Singapore Airlines and United Airlines have launched new codeshare routes capitalizing on eased border restrictions in both the US and Asia.
The codeshare flights will begin on April 26 with seven destinations in South East Asia: Brunei's capital Bandar Seri Begawan, Siem Reap in Cambodia, Kuala Lumpur, and Penang in Malaysia, and Denpasar (Bali), Jakarta, and Surabaya in Indonesia.
It will also connect to Perth in Australia, as well as Male in the Maldives with Singapore Airlines.
Meanwhile, customers of SIA could now connect on United Airlines' flights out of Los Angeles to 10 new codeshare destinations in the US including Austin, Baltimore, Boise, Cleveland, Denver, Honolulu, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Reno, and Sacramento.
This also complements the existing connections available on United's network from Houston to Atlanta, Austin, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Ft. Lauderdale, Miami, New Orleans, Orlando, and Tampa.
"United continues to provide critical links to Asia and we are the only US airline flying direct to Singapore from the US, with our nonstop San Francisco – Singapore flight," said Patrick Quayle, senior vice president of International Network and Alliances at United. “We are excited to further expand our partnership with Singapore Airlines and provide our customers greater convenience and access to world-class destinations in the region."
United deal "part of growth strategy"
Meanwhile, Singapore Airlines noted that its codeshare deal with the American carrier is part of its growth strategy.
"This will help to strengthen the deep and longstanding ties between Singapore and the US," added JoAnn Tan, senior vice president of Marketing Planning, Singapore Airlines.
The announcement comes amid growing demand for international air travel as more countries around the world ease border restrictions.
The carriers noted that subject to regulatory approvals, the codeshare flights will be progressively made available for sale through the airlines’ respective booking channels.