has teamed up with New York-based luxury goods marketer Bedford Forum and Napa, Calif.-based New Vine Logistics to launch a gourmet shopping program in which members of Miles & More frequent flyer program can redeem frequent flyer miles for wine, gourmet food, kitchenware and other home goods…

Japan Airlines and Mexicana Airlines have reached a codeshare agreement based on connections in Los Angeles which will expand JAL’s network in Mexico to four cities and provide Mexicana with access to Tokyo and Osaka in Japan. Implementation of a frequent flyer program partnership is being discussed by JAL and Mexicana, and will be put into practice once its scope and terms are finalized…

LAN Airlines and Korean Air have begun joint operation of the Seoul-Los Angeles-Santiago route based on codesharing.