Virgin America launches codeshare flights with China Airlines

SAN FRANCISCO - Virgin America announces the implementation of a codeshare arrangement with China Airlines that will offer customers seamless bookings and travel between Taipei, Taiwan, elsewhere in Asia and multiple destinations across the United States. The new codeshare agreement, the fourth for the California-based airline, involves China Airlines placing its two-letter airline code (CI) on a range of Virgin America markets including flights between Los Angeles and/or San Francisco to Boston, Chicago, Dallas Love Field, Fort Lauderdale, Las Vegas, Newark, New York (JFK), Seattle and Washington Dulles (IAD). Starting today, China Airlines guests can book their journey across the United States with Virgin America via China Airlines' website and look forward to a convenient airport experience with one-stop check-in for boarding passes and checked bags. Bookings for flights can be made for travel from 26 October 2014 via china-airlines.com, China Airlines' call center, the Global Distribution System (GDS) and travel agents.

"We are very pleased to launch our fourth codeshare partnership with one of Asia's leading carriers, China Airlines. Taiwan is both an important inbound and outbound tourism market for our airline and this arrangement will open up new opportunities to travel seamlessly between the United States and Asia through a simple one-stop booking and check-in process," Virgin America's Director of Network Planning, Adam Green said. "We look forward to welcoming China Airlines guests on board our flights and providing our award-winning guest service."

China Airlines' Spokesman Jeffrey Kuo said: "China Airlines began flying to California in the 1970s and we are thrilled to expand our reach from the state even further with San Francisco home-town airline, Virgin America. Starting October 26, our guests will have even more travel options from Taipei to 11 destinations in the United States with Virgin America's codeshare flights."

China Airlines, with headquarters in and major flight operations from Taoyuan International Airport in Taipei, flies to destinations in Asia, Europe, North America and Oceania. China Airlines has a strong presence in Southeast Asia, East Asia, Northeast Asia and Greater China. The airline offers daily direct flights from Taipei to San Francisco and Los Angeles, and three flights per week to New York.

The codeshare partnership expands on the two airline's existing interline agreement, which commenced in May 2012. China Airlines is Virgin America's fourth codeshare agreement and enhances the airline's growing partner portfolio.

sourced:traveldailynews.asia