TAM, bmi Start Codeshare for Brazil, U.K. Flights

TAM, Brazil’s largest airline, and Britain’s bmi, the second-largest airline operating out of Heathrow Airport in London, will initiate an operational codeshare agreement on April 14.

Approved by officials of both countries, the initial phase of the bilateral agreement will allow the two companies to expand services for customers traveling between Brazil and the United Kingdom, resulting in more destination options in both countries and convenient connections for the largest Brazilian and British cities.

In the first phase, TAM’s customers will be able to fly from Sao Paulo to Heathrow Airport aboard the modern Boeing 777-300ER, with 365 executive and economy class seats. In Heathrow, return flights operated by bmi going to Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow in Scotland, and Birmingham and Manchester in England, will be available, using the code JJ.

Using the code BD, bmi customers can take direct flights from London to Brazil aboard the B777 operated by TAM. Connecting flights to the Brazilian cities of Rio de Janeiro, Curitiba, Salvador and Fortaleza will be available at Guarulhos Airport, in Sao Paulo.

In the second phase, the partnership will be expanded to include bmi routes, allowing TAM to offer its customers more connection options throughout Europe. Bmi customers will also benefit from the addition of TAM destinations to other South American countries, such as Buenos Aires, Argentina; Santiago, Chile; Montevideo, Uruguay; and Lima, Peru.