Aeroplan Partners: Airlines You Can Book With Points

When I tell people I flew to Germany in business class for $79, the first question is almost always the same:

Was that Air Canada?

That time, yes — it was Air Canada.

But on the way home from Greece, I booked Lufthansa business class through Aeroplan for around $129.

That often surprises people.

A lot of travelers assume Aeroplan is only useful for Air Canada flights. But Aeroplan partners include Star Alliance airlines and select non-alliance partners, which means your points can give you access to flights on airlines like Lufthansa, Swiss, ANA, Turkish Airlines, United, Singapore Airlines, TAP Air Portugal, Emirates, Etihad, and more.

And this matters whether you’re Canadian earning Aeroplan points through credit cards or an American using Aeroplan as a Star Alliance booking tool for premium flights.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through:

• What Aeroplan partners actually are
• Which Aeroplan partner airlines you can book with points
• Which partners are worth targeting for premium travel
• How to compare partner airline fees before you book
• How to search for partner award flights inside Aeroplan
• When to use Aeroplan partners instead of Air Canada

The quick answer: Aeroplan partners include Air Canada, Star Alliance airlines, and select non-alliance airline partners. You can book many Aeroplan partner airlines directly through your Aeroplan account using the points you already have.

What Are Aeroplan Partners?

Aeroplan partners are airlines and travel companies that work with Aeroplan so members can earn or redeem points outside of standard Air Canada flights.

For this post, we’re focusing specifically on Aeroplan airline partners — the airlines you may be able to book with Aeroplan points.

The biggest thing beginners need to understand is this:

Aeroplan points are not just for Air Canada flights.

Because Air Canada is part of Star Alliance, Aeroplan gives you access to the entire Star Alliance airline network. Aeroplan also has partnerships with several non-alliance airlines, which expands