United Airlines and Air China Strengthen and Extend Strategic Partnership

Air China and United Airlines recently signed a multi-year agreement to strengthen their long-standing strategic partnership. In addition to the long-term extension of their agreement, Air China and United have established a joint strategic initiative that will significantly deepen coordination between the two airlines for the benefit of their customers in China and the United States.

Air China's President, Song Zhiyong, said: "Both the United States and China are crucial for the international aviation market. I firmly believe that the strengthened partnership between United and Air China will provide better and more convenient services for the passengers in the joint Sino-U.S. market."

Through the new initiative, Air China and United will work together to elevate their product offering to customers across the travel experience, including:

Expanding connecting flight opportunities to further enhance their industry-leading joint network between China and the United States

Creating a more seamless experience for customers when traveling through key gateway airports, such as Beijing and San Francisco

Enhancing elite frequent flyer benefits for each other's most loyal customers when traveling on the joint network

Coordinating and expanding joint marketing and product-enhancement opportunities in both the United States and China.

The new initiative will be led by senior executives from both carriers, who will meet regularly to coordinate new initiative rollouts, promote closer cultural integration between Air China and United, and prepare both companies for future joint opportunities.