American Airlines Announces Codeshare Flight with Vietnam Airlines

American Airlines announced today that it has applied to the United States Department of Transportation for authorization to begin codeshare cooperation with Vietnam Airlines in early 2006. The two airlines plan to implement their codeshare services in phases.

Initially, codeshare flights would be offered from the United States to Japan and Europe, with Vietnam Airlines placing its "VN" designator code on American Airlines flights to Tokyo, Osaka, Paris and Frankfurt from the U.S., which connect to Vietnam Airlines flights to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. The airlines would also codeshare on select domestic routes.

In later phases, American Airlines would place its "AA" designator code on Vietnam Airlines´ services from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to Tokyo, Osaka, Paris and Frankfurt.

Headquartered in Hanoi, Vietnam Airlines is the national carrier of Vietnam. It operates a modern fleet of 38 aircraft, serving 16 cities in Vietnam and 26 international destinations. Vietnam Airlines operates direct flights from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to Tokyo, Osaka, Paris and Frankfurt with state-of-the art Boeing 777 aircraft.