Etihad Airways and Korean Air signed a new codeshare agreement which comes into effect 22 July 2013 subject to regulatory approval. Both airlines have been in partnership since August 2009 for the interline and special prorate partnership. Etihad Airways has been flying to Seoul since late 2010. Korean Air doesn’t have direct flights to Abu Dhabi but flies five times a week between Incheon and Dubai and three times a week between Incheon – Riyadh/Jeddah. Korean Air plans to expand its partnership with Etihad Airways to other destinations in the Middle-East and Africa in the future.
Etihad Airways operates daily flights between Incheon and Abu Dhabi on its Airbus A340 aircraft. With a capacity of 240 passengers, Etihad Airways flights depart Incheo International Airport at 1.15am and arrives in Abu Dhabi at 6.15am the same day. Return flights depart Abu Dhabi at 10.15pm arriving in Incheon at 11.45 am the next day.
Etihad Airways flights between Seoul (Incheon) and Abu Dhabi will carry Korean Air’s ‘KE’ code while Eithad Airways’ Etihad Guest and Korean Air’s SKYPASS loyalty programmes will enjoy full reciprocity including lounge access, priority check-in and excess baggage allowances for top tier programme members. Both airline frequent flyer programme members can earn and redeem frequent flyer points on all Etihad Airways and Korean Air flights.
Etihad Airways has a total of 46 code share partnerships including airlines such as South African Airways, Air Seychelles, Air France, Air Canada, Aer Lingus and Garuda Indonesia. Korean Air also has code share partnerships with 30 other airlines including Delta Air Lines, Air France, KLM, China Southern Airlines and Saudia Airlines.
