Gulf Air, the airline with the largest network in the Middle East, has teamed up with American Airlines, to offer frequent flyers more opportunities to earn and redeem air miles and make use of each other's network.
The tie up allows Gulf Air’s Frequent Flyer Programme (FFP) members to travel on American Airlines' extensive network of flights to more than 250 destinations in 40 countries including its extensive connections within the Unites States via its European gateways such as London Heathrow, Paris, Frankfurt or Dublin.
Reciprocally, American Airlines AAdvantage® members in the US can travel on the airline to London Heathrow, Paris, Frankfurt or Dublin and take a convenient connection to Gulf Air destinations in the Middle East/Indian subcontinent or Africa.
AAdvantage members located throughout Europe, the Middle East and Asia will also benefit by earning and redeeming miles on Gulf Air’s network of more than 50 destinations in 30 countries.
"We are delighted to become partners with American Airlines in our Frequent Flyer Programme," says Gulf Air Vice President of Marketing and Sales Lee Shave.
"This is one more significant milestone in our more than a decade long relationship with American Airlines.
“As the airline with the largest network in the Middle East with excellent onward connections to Asia, Europe and Africa, AAdvantage members travelling to this part of the world on business or leisure will find this an advantageous proposition.”
“We are excited to welcome Gulf Air to the AAdvantage programme, giving our members even more opportunities to earn and redeem their miles to exciting destinations in the Gulf Air network,” says AAdvantage Marketing Programmes President Kurt Stache.
“American and Gulf Air have had a long-standing codeshare agreement which has allowed our customers to experience travel on Gulf Air flights for many years. The new agreement now allows our customers the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of our expanded relationship with Gulf Air through their participation in the AAdvantage Travel Rewards programme.”
About American Airlines
American Airlines is the world's largest airline. American, American Eagle and the AmericanConnection® airlines serve 250 cities in over 40 countries with more than 3,900 daily flights. The combined network fleet numbers more than 1,000 aircraft.
It is also a founding member of the oneworld® Alliance, which brings together some of the best and biggest names in the airline business, enabling them to offer their customers more services and benefits than any airline can provide on its own.
About Gulf Air
Founded in 1950, Gulf Air, owned by the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Sultanate of Oman, is the only truly Pan Gulf carrier in the Middle East region.
The regional, geographic and cultural values that the airline has embraced over more than half a century are still central to defining its brand and service ethos.
Today the airline’s network stretches from Europe to Asia and covers 50 cities in 30 countries. The fleet comprises 34 aircraft and has the distinct advantage of possessing the strongest network across the Middle East.
A platform for sustained commercial operation has been established over the past three years as part of a multi-phased turnaround programme. It has also provided a framework for a succession of innovative products and services including the unique Sky Chefs and Sky Nannies that form part of Gulf Air’s ’smart airline, successful business’ vision.
International recognition has been achieved as a result of the turnaround programme leading to numerous awards for the airline’s innovative and high quality products and services: These include:
• Best Onboard Catering in First and Business Class (Skytrax World Airline Catering Awards 2005)
• Best designed in-flight magazine (American Creativity Awards,2005)
• Middle East Leading First Class Airline (World Travel Awards 2005)
• World’s Leading Airport Lounge (World Travel Awards 2005)
• Middle East & North African Platinum Best Airline (MENA Travel Awards 2004
• Most Improved Airline (Skytrax Awards 2004)
• Middle East First Class Airline (Arabian Business Awards)
• Best new product launch for in-flight services (PAX international Readership Awards)
• Best First Class Onboard Food (Skytrax Food Category 2004)
• Best Business Class Check-in (Skytrax Check-in Category 2004)
• Middle East region’s best airport restaurant for its restaurant in Bahrain International Airport lounge (PAX International Readership Awards 2005)
