Etihad Airways and Korean Air have announced a codeshare agreement covering daily services between Abu Dhabi (AUH) and Seoul (ICN). Under this arrangement, Korean Air will place its KE code on Etihad’s daily flights on the Abu Dhabi–Seoul route. Members of both loyalty programs, Etihad Guest and Skypass, will be able to earn and redeem miles on these codeshare flights.
“Codesharing on the Abu Dhabi–Seoul route will enable the airlines to leverage the strength of their respective brands and distribution channels for mutual commercial and customer benefit,” said James Hogan, CEO of Etihad Airways. The new agreement adds to Etihad’s growing network of partnerships; the carrier now has 46 codeshare agreements. In recent weeks Etihad reached a codeshare deal with South African Airways and previously announced a codeshare with Garuda Indonesia for the Jakarta (CGK)–Perth (PER) route.
This codeshare strengthens connectivity between the United Arab Emirates and South Korea, offering travelers increased scheduling options and the ability to earn loyalty benefits across both carriers. By sharing flight designators, the two airlines can present coordinated itineraries through their booking channels, improving convenience for passengers and expanding distribution reach.
Passengers flying on the codeshared services should check the flight number and operating carrier when booking, as the flight may carry a Korean Air flight number while being operated by Etihad aircraft and crew. Eligibility for earning and redeeming miles, as well as baggage allowances and other service conditions, will follow the terms of the operating carrier and the respective frequent-flyer program rules. Travelers are advised to review these details at the time of booking or contact their loyalty program for clarification.
For both business and leisure travelers, the codeshare provides greater flexibility for planning trips between Abu Dhabi and Seoul, including convenient connections through each airline’s wider global network. The arrangement also supports commercial cooperation on sales and marketing, as each carrier can promote the shared service through its own distribution channels and partner relationships.
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James Hogan, President and CEO, Etihad Airways