American Airlines Ends Codeshare With Qatar, Etihad as Subsidy Dispute Heats Up

American Airlines has ended its codeshare relationships with Qatar Airways and Etihad Airways, the strongest response yet by the Fort Worth-based carrier in a long running dispute over alleged subsidies received by its Middle Eastern rivals. American informed Qatar and Etihad last month it plans to end the relationship effective March 2018. The news was first reported Wednesday by Forbes. The codeshare change means American will no longer sell tickets on aircraft operated by Qatar and Etihad as if they were its own flights. Previously, passengers were able to buy a ticket that included legs on American and one of the Middle Eastern carriers on a single itinerary. Qatar and Etihad both operate daily flights to DFW International Airport from their respective hubs in Doha and Abu Dhabi. Qatar is also a member of the Oneworld airline alliance that includes American.   Continue reading...