British Airways has launched a new partnership with Shanghai-based carrier, China Eastern Airlines. BA will start selling flights to Kunming, Xi’an, Nanjing, Hangzhou and Chongqing on a BA flight code, while the Chinese carrier will sell British Airways flights to Aberdeen, Belfast City, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds Bradford, Manchester and Newcastle on their MU flight code.
Customers in the UK will be able to travel through China’s gateway cities to destinations that have previously been more difficult to access from the UK and China Eastern customers can connect on to British Airways in Shanghai and Chengdu.
“We believe the start of this code-share will help to generate more opportunities for companies based in these important cities as it will be simpler and easier to travel to do business in person,” said Alex Cruz, British Airways’ chairman and CEO.
Zeng Yongchao, China Eastern Airlines’ executive deputy managing director of marketing and sales committee, said: “We are pleased to begin this mutually-beneficial partnership and offer our customers a more attractive route network and a comfortable and seamless travel experience. The UK is popular with Chinese travellers and we look forward to welcoming customers on-board our flights to the UK through London.”
Customers can also earn Avios loyalty points on the China Eastern sectors as well as British Airways services.