Air France/KLM and Etihad Airways Expand Partnership

Air France/KLM and Etihad Airways have just signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen their pre-existing partnership.

Passengers can expect more choices through expanded codeshare and interline agreements, as well as enhanced collaboration between the airlines’ operations, loyalty programs, and more.

Air France/KLM and Etihad Airways Expand Partnership

The partnership between Air France/KLM and Etihad Airways has existed since 2012, but this new agreement will further bolster that relationship, and has the potential to offer more value for both the airlines and passengers.

The expanded agreement will see over 40 routes added through the codeshare and interline agreements, including destinations across Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia.

Etihad Airways will benefit from greater connectivity to Air France/KLM’s extensive network of European destinations, such as Helsinki and Warsaw.

Meanwhile, Air France/KLM will be able to expand their reach in South East Asia and Oceania with Etihad Airways’s network to cities such as Sydney, Melbourne, Ho Chi Minh City, and Guangzhou — destinations to which Air France/KLM currently doesn’t fly.

Etihad Airways currently operates daily flights to Paris (CDG) and Amsterdam (AMS), and Air France will launch a new route from Paris (CDG) to Abu Dhabi (AUH) on October 29, 2023.

Passengers originating in Europe on an Air France or KLM flight will soon be able to connect to many Asian and Australian destinations on a single booking with access to Etihad Airways’s network.

Likewise, passengers originating in Abu Dhabi with Etihad Airways will enjoy easy connectivity to smaller European markets via flights with Air France and KLM.

Bookings are available as of September 7, 2023, for travel as early as Winter 2023.

Coming Soon: Reciprocal Earning, Redemptions, and Benefits

The customer ground experience may also be enhanced with this enhanced agreement, as the airlines are exploring terminal co-location for easier connections, reciprocal lounge access agreements, and streamlined ground handling services.

Furthermore, Air France/KLM Flying Blue status holders will likely be able to enjoy some perks of their status, such as priority boarding and check-in, when travelling with Etihad Airways….