In early 2022, American Airlines and Aer Lingus formally launched a partnership. However, the rollout has been incredibly strange. We only saw reciprocal mileage earning introduced after nearly two years, and now we’re seeing reciprocal elite perks introduced after nearly three years.
In this post:
Details of the American & Aer Lingus partnership
In late 2020, Aer Lingus was approved to join the oneworld transatlantic joint venture. This previously included just American, British Airways, Iberia, and Finnair. Aer Lingus is owned by International Airlines Group (IAG), though prior to that hadn’t been part of this agreement, and the airline also continues to not be part of the oneworld alliance.
With this joint venture, the airlines can share revenue and coordinate fares, schedules, and routes, across the Atlantic. Then in early 2022, American and Aer Lingus launched a codeshare agreement for flights between the United States and Ireland.
This primarily included American placing its code on Aer Lingus flights within Europe, and Aer Lingus placing its code on American flights within the United States. This is intended to create a more seamless experience for passengers, so that they can easily book itineraries involving both airlines through either carrier’s website.
What’s odd is how little reciprocity there was with this agreement initially, both in terms of mileage earning opportunities and elite perks. We saw the mileage earning situation change in late 2023, and now we’re seeing the elite perks situation change in late 2024.
American & Aer Lingus frequent flyer reciprocity
Back in December 2023, American AAdvantage and Aer Lingus AerClub added reciprocal mileage earning opportunities. American AAdvantage members can earn redeemable miles and Loyalty Points for all flights that are marketed and operated by Aer Lingus. Miles are awarded based on revenue, which includes base fare and carrier imposed surcharges, but excludes government imposed taxes and fees.
Specifically, AAdvantage members can earn 5x miles per dollar spent on Aer Lingus flights (the same as the rate of earning on British Airways and Iberia), plus there are elite bonuses:
- AAdvantage Gold members get a 40% mileage bonus, for a total of 7x miles
- AAdvantage Platinum members get a 60% mileage bonus, for a total of 8x miles
- AAdvantage Platinum Pro members get an 80% mileage bonus, for a total of 9x miles
- AAdvantage Executive Platinum members get a 120% mileage bonus, for a total of 11x miles
On top of that, as of November 2024, we’ve finally seen the introduction of reciprocal elite perks, as flagged by @xJonNYC.
For example, AAdvantage elite members can now receive perks like priority check-in, fast track security, priority boarding, lounge access, and free checked bags, when traveling with Aer Lingus. This is a massive step in the right direction.
There’s still no sign of reciprocal award redemptions, though we’ve been told that those should be introduced eventually.
This partnership is really strange
I’m really confused by the execution of Aer Lingus’ integration into the oneworld transatlantic joint venture. Ordinarily, the whole point of these joint ventures is to create as much metal neutrality as possible, which means giving customers an incentive to also travel on partner airlines.
Typically when a joint venture launches (or an airline is added to an existing joint venture), we almost immediately see reciprocal perks between airlines. This includes the ability to earn and redeem miles, take advantage of elite perks, etc.
Now, roughly four years after Aer Lingus joined the oneworld transatlantic joint venture, and nearly three years after American and Aer Lingus started codesharing, we’re seeing the first signs of elite reciprocity.
Interestingly Aer Lingus historically had a partnership with United. The two airlines finally recently ended their codeshare agreement, but they still offer reciprocal mileage earning.
I have to imagine there’s a reason for this lackluster and very drawn out integration, I’m just not sure what it is. Anyone have any insights?
Bottom line
American Airlines and Aer Lingus launched a codeshare agreement in early 2022, roughly a year after Aer Lingus was approved to join the oneworld transatlantic joint venture. In late 2023, we saw the airlines introduce reciprocal points earning, and now in late 2024, we’re seeing the airlines introduce reciprocal elite perks. There’s still no sign of reciprocal award redemptions, though.
I’m happy to see the airlines continuing to move closer together, though I can’t help but find this whole execution to be very strange.
What do you make of the American & Aer Lingus partnership?
Unless things significantly change at EI, I just can't see myself flying with them again (as much as I would love a direct flight to Dublin). Their A330 economy seat is one of the worst in the transatlantic scene... there's a complete lack of premium economy.... and business class is always absurdly expensive with terrible award availability.
I always see business class availability between BOS-DUB or BOS-SNN and some times as many as 4 seats.
