Frankfurt-based Condor expanded its operation this week with two new codeshare agreements that will have wide-ranging implications on its commercial success and ability to fill its planes.

The agreements form part of the carrier’s new strategy since the so-called Special Prorate Agreement (SPA) with Lufthansa came to an end in October last year. The SPA allowed Condor to feed its long-haul flights with passengers onboard Lufthansa’s short and medium-haul network around Europe.

When that ended, the airline was forced to rejig its network. It made cuts to some of its long-haul destinations in North America that were no longer viable as a result. It has also decided to launch routes to other important cities in Europe to provide its long-haul flights with its own feeder traffic, moving away from its traditional leisure-only focus and towards a more hybrid operation. It recently announced flights to London Gatwick, for instance.

Now, as it continues its expansion, it has signed agreements with Etihad and Southwest that will ultimately allow it to feed traffic on the other ends of its route network as well.

Southwest Airlines and Condor announce new US-Europe partnership

Condor became Southwest Airlines’ fifth airline partner after Icelandair, China Airlines, EVA Air and Philippine Airlines. It also comes after Southwest teased the launch of long-haul flights earlier this year.

The new announcement will allow Southwest Airlines to place its code on some of Condor’s long-haul flights, and onward short-haul connections to Frankfurt, Rome, Paris and Prague.

The deal comes into force for flights as of January 2026. From Summer 2026, the agreement will expand to include connections to Barcelona, Budapest and Venice. This includes Las Vegas (LAS), Boston (BOS), Los Angeles (LAX), Portland (PDX), San Francisco (SFO), and Seattle (SEA).

Condor director of sales in the Americas, Mikko Turtiainen said: “With the expansion of Condor’s partner network in North America, travellers benefit from a wider range of seamless and convenient travel options. The collaboration with Southwest Airlines enhances Condor’s transatlantic connectivity and provides our customers with an extended route network.”

Condor announces Abu Dhabi flights and adds Etihad codeshare

Condor has announced the launch of two new routes to Abu Dhabi, including its first Airbus A330neo operation to the Gulf. It will add daily flights between Frankfurt and Abu Dhabi with the aircraft from May 2026.

It will then launch a daily service between Berlin and the UAE capital with an Airbus A320neo from June 2026, marking one of its longest routes with the narrowbody plane. Its other longest A320 routes are listed below.

Condor’s longest A320 family routes

At 2,885, the Berlin-Abu Dhabi connection ranks second.

Etihad Airways’ code will be placed on the new flights. Condor passengers will also be able to book onward connections beyond Abu Dhabi on Etihad Airways metal. The carriers say that this includes destinations in Southeast Asia, Japan, China and as far afield as Australia.

Featured image: Condor

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