United Airlines Expands Codeshare Flights to Vietnam

United Airlines is significantly increasing its codeshare flights to and from Vietnam. New codeshare flights operated by Asiana Airlines and Thai Airways International are available for sale immediately, supplementing existing codeshare service to Vietnam with All Nippon Airways (ANA).

Additional flight options will be available on five weekly flights from Seoul (ICN) to both Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) and Hanoi (HAN) with Asiana Airlines. United customers will also now have access to daily service to both Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi via Bangkok (BKK) with Thai Airways. These new services complement the existing four weekly flights from Tokyo (NRT) to Ho Chi Minh City offered with partner ANA.

"We are pleased to expand our codeshare service to Vietnam, giving our customers more options than ever when traveling to the region," said Graham Atkinson, senior vice president - Worldwide Sales and Alliances. "With more members in Asia than any other alliance grouping, United and our Star Alliance partners are best-positioned to offer customers the most access to this rapidly growing market."

The Air Services Agreement (ASA) formalized between the US government and the government of Vietnam in late 2003 permits expanded codeshare flights to Vietnam by US carriers and their partners. United is taking full advantage of the codesharing provisions allowed under the new ASA by expanding codeshare flights to and from Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi from the current eight flights per week with two partner carriers, up to 56 weekly flights with three partner carriers.

United Mileage Plus members can accrue and redeem miles on all partner flights to and from Vietnam. Premier members will have their elite status recognized when flying on Star Alliance partners with priority boarding, check-in lanes, waitlist and seat assignments.