Intelligence – August, 24 2009

Intelligence – August, 24 2009

American Airlines AAdvantage and GOL Airlines Smiles have entered into a frequent flyer agreement. As of last month, AAdvantage and Smiles members can earn miles on all eligible GOL and American flights. And beginning this autumn, members of both programs can redeem their miles for travel on both airlines. Through Oct. 31, 2009, AAdvantage members will get double miles when flying on eligible GOL flights …

United Airlines reports that it will reduce international capacity by seven percent in the last four months of the year. The cut is being made “in an effort to better match supply with demand.” …

PJ’s Pets/Pets Unlimited is now partnering with Aeroplan. In addition to getting miles with purchases, the retailer will also offer bonus offers on specific products …

In the first half of 2009, Korean Air carried 22 percent more passengers from the Americas to Asia than during the same time last year with the most popular destinations beyond Seoul being China, Japan, Vietnam, the Philippines and Thailand. The airline is adding more seats to Toronto and Vancouver as Canada’s new Open Skies agreement with Korea takes effect …

With JetBlue going toward a revenue-based program similar to Virgin America, there have been rumors (unfounded as far as we could tell) that Southwest Rapid Rewards will introduce a similar structure …

Jet Airways and Turkish Airlines now have an FFP partnership where members of both programs can earn and burn with the partner airline …

Jet Airways has a new partnership with Accor Hotels where members earn 250-500 miles per stay. Langham Hotels International is also a new partner with Jet Airways JetPrivilege where members can earn 500 miles for a stay of one to three nights or 750 miles for a stay of more than three consecutive nights …

There was a rumor circulating on FlyerTalk that Hilton HHonors Point Stretcher awards had been discontinued for the rest of 2009. As it turns out, this rumor is not true. Hilton HHonors states on its Point Stretcher Web page that new dates will be available in September 2009 …

Emirates will begin nonstop flights from Dubai to Durban, South Africa on Oct. 1, 2009 and to Luanda on Oct. 25, 2009 …

Delta and Australia’s Virgin Blue are moving toward a frequent flyer partnership as they plan a joint venture including codesharing that is in the process of getting regulatory approval. The two carriers said that the joint venture does not indicate a plan for Virgin Blue to join the SkyTeam alliance, nor does Delta have any plans to cooperate with any other Virgin-branded airline …

American Airlines is introducing new nonstop routes from its Miami hub. Beginning Nov. 19, 2009, American Eagle will fly from Miami to Charleston, SC; Eleuthera, Treasure Cay and Governors Harbour, Bahamas and Knoxville, Tenn. Effective March 2, 2010, American Eagle will begin flying from San Juan, Puerto Rico to Nevis …

Continental is beginning new service from Guam and Honolulu to Nadi, Fiji on Dec. 18, 2009. … Beginning Sept. 2, 2009, United will operate two daily flights from Chicago to Huntsville, Ala. and El Paso, Texas and three daily flights to Little Rock, Ark.