American Airlines announces Qatar tie-up

American Airlines has announced it has signed an agreement with Qatar Airways to codeshare on each other's flights to provide new growth opportunities.

Following government approvals, the new codeshare agreement will offer customers more seamless choices by allowing the two airlines to work together to improve flight schedules and connection times.

"Our extensive codeshare relationship with Qatar Airways will provide our customers with easy, premium access when traveling to and from the Middle East and beyond," said Kurt Stache, American's vice president, Strategic Alliances.

"This new codeshare relationship with Qatar is another example of how American is focused on building its global network through closer coordination with its alliance partners around the world," he added.

The agreement with Qatar will include codesharing on nonstop flights between the US and Doha, flights connecting at the carriers' European gateways such as Paris and London, and flights to cities in the US and beyond Doha.

Additionally, members of the American Airlines AAdvantage programme will be able to earn miles on the codeshare flights operated by Qatar Airways.

Customers can begin booking travel on codeshare flights on February 10 for travel beginning February 26, American Airlines said in a statement.

In October, Qatar was invited to join the oneworld alliance. Qatar is the first of the three major carriers in the Gulf to join a global airline alliance. Its addition will add 15 destinations and three countries to the oneworld map.

Qatar currently serves 120 destinations in 70 countries in the Middle East, Europe, Africa, North and South America, Asia and Australia.