This is thru alaska airlines program. I didn't tried any other city as I am BOS based
Hi Xal, thanks for the tip about AS. I was just checking Avios.
The reason for the slow rollout and delay has to do with the technical infrastructure at EI. They’ve had to patchwork a lot of things together to make the JV, codeshare agreements and reciprocity work.
....plus EI managements complete dis-interest in having a loyalty program. Its almost exists under duress, because someone at IAG told them to have one. Having something (anything) checks the box for IAG to be able to market the Avios program, so they are not too bothered about the finer details either.
Aer Lingus operates just a single lounge in the US. What does this policy mean for AAdvantage elites when attempting to access AA lounges when flying on Aer Lingus? If access is restricted, then this just adds to the weird nature of the integration. Aer Lingus needs to re-join Oneworld, at least as a Oneworld connect partner.
Imagine a world where every airline codeshared with each other so that everyone could have the most seamless experience possible, and that prices were government controlled to prevent price-gouging, and airlines wouldn't constantly be starting up and failing making thousands of jobs precarious, because resources would be extremely efficient and used to the maximum. But no, profit for a few elite CEOs is more important than fully connecting our world properly and efficiently. And they...
Imagine a world where every airline codeshared with each other so that everyone could have the most seamless experience possible, and that prices were government controlled to prevent price-gouging, and airlines wouldn't constantly be starting up and failing making thousands of jobs precarious, because resources would be extremely efficient and used to the maximum. But no, profit for a few elite CEOs is more important than fully connecting our world properly and efficiently. And they pretend they're doing a good thing. You are all so dismissive of socialism and pretend that it can't work because you're too afraid to actually think about how the world could be better. Countries worked together to draft human rights, to fix the ozone hole, abolish apartheid in South Africa (under immense pressure from the public and pressure groups). We can do so much more than the little we have now. We can at least try.
Deregulation cut price for flying, but seriously crapified service. The industry consolidation into 3 network carriers seriously devalued elite status and mileage making both almost worthless. Competition doesn't exist in a meaningful way with oligopolies colluding. All the airlines have regular operational meltdowns stranding millions and don't pay any penalty. Ben praised Mayo Pete yesterday, but why don't we have something like EU 261? Both parties serve corporations and not the public. They only facilitate...
Deregulation cut price for flying, but seriously crapified service. The industry consolidation into 3 network carriers seriously devalued elite status and mileage making both almost worthless. Competition doesn't exist in a meaningful way with oligopolies colluding. All the airlines have regular operational meltdowns stranding millions and don't pay any penalty. Ben praised Mayo Pete yesterday, but why don't we have something like EU 261? Both parties serve corporations and not the public. They only facilitate crapification, no matter which stuffed shirt is DOT secretary.
The regulated environment you’re describing, Bruce, was exactly how things were in the US before 1978. Air travel at that time was certainly more comfortable, airlines were stable, and a lot of smaller cities had subsidized airline service. It was also much more expensive. In current dollars, the coach fare from NY to LA was over $900 in 1978.
We are not far away from $900 r/t, non-stop, coast to coast at the moment...
@DT: John's price was for a one-way ticket. So by your own admission, current pricing is still less than half of what it was in the "good old days".
@Bruce: which socialist country or countries succeeded in the past? Look at Europe only: was it the Soviet Union, Albania, Poland, Chechoslovakia, DDR, Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary? I am an immigrant from one of these countries. Are you?
Daniel,
Americans always assume more state control and ownership mean socialism in a totalitarian system like during iron curtain times. The truth is though that the systems in Scandinavia are technically socialist, yet the quality of life is very high there. Even the dear leader said Norway wasn't a shit hole country.
DT, the Scandinavian countries are NOT socialist. Yes, they have more welfare and regulations and higher taxes, but they are still primarily market-driven economies. I’m all for a more European-style of governance, but don’t mistake that for socialism. Honestly I think labeling that as socialism does more harm than good.
Jay, I don't think anyone asking more state regulation in the US is asking for socialism in a Marx/Engels sense. Socialism is simply a term that is thrown in the face by the opposition by individuals who deem any form of regulation a placement of hammer and sickle onto the Stars and Stripes.
All I wanted to point out that state regulation and ownership (e.g. Equinor) can result in a high standard of living.
