US DOT approves Hong Kong Airlines, Etihad codeshare to SFO, LAX

The US Department of Transportation (DOT) has approved a codeshare between Hong Kong Airlines and Etihad Airways on two intercontinental services from Hong Kong to San Francisco International (SFO) and Los Angeles International (LAX) airports. Etihad Airways is expected to place its EY code on the two services operated by Hong Kong Airlines. Both carriers are expected to enhance their flight connectivity between the Middle East, Asia and Europe through the new codeshare deal. Hong Kong Airlines began Airbus A350 flights to Los Angeles December 2017 and launched service to San Francisco March 25, 2018. Etihad cut its service to San Francisco and reduced flight frequencies to Los Angeles from daily to 3X-weekly flights. Hong Kong Airlines and Etihad began codesharing in 2014. Under the agreement, Etihad placed its code on flights from Hong Kong to Bangkok and Okinawa, Japan. In return, Hong Kong Airlines placed an HX code on Etihad Airways’ triple-daily flights between Abu Dhabi and Bangkok, with two additional routes connecting Abu Dhabi to Madrid starting March 29, 2015 and to Hong Kong beginning June 15, 2015.<br/>