American Airlines Expands Codeshare With Starlux

American Airlines and Starlux Airlines have expanded their relationship from an interline to a codeshare agreement. The new deal allows each carrier to place its flight code on select routes operated by the other, simplifying bookings and baggage transfers for passengers.

American Airlines will initially place its AA code on Starlux flights from Taipei to four U.S. Gateways. Starlux will place its JX code on certain American Airlines domestic flights from Los Angeles and Phoenix. This enables connections to more U.S. Cities for Starlux's transpacific passengers.

Initial Codeshare Routes

The initial phase of the partnership focuses on specific transpacific and domestic connections. American Airlines will codeshare on the following Starlux-operated routes:

The source notes the absence of Phoenix from the initial list is curious, as Phoenix is an American Airlines hub. In return, Starlux will codeshare on select American Airlines domestic flights from Los Angeles and Phoenix.

Limited Benefits For Frequent Flyers

This codeshare is primarily a commercial and operational arrangement. It does not yet include reciprocal loyalty program benefits between American's AAdvantage and Starlux's COSMILE.

AAdvantage members cannot redeem miles for Starlux flights, including its business or first class cabins. There are also no reciprocal elite benefits like priority check-in, lounge access, or extra baggage allowance based on American Airlines status. The source, Live and Let's Fly, states this partnership "falls well short of the loyalty reciprocity many AAdvantage members would actually value."

The writer hopes this changes, arguing that Starlux would give American's members an attractive new way to reach Asia. American's own Pacific network is described as comparatively weak. Starlux already has a more developed partnership with Alaska Airlines, where members can earn and redeem miles.

Hurdles To A Deeper Alliance

Prospects for a fuller partnership face significant obstacles. The source reports that Cathay Pacific has allegedly blocked Starlux from joining the oneworld alliance, viewing it as a competitive threat. This makes near-term oneworld membership for Starlux unlikely.

Even if mileage redemptions between AAdvantage and COSMILE are introduced later, the source doubts Starlux first class awards will be available. Starlux currently charges its own COSMILE members 120,000 miles for a one-way first class award between North America and Asia. With COSMILE miles purchasable for around four cents each, that represents a cash cost of roughly $4,800 before taxes and fees.

A reviewer from One Mile At A Time recently paid about $5,100 total to fly Starlux first class by buying the required points. The experience included access to a private terminal at LAX and highly rated onboard service. The first class cabin features four open suites with no curtain separating them from the business class section.

The new codeshare makes combined itineraries more convenient. For now, it remains a useful but limited step. The future potential for loyalty reciprocity and elite benefits is the more compelling question for frequent flyers.