Air Canada and United Airlines have signed a joint business agreement for the Canada-United States trans-border market, which the carriers say builds on their long-standing alliance, that will give more flight options and better flight schedules to customers traveling between the two countries.

According to the carriers, customers will be able to connect to 38 codeshare destinations in the U.S. and eight of the most popular cities in Canada, all while enjoying the benefits of the carriers’ MileagePlus and Aeroplan loyalty programs.

“With this new agreement, we are further strengthening our long-standing partnership with Air Canada,” said United Senior Vice President of Global Network Planning and Alliances, Patrick Quayle.

“As international travel continues to recover, this expanded partnership will provide an enhanced experience for all trans-border travel.”

The agreement will also strengthen and grow both carriers’ networks and help accelerate their COVID-19 recovery, according to Air Canada and United Airlines.

“United is a world-class airline and we are pleased to significantly expand our well-established partnership to further enhance the customer journey between Canada and the U.S. by offering more choice, greater convenience and an improved airport experience,” said Air Canada Senior Vice President of Network Planning and Revenue Management, Mark Galardo.

“This agreement marks a new phase in our evolving relationship that will speed the recovery from the pandemic and strengthen both carriers.

“It will also enable us to optimise our hubs and schedules and to broaden our global network connectivity to maintain our leadership in the market,” he said.

Customers who search for flights between the U.S. and Canada on United’s or Air Canada’s websites and apps will find more flight options scheduled at more convenient times, according to the carriers.

Codeshare between the two carriers will also be expanded and members of both the MileagePlus and Aeroplan programs will have more accrual and redemption options.

In 2019, the U.S.-Canada trans-border market was the second largest international passenger air transportation market in the world and the largest international market for both Canada and the U.S., as measured by seats.

Air Canada and United already cooperate in the trans-border market, according to the terms of their existing U.S. antitrust immunity.

Under the joint business agreement, subject to compliance with U.S. and Canadian regulatory and antitrust requirements, the two airlines will now be able to coordinate their networks and schedules, enhance codeshare on trans-border flights, sell seats on each other’s trans-border flights and share revenue on flights between hub markets, align customer policies for greater consistency and allow the two carriers to work closer together to advance their sustainability objectives.

The implementation of an expanded partnership builds on the existing close cooperation of the two carriers and previously acquired regulatory approvals.

United and Air Canada are also founding members of Star Alliance and a transatlantic joint business agreement with the Lufthansa Group.