Etihad Airways aims to gain access to the US domestic market through a codeshare with New York-based JetBlue Airways.
The deal, which is subject to government approval, will see the UAE carrier place its “EY” code on JetBlue-operated flights.
This will initially enable connections between the two airlines at New York JFK and Washington’s Dulles airport.
Etihad will codeshare on 40 JetBlue routes within the US in the first stage of the partnership.
Further codeshare services are planned on JetBlue flights once Etihad starts daily flights to Los Angeles from Abu Dhabi in June.
Etihad also plans to codeshare on JetBlue flights between New York and select destinations in the Dominican Republic, Jamaica and Colombia, subject to US and foreign government approval.
Etihad president and chief executive James Hogan said: “The US is a major and growing market for Etihad Airways and this partnership with JetBlue will enable us to offer our guests more options for travel within and beyond the US.
“In addition to New York and Washington, we also fly daily to Chicago. Just last week, we also announced a second daily flight between our hub, Abu Dhabi, and New York City, and we will start flights to Los Angeles and Dallas-Fort Worth in June and December this year.”
JetBlue president Robin Hayes said: “Like JetBlue, Etihad Airways has quickly established itself as a premier brand built on excellent service and a high-quality product.
“We look forward to partnering more closely with the airline and affording our customers access to some of the world’s most fascinating destinations.”