A little over year ago, Taiwan-based Starlux Airlines and American Airlines launched an interline agreement, which is the most basic level of cooperation that airlines can have. I wondered if there would be more to this over time…and the answer is yes! The airlines are now launching a codeshare agreement, and hopefully that also eventually leads to loyalty reciprocity (though it’s not a sure bet).
American & Starlux codeshare agreement details
Starlux and American are expanding their partnership from an interline agreement to a codeshare agreement. For context:
- An interline agreement allows passengers to book a ticket that includes travel on both Starlux and American, and have more of a seamless journey, with bags being checked between carriers
- A codeshare agreement allows the airlines to place their “code” on the flights of the other airline, and essentially market the flights of the other airline
Let me emphasize that while a codeshare agreement is a higher level of cooperation than an interline agreement, it doesn’t guarantee loyalty reciprocity, and it’s also a far cry from a joint venture (where airlines can coordinate fares and schedules).
As flagged by AeroRoutes, the new codeshare agreement initially allows American to place its code on Starlux flights between Taipei (TPE) and Los Angeles (LAX), Ontario (ONT), San Francisco (SFO), and Seattle (SEA). Oddly, the Phoenix (PHX) route is not initially part of the codeshare agreement when it comes to American placing its code on transpacific Starlux flights. In the other direction, this allows Starlux to place its code on domestic American flights out of Los Angeles and Phoenix.
Could we see American & Starlux loyalty reciprocity?
When American and Starlux launched an interline agreement, I mentioned how I figured there could be more coming. That’s especially the case when you consider Alaska and American partner pretty closely, and Starlux and Alaska have a partnership, which includes frequent flyer reciprocity, among other things (admittedly Alaska takes a different approach to loyalty than American does).
The thing is, the politics here are also complicated. We also know that Starlux wants to join the oneworld alliance, and big picture, that makes sense in terms of industry dynamics. That’s because the two other full service airlines in Taiwan — China Airlines and EVA Air — belong to the other two global alliances. But that’s seemingly not happening, because Cathay Pacific has veto rights, and is reportedly blocking Starlux’s entry into the alliance (while seemingly being fine with Philippine Airlines joining).
The added complexity here is that while American’s Asia network is limited, the airline does have a transpacific joint venture with Japan Airlines, so has a strong incentive to route Asia traffic through Japan, given the revenue sharing agreements in place.
Unless American plans to launch its own flights to Taipei (which doesn’t strike me as terribly likely), it’s not like the revenue upside here is huge, by simply codesharing with an airline. At the same time, I imagine that competitively, American realizes it needs to up its game across the Pacific in terms of giving customers choice, even if its not on its own metal, or part of a joint venture.
So I’m not surprised to see this codeshare agreement, and I’d assume (or at least hope) that AAdvantage management would also be pursuing reciprocal loyalty perks. So while nothing has been announced on that front, don’t be surprised if there’s more to this.
Among the full service airlines that American partners with that don’t belong to oneworld, the airline does have some sort of reciprocal loyalty agreement with all of them, with the one exception being Philippine Airlines (but that will change when the airline joins the alliance).
Bottom line
In the middle of 2025, Starlux Airlines and American Airlines launched an interline agreement, a really casual level of cooperation. Now a little over a year later, the two airlines are launching a codeshare agreement, which is a closer level of cooperation.
There’s still no sign of anything beyond that. We know that Starlux would like to join oneworld, but is being blocked by Cathay Pacific. I do hope that we at least see loyalty reciprocity between American and Starlux, as that would be great for flyers.
What do you make of of American and Starlux launching a codeshare agreement? How much more do you think we’ll see?
Interesting timing after the discussion here last week about both American’s premium ambitions and just how impressive Starlux can be. Starlux may not be joining OW anytime soon, but between its increasingly close relationship with Alaska and now a codeshare with American, it’s starting to look remarkably like a OW partner from this side of the Pacific anyway. If aadvatage reciprocity comes next, Cathay may eventually discover that keeping someone out of the club doesn’t...
Interesting timing after the discussion here last week about both American’s premium ambitions and just how impressive Starlux can be. Starlux may not be joining OW anytime soon, but between its increasingly close relationship with Alaska and now a codeshare with American, it’s starting to look remarkably like a OW partner from this side of the Pacific anyway. If aadvatage reciprocity comes next, Cathay may eventually discover that keeping someone out of the club doesn’t necessarily stop the other members from inviting them over for drinks.
CX doesn't wanna piss off Winnie.
