In 2020, Israel and the United Arab Emirates established diplomatic relations, which had constructive implications for aviation, together with the introduction of direct flights between the 2 international locations. In 2021, we noticed EL AL and Etihad launch a codeshare settlement. The 2 airways had promised that we’d see frequent flyer reciprocity, and that’s now lastly being launched, practically two years later.
EL AL & Etihad codeshare & frequent flyer partnership
For the previous two years, we’ve seen Abu Dhabi-based Etihad and Tel Aviv-based EL AL provide a reciprocal codeshare settlement. With this, EL AL has positioned its “LY” code on Etihad’s service between Abu Dhabi and Tel Aviv, and to locations past Abu Dhabi, together with Australia, Bahrain, India, Korea, Philippines, and Seychelles. Moreover, we’ve seen Etihad place its “EY” code on EL AL routes to locations within the Center East, Europe, Asia, and the US.
The 2 airways have been promising a reciprocal frequent flyer settlement, although that hasn’t occurred till now. Etihad Visitor and EL AL Matmid have simply introduced that they’re launching a reciprocal frequent flyer partnership, permitting members of each frequent flyer applications to earn and redeem miles throughout the community of each carriers.
It’s thrilling to see this improvement, although as of now it doesn’t seem that EL AL or Etihad have up to date their associate pages to mirror the mileage incomes or redemption charges. I think about there would theoretically be extra worth right here with Etihad Visitor than EL AL Matmid, provided that the previous companions with transferable factors currencies, whereas the latter doesn’t.
Moreover, Etihad Visitor’s present redemption charges are considerably of a moot level, for the reason that program plans to introduce new award pricing as of March 2023.
This makes political sense and is sweet for frequent flyers
I’m not shocked to see a partnership between EL AL and Etihad expanded on this means. Frankly even when the airways weren’t planning a substantive partnership, the optics of this are nice, as we’re seeing a partnership between two nationwide airways of nations which have established diplomatic relations.
Objectively that is additionally good for frequent flyers. We’re now seeing reciprocal mileage incomes and redemption alternatives, which is all the time good to see.
The large query is what Etihad Visitor’s new award chart seems to be like in just a few weeks, as hopefully there might be some worth with redeeming miles on EL AL.
Backside line
In 2021, EL AL and Etihad launched a codeshare settlement. We’re now seeing the 2 airways launch a frequent flyer partnership, providing reciprocal mileage incomes and redemption alternatives throughout each carriers’ networks.
The precise incomes and redemption charges stay to be seen, however that is an thrilling improvement.
What do you make of the EL AL & Etihad frequent flyer partnership?
