CO & Air Canada announce partnership

 
Old Jul 24, 2008, 12:15 pm
  #1  
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CO & Air Canada announce partnership

Well, it's about time! I was getting a bit tired of having to post the miles to UA every time I had to go to Canada...

http://micro.newswire.ca/release.cgi...3213-0&Start=0
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Old Jul 24, 2008, 12:20 pm
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Here's the text.
News Releases
Attention Business/Financial Editors:

Air Canada builds partnership with Continental Airlines to provide expanded network, frequent flyer benefits and lounge access
MONTREAL, July 24 /CNW Telbec/ - Air Canada today announced that it has
reached an agreement in principle with Continental Airlines, the fourth
largest carrier in the United States, to provide customers an enhanced travel
experience through access to a broader network and seamless services provided
in cooperation by the two carriers.
"This is an exciting opportunity for Air Canada and Continental Airlines
to develop a deeper relationship that will be of great benefit to our
customers," said Ben Smith, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial
Officer. "Through cooperation with Continental, including a proposed
codesharing arrangement, we will be able to offer customers traveling to the
United States a vast array of enhanced travel benefits including more choice
of destinations, new routings, expanded frequent flyer benefits and lounge
access for eligible customers. At the same time, we will be able to realize
greater efficiencies so we can compete more effectively. It is one of the many
innovative ways we are responding to the high cost of fuel, by working with
alliance partners for the benefit of our customers."
Air Canada and Continental intend, subject to obtaining regulatory
approvals, to offer customers coordinated services and enhanced product
offerings through codeshare, frequent flyer and lounge access agreements.
Through Continental's hubs in Newark and Cleveland, Air Canada will offer more
options to the eastern United States, and through Continental's Houston hub,
greater access to the southern United States, Mexico and Central America. Air
Canada's proposed alliance with Continental will give customers an expanded
network that complements Air Canada's existing North American network with its
Star Alliance partner, United Airlines. In June, Continental announced that it
also plans to join Star Alliance.
In addition, Air Canada has also signed a multi-lateral framework
agreement with Continental, United Airlines, and Lufthansa to create a
transatlantic joint venture through which the carriers intend to provide
customers with more choice and streamlined service to Africa, India, Europe
and the Middle East. As a first step, nine Star Alliance carriers, including
Air Canada, have filed a joint application with the U.S. Department of
Transportation to add Continental Airlines to their existing antitrust
immunity.

CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

This disclosure may include forward-looking statements within the meaning
of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements are based on
assumptions, are subject to important risks and uncertainties and cannot be
relied upon due to, amongst other things, changing external factors and
general uncertainties of the business. Results indicated in forward-looking
statements may differ materially from actual results due to a number of
factors, including without limitation, energy prices, general industry, market
and economic conditions, currency exchange and interest rates, competition,
war, terrorist acts, epidemic diseases, insurance issues and costs, changes in
demand due to the seasonal nature of the business, the ability to reduce
operating costs, employee and labour relations, pension issues, supply issues,
changes in laws, regulatory developments or proceedings, pending and future
litigation and actions by third parties, as well as the factors (including
assumptions) identified in Air Canada's public disclosure file and accessible
through SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Any forward-looking statements contained in
this disclosure represent Air Canada's expectations as of the date of this
disclosure and are subject to change after such date. Air Canada disclaims any
intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements
whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as
required under applicable securities regulations.
%SEDAR: 00001324EF
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Old Jul 24, 2008, 12:23 pm
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yes! Yes! YES!

Once a quarter I've got to trek up to YYZ from IAH and the AC EMB-170's are setup in one kick-@ss plan: First, noes-to-tail AVOD and inseat power and food! Beats the #@% out of a CO145...hell, it even comes close to beating out a 737!

