United Airlines and Airlink Sign New Codeshare Agreement

United Airlines and Airlink, a South African airline, have entered into a new codeshare agreement that will offer customers more connections between the U.S. and Southern Africa than any other airline alliance.

The new agreement, which is subject to government approval, will offer one-stop connections from the U.S. to more than 40 destinations in Southern Africa.

Additionally, United will be the first airline to connect its loyalty program with Airlink, allowing MileagePlus members to earn and redeem miles when they travel on Airlink flights.

This new cooperation will be in addition to United's existing partnership with Star Alliance member South African Airways.

United has continued to expand its footprint into Africa, with direct service to four African destinations.

Earlier this month, United announced flights between Washington, D.C. and Lagos Nigeria will begin November 29, subject to government approval.

Earlier this year, United launched a new service between New York/Newark and Johannesburg, South Africa, and between Washington, D.C. and Accra, Ghana, which is expected to operate daily this December and January.

United's popular service between New York/Newark and Cape Town, South Africa will also resume on December 1, 2021.