I don’t think this new partnership should surprise anyone, and it’s something that many of us have been predicting for a couple of years now…
In this post:
American & Porter request permission to codeshare
American Airlines and Porter Airlines have filed with the Department of Transportation (DOT), requesting permission to launch a codeshare agreement.
They’re requesting blanket authority, meaning that American could market Porter flights by placing its “AA” code on them, while Porter could market American flights by placing its “PD” code on them.
There’s no reason this codeshare agreement shouldn’t be approved, but rather, requesting this kind of permission is just a standard practice. A codeshare agreement is a much higher level of cooperation than just an interline agreement, but it’s not as close as a joint venture.
Short of the regulatory filing, the two airlines haven’t otherwise officially announced plans to launch a partnership, though I imagine that’s imminent. Hopefully there’s a loyalty collaboration as well.
For those not familiar with Porter, this is a fast growing Canadian airline. Porter has historically operated De Havilland Dash 8-400 turboprops out of Toronto Billy Bishop Airport (YTZ), though in recent years has taken on a new strategy, as the airline is now competing across North America out of Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ), thanks to new Embraer E195-E2s.
This is an obvious partner for American in Canada
Air Canada (Canada’s largest airline) partners with United. WestJet (Canada’s second largest airline) partners with Delta — the airline previously partnered with American, but Delta swooped in with a better offer. As things currently stand, American doesn’t have any significant partnerships in Canada, so by process of elimination, a partnership with Porter makes a lot of sense.
Over the past couple of years, we’ve seen Alaska roll out a partnership with Porter, and of course Alaska is also in oneworld, and has a partnership with American. As I’ve said in the past, I expect Porter to continue to partner with more oneworld airlines. I’m not sure the airline will fully join the alliance, but it sure would be nice.
Funny enough, in mid-2023, it looked like American planned to invest in Connect Airlines, a Canadian airline startup that largely wanted to replicate Porter’s initial business model. However, that airline never actually took off…
Bottom line
American Airlines and Porter Airlines have requested regulatory approval to launch a codeshare agreement, which I imagine is the first step to the two airlines launching a partnership. When you consider the competitive dynamics between the United States and Canada, this makes perfect sense. I think the big question is just how closely together the two airlines will work.
What’s your take on this new partnership?
Porter just added 3x flights daily from LGA TB which is huge, although the flights are to Pearson not Billy Bishop. Makes complete sense to now partner with American. And hope that they move some of their "shuttle service" to Billy Bishop from EWR to LGA as well. If they are chasing oneworld connectivity, no real reason to focus on EWR anymore.
I just don’t understand why Porter would tarnish its brand by getting into bed with the likes of AA. AA lousy performance will only drag them down.
The only thing im shocked about is why this didnt happen earlier.....I really want some AA metal back in YOW from ORD or PHL.....something....
Hopefully we see a formal FF partnership like AS; i am pretty sure AA would like something like that too.
The only big issue is elite reciprocal agreements.....as a AS MVP 100k....i get zero free bags on porter....and pay for seat selection.
Great news.
AC is utter garbage all around, so anything to help Porter is very welcomed
Maybe Porter can join oneworld and Westjet can joon SkyTeam…
Sort of unlucky timing currently given the deteriorated relations & resultant decrease pax demand & service reduction/cancellations on trans-border routes. At least it's affecting all the relevant Canadian & US airlines and not specifically to AA or Porter...
But this should be temporary and 'blow over' ... hopefully sooner than later....
Well codeshares can help to reduce capacity without exiting the market. Which makes a lot of sense in the current situation.
Hello Porter execs,
In the 0.00001% chance that you are reading this comment, please join one world please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please.
Sincerely,
a frustrated Canadian traveler
I appreciate that Canadians remain so polite and respectful even when discussing airlines.
I have voiced this already with the Porter C suite directly.....trust me....they know Canadians want more options with oneworld in Canada. They know people want this....but again its a logistical back end mess and given PD's IT right now...they have a lot of costs to get this done. Heck they cant even post mileage properly to AS mileage plan right now let alone the rest of the oneworld network.
They couldn't this in time for that disastrous earnings call?
Not sure why AAL dragged their feet on this partnership. It should hopefully work out well for both parties
For this Torontonian, this is a harbinger of great things to come. I hope porter eventually joins oneworld, so I can fly from Toronto's downtown airport YTZ to Bangkok on an AAdvantage redemption. I was disappointed when porter bought their first jets and didn't install a Business Class. It suggested they weren't aiming to join an alliance. Now, I dare to revive the dream.
I have certainly voiced to the PD c suite of having a true J class and put "reserve" as the premium economy section....i think this will be eventually done.....
I've never flown Porter air but I've been following them especially since they introduced the e195 e2s and I think they are a class act ! Their dash 8 hub at Billy Bishop in Toronto from what I understand is a great operation and their hub at Toronto's YYZ is a great one as well. Their food service looks great from the YouTube great ! I am 100% on board with this deal
This tie up is good.
yike, yet another near-miss
starting to think that arbitrarily firing all those ATCs during a shortage and eviscerating FAA morale may have been the wrong move: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/southwest-airlines-burbank-rcna221195
Tim Dunn - “AA & a potential PD partnership will never stack up to DL’s A350-1000 order. While AA is switching away from 321T flights due to the lack of cargo sales, DL has the lowest seat count on the new 32Q config.”
Weirdly obsessed
This is great news.