So so so many things wrong with your statement Bruce. Where do I begin? First of all, I’m really confused by your “every airline codesharing” wish. Do you want every airline to sell each other’s tickets? Just go on Google Flights, they’re all there. Do you mean you want airlines to have agreements with each other so when things go wrong passengers can fly on a different airline? Guess what, they do! Do you want...
So so so many things wrong with your statement Bruce. Where do I begin? First of all, I’m really confused by your “every airline codesharing” wish. Do you want every airline to sell each other’s tickets? Just go on Google Flights, they’re all there. Do you mean you want airlines to have agreements with each other so when things go wrong passengers can fly on a different airline? Guess what, they do! Do you want every airline to JV with each other? You’re effectively wishing for a monopoly. Not very “socialist” of you.
Also, this “price gouging” narrative is really flawed. One of the biggest things airlines compete with each other on is price. If one airline is charging more than you need to, all it takes is one competitor dropping the price to gobble up revenue. Airfare today is lower than it’s ever been.
Also, you’ll be happy to know that during the 70s, also a time of high inflation, the government did put in price ceilings on a lot of everyday goods. You know what the result was? Widespread shortages. Empty grocery store shelves, closed gas stations, etc. Why? Cuz it turns out companies weren’t in fact price gouging, but responding to a shortage of supply and high demand causing a strain on their inventory.
And fine, I’ll touch on that “socialism” point too. We’re not dismissive of socialism because we’re “too afraid to think about how the world can be better,” It’s because we know socialism *can’t* make the world better. It simply ignores too many fundamentals about human psychology. And by no means is this a defense of capitalism. It’s not. But socialists identify problems based on what they *feel* is true, not what is actually true. Even in the scope of this comment, your “price gouging” point demonstrated a total ignorance of basic modern economics. How can socialists be the solution if they don’t even understand the problem?
Somewhere out there, someone has an idea about how to substantially improve our world that would actually work. Unfortunately, they’ll probably never get an opportunity to share it. The modern international progressive movement is too fixated on this “socialism” fetish, despite proving time and time again that it is a false idol and does not work. Please, just let socialism die. Again, not supporting capitalism, but we need new ideas that rectify the flaws of socialism that can actually make the world a better place
You’re wrong. Look into the history of socialism, WHY it failed (because everyone defaults to the position that it failed because it is not workable without actually looking at the history of mainly western intervention and sabotage of all left wing movements around the world). Airfare is low in competitive markets, but there are many markets which lack competition and airfare there is sky high. If all airlines were to codeshare and create a monopoly...
You’re wrong. Look into the history of socialism, WHY it failed (because everyone defaults to the position that it failed because it is not workable without actually looking at the history of mainly western intervention and sabotage of all left wing movements around the world). Airfare is low in competitive markets, but there are many markets which lack competition and airfare there is sky high. If all airlines were to codeshare and create a monopoly that was GOVERNMENT REGULATED (foreign concept to you and many but it’s possible, with a truly democratic government, to effectively regulate a market/distribute resources fairly in a non-market economy) and the monopoly wouldn’t be an issue. Trains are a monopoly in many countries (nationalised, state-owned). If we had a transgovernmental body that managed all airlines (and the airlines operated as sub-brands), maybe starting within the EU where legislation is streamlined across member states and then using that as a blueprint for the rest of the world. There were widespread shortages in the 70s because of the oil crisis AND because the market decided it would be more profitable to not fulfil demand than to meet demand. So shortages demonstrate a failure of the market, not a failure of government intervention. Again, just look at nationalised railway, and how successful that is in many countries where proper investment is put in and how affordable it can be. Imagine if entire fleets of aircraft could be repositioned around the world to meet demand without being worried about who exactly owns the aircraft and what kind of paperwork needs to be signed. Imagine the efficiencies that could bring. A MONOPOLY ISN’T A MONOPOLY IF IT IS REGULATED TO ENSURE SUPPLY AND AFFORDABILITY AND QUALITY.
This is a nice update, but I am curious are all reciprocal benefits even with EI when not on an AA ticket or connection to US? Any EI flights will be eligible for lounge/perks?
If this is right, this means AA has managed to get the better part of the pie compared to BA elite members as without some specific flights/conditions, perks are not reciprocal in general.
Flew Aer Lingus over the summer with my family and the lack of reciprocity was a surprise to me. We stood in line for 90 min to check into our flight (I was AA ExP at the time). We needed to drop bags and online was not available. Vowed I would not use them on an AA itinerary in the future, but maybe this will change this.