TAP Portugal and US Airways – both member-companies of Star Alliance – announced today the widening of their cooperative efforts by operating code-share flights between Portugal and the United States in addition to from Portugal to other destinations in Europe.
From June 7 2006 , clients will already be able to make reservations on these new flights.
The US Airways code will be placed on TAP domestic flights departing from Lisbon to Faro, Funchal and Porto and also on TAP flights operating between Lisbon - Newark and Porto – Newark. New connecting flights are also on offer in addition from Lisbon, to Brussels and Prague .
TAP clients will have access to 11 destinations in the United States via transatlantic US Airways flights operating in code-share between Lisbon and Philadelphia.
From the city of Philadelphia, TAP will begin operating flights in code-share with US Airways to the following destinations: Atlanta, Boston, Washington D.C. Reagan National, Dallas/Ft.Worth, Denver, Detroit, Houston (Houston Bush Intercontinental), Los Angeles, Sao Francisco, Miami and Orlando.
TAP clients may also benefit from the use of two other destinations in the United States through the company’s transatlantic flights between Lisbon – Newark and Porto – Newark . From Newark , TAP operates code-share on US Airways flights to the destinations of Charlotte and Pittsburgh . US Airways reservations should be made through their reservations’ center: +1-800-428-4322.
“The new destinations served in code-share with US Airways in the USA represent an important widening of the TAP network, facilitating access for passengers in Top Executive and economy class to attractive destinations", confirmed Jose Guedes Dias, Director of International Relations and Alliances at TAP. “We have high expectations from this joint cooperation with US Airways with a view to maximizing opportunities and offering our clients numerous benefits.
“Intensifying our relationship with TAP Portugal is one of the many benefits associated with our role as Star alliance members and provides us with greater standing on an international level”, said the Senior Vice-Chairman of Planning and Alliances at US Airways, Andrew Nocella. “This initial code-share valid for destinations in Portugal and in selected European cities will reinforce our new seasonal service of direct flights from Philadelphia to Lisbon , offering members of our Dividend Miles program more opportunities over the course of the year, namely the possibility of earning and accumulating air miles.”
As Star Alliance partners, members of the TAP Victoria Program and Dividend Miles of US Airways can earn air miles flying with tariffs paid and eligible to accumulate air miles with the right to an extra 50 per cent Bonus when flying in Business Class. All air miles are valid for the amendment to the Statute. In addition, TAP and US Airways frequent flyers have the right to more benefits, namely access to Lounges at airports, and the use of a single ticket on flights to several itineraries and baggage dispatched to their final destination.
TAP Portugal
TAP Portugal is the leading Portuguese airline company that celebrated 60 years on March 14 2005 , the date on which it also became a member of Star Alliance.
Its Hub in Lisbon is a privileged access gateway in Europe at the crossroads of other continents, namely, Africa and North and South America , a market in which TAP excels as the leading European airline company operating to Brazil. The TAP network covers 46 destinations in 27 countries around the entire world added to which are other numerous others served in code-share operations with allied companies.
From June this year, the company has been carrying out on average, 200 flights a day and retains a modern fleet of 47 Airbus A-310, A-330 and A-340 airliners for long-haul flights and A-319, A-320 and A-321 for medium-haul flights. The new TAP institutional image launched on February 1 2005 was honored with the award for best Branding and Re-branding (2005) in May 2006 by the specialized publication “Meios & Publicidade”. TAP’s Victoria Program also received (April 2006) Freddie Awards 2005 for Program of the Year, Best Redemption Award and Best Member Communications.
For more information, see the company website at: www.flytap.com
US Airways:
The recent US Airways merger with America West gave rise to the fifth largest domestic airline company in the United States , employing almost 35 thousand professionals. Combined, US Airways, US Airways Shuttle and US Airways Express, operate approximately around 300 flights a day and serve more than 230 destinations in the USA, Canada, Europe and Latin America.
US Airways is a member-company of Star Alliance, incorporated in 1997 as the first truly global alliance of airline companies that offers its clients access to a worldwide network and the experience of a consistent flight to all of its destinations. Information on US Airways is available at www.usairways.com.
Star Alliance was elected the best Airline Company Alliance by Skytrax in 2003 and 2005. The following airline companies make up the alliance: Air Canada, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian, bmi, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, Spanair, SWISS, TAP Portugal, THAI, United, US Airways and VARIG. Star Alliance companies offer in total more than 15,500 flights a day to 882 destinations in 152 countries.
