Etihad Airways has extended its reach in Asia with a strategic partnership with Philippine Airlines.
The latest tie-up between Etihad and a partner carrier will initially see the airlines place their respective EY and PR codes on each other's Manila to Abu Dhabi flights to operate a combined total of 19 weekly between the two capitals.
Etihad will also place its code on PAL's flights from Manila to 20 destinations throughout the Philippines in the first phase, increasing to 28 during 2014. The deal follows similar ones with ANA, Garuda, Malaysia Airlines and Vietnam Airlines.
Members of Etihad Guest and PAL's Mabuhay Miles frequent flyer programme will enjoy reciprocal loyalty programme benefits including points accumulation and redemption, priority check-in and boarding, baggage handling and lounge access across both networks.
The agreement also extends the use of Etihad's premium lounges in Abu Dhabi and Heathrow to PAL's business class customers and Mabuhay Miles top-tier members when travelling on Philippine Airlines' Manila to Abu Dhabi and Manila to Heathrow flights. This is effective from August 1 at Abu Dhabi and November 1 at Heathrow.
Etihad operates two flights daily between Abu Dhabi and Manila using a Boeing 777-300 aircraft with 28 seats in business class and 384 in economy.
PAL's five weekly flights utilise new Airbus A330-300s with a separate premium economy cabin and a new business class. They carry 368 passengers, with 323 in economy, 27 in premium economy and 18 in business class.
Etihad president and CEO James Hogan said the scope of the commercial agreement reflected the strength of the relationship between the airlines and the close ties between the United Arab Emirates and the Philippines. Many migrant workers from the islands are employed in the UAE.
etihad.com, philippineairlines.com
Gary Noakes