Oh bother...
it's all because AA has no better friends to get in the market.
that being said, JX is an airline with lcc customer base disguised as a premium airline. the reason? Taiwan simply does not have enough business contracts to support three full-service carriers. Just look at their destinations: Hakodate, Shimojishima...... who else flies there internationally? Jin Air, TigerAir Taiwan, ohhh......
it may sound like a hot take for now, but it will...
it's all because AA has no better friends to get in the market.
that being said, JX is an airline with lcc customer base disguised as a premium airline. the reason? Taiwan simply does not have enough business contracts to support three full-service carriers. Just look at their destinations: Hakodate, Shimojishima...... who else flies there internationally? Jin Air, TigerAir Taiwan, ohhh......
it may sound like a hot take for now, but it will be either a JX and BR merger or JX bankruptcy. An airline does not survive on influencers or fanfare.
Starlux is being blocked by Cathay?
Cathay operates a mini-hub at TPE. If they continue to block then maybe the Taiwan gov should consider revoking all their fifth freedoms.
They probably are, but no need to start a war over this... *gulp*
they already did. that is why CX cannot fly to TSA.
yes, i agree!
AA best times were in the past, including. a HUGE flight network ex JFK base.
Had a lot of neighbors and friends based there. All over and even the good partnerships are gone, strangely ALL i do remember (TK, LX (SR), SN) are now at the same alliance, except AA!
Very sad development, especially as AA was my first frequent flyer account in my life since 1989 and gave me many free flights i took, mostly to Hawaii, ex Germany. Was a bargain.
I think this should be Starlux's whole strategy going forward. "We're not going to join oneworld because of CX, but we'll build codeshare and loyalty partnerships with every OW member except CX."
Expensive? Yes. Petty? Also yes.
Nice.
Petty on the part of CX, for sure.
You obviously realize CX is likely blocking it not for competitive reasons but for political ones given the situation between China and Taiwan right?!
Still no nonstop from JFK while their competitors both have one.
To your routing point, I actually liked connecting at HND en route to Taipei. Allowed for a few days in Japan on the return. JAL A35K is a great ride. JAL First lounge is excellent. Pushing through longer travel day outbound helped with jet lag slightly.
Someday... JX really should fly JFK-TPE, nonstop, on its own also-glorious 35K... *fingers crossed*
Of course, JAL (and ANA) are still fantastic, and, the more, the merrier!
You missed the news of Starlux also partnering with Smartwings for feeders in Prague. Apparently as a premium airline, Starlux decided to partner with the crappiest possible airline in every market :D
Queue endless questions on here about "I have an AA credit card & I'm flying on Starlux in PE, can I get access to the Qantas lounge at LAX?"
Can I? Helping you out here, given that nobody asked.
Great for American customers, horrible for Starlux customers.
There's enough AA does wrong (and I'm a huge fan of calling them out) that you don't need to dunk on a genuinely good move. Let's not pretend that access to AA's domestic route isn't a huge boon to Starlux.
Exactly!
The rest of the world knows it's a step down to fly on AA, UA and DL.
However, a lot of foreigners love the whole Americana vibe, so it's a thing.
"Great for American customers, horrible for Starlux customers."
Then it's a good thing that no Starlux customer, from now until forever, will be nonconsensually forced by the airline to buy a ticket that includes a flight on American.
For all the dunking on American, I am hopeful my AAdvantage stash will be even more valuable if/when I can redeem them on Condor and Starlux.
ThAAts the spirit! (I mean, well, obviously not Spirit. Ok, how’s this…’They’re greAAT!’)
AS partnership is enough. AA would make J availability more cutthroat than it already is. Please no.
Starlux and American should act as an alliance, even if Starlux isn't admitted due to Cathay Pacific veto. Let Starlux and American have relations and CX can refuse cooperation with Starlux.
Cathay Pacific operates flights from TPE to Japan.
Yeah, I think that this'll turn out similar to the existing relationship between AA and CZ, with the latter also not being in oneWorld cos of CX
Huge (good), if true.
I would assume they aren't codesharing with them out of PHX as AA have some fantasy that someday they will apply for route authority PHX-TPE and having an existing codeshare on the route would make approval more difficult.
Weird that it doesn’t include PHX/TSMC.
Not really.
Outside of a revenue sharing joint-venture, it's not surprising that Starlux wouldn't want American too close (and deriving significant third party data) on its contracts with TSMC. They may codeshare, but without a j.v, they're still competitors at the end of the day.