Also the Maple Leaf lounges at YYZ are an awesome product (and hopefully CO will now roost over with AC's transborder operations so OP members can enjoy them).
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Old Jul 24, 2008, 12:54 pm
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One more step towards Star Alliance, methinks...
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Old Jul 24, 2008, 1:08 pm
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AC was one of the investors in CO during their last trip into bankruptcy. Also I have seen CO and AC share ground resources at some outstations. It is nice to see the relationship strengthen.
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Old Jul 24, 2008, 1:15 pm
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Canada was my one issue when I switched from UA to CO last year, as it's a huge weakness in the ST route network. I always hated getting screwed out of miles flying to YMM.

Unfortunately, AC has some very strange fare buckets, including some that accrue no mileage. It'll be interesting to see how CO handles that.
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Old Jul 24, 2008, 1:18 pm
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Originally Posted by brendog
...It'll be interesting to see how CO handles that.
Ever since AP was spun off a few years ago it's been a wee bit on the hard(er) side to bank with them (IMHO); what I've found is that IAH-YYZ runs about 400-550 r/t, a/i and at that point I'd rather burn 25k miles for a FF ticket.
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Old Jul 24, 2008, 1:39 pm
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When do we start collecting miles??

So when do we start collecting miles on AC??

Looking to fly to Sydney and they fly there!!!
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Old Jul 24, 2008, 1:45 pm
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I have to wonder if this is part of the *A anti-trust immunity filing or if this above and beyond that. I guess that there is nothing stopping CO and AC from establishing a bilateral relationship in advance of the *A move, so this could happen sooner than not.

Still, the "agreement in principle" and "intended" code-sharing makes me think that this is still a bit out in terms of actually happening, though possibly earlier than the full *A move.
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Old Jul 24, 2008, 1:46 pm
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Originally Posted by OPFlyer
In addition, Air Canada has also signed a multi-lateral framework agreement with Continental, United Airlines, and Lufthansa to create a transatlantic joint venture through which the carriers intend to provide customers with more choice and streamlined service to Africa, India, Europe and the Middle East. As a first step, nine Star Alliance carriers, including Air Canada, have filed a joint application with the U.S. Department of Transportation to add Continental Airlines to their existing antitrust immunity..
The most interesting statement in the whole release. Obviously, United, AC, and Lufthansa are three of the nine; what are the six others?
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Old Jul 24, 2008, 1:49 pm
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Originally Posted by ChelseaFC
Looking to fly to Sydney and they fly there!!!
My thinking as well!
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Old Jul 24, 2008, 1:50 pm
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Originally Posted by colpuck
AC was one of the investors in CO during their last trip into bankruptcy. Also I have seen CO and AC share ground resources at some outstations. It is nice to see the relationship strengthen.
Yes - AC used to own a part of CO many years ago. The airlines also used to have a fair bit of frequent flyer and code sharing cooperation then.
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Old Jul 24, 2008, 1:54 pm
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Originally Posted by JohnneeO
The most interesting statement in the whole release. Obviously, United, AC, and Lufthansa are three of the nine; what are the six others?
<scratches head>
  1. Continental
  2. United
  3. Air Canada
  4. Lufthansa/Swiss (counted as one?)
  5. SAS
  6. BMI/LOT (?)
  7. ?
  8. ?
  9. ?

Other players:
  • US
  • South African
  • New Zealand
  • Singapore
  • Thai
  • Asiana
  • ANA
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Old Jul 24, 2008, 1:57 pm
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As someone from *A and having flown AC J, trust me, don't bother.

IMO, AC is single handedly the worst airline in the *A system, next to US, offering pathetic service and meals.

Head on over to trip report forum for a recent experience for a FTer. My experience was similar to that of his.
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Old Jul 24, 2008, 2:03 pm
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Originally Posted by J.Edward
<scratches head>
  1. Continental
  2. United
  3. Air Canada
  4. Lufthansa/Swiss (counted as one?)
  5. SAS
  6. BMI/LOT (?)
  7. ?
  8. ?
  9. ?

Other players:
  • US
  • South African
  • New Zealand
  • Singapore
  • Thai
  • Asiana
  • ANA
I would hazard a guess that US Airways will be left off the dance card. As for the other mystery members, there are a more than that # for transatlantic carriers in *, including TAP, Austrian, Turkish). Not to mention Spanair, which does not do transcontinental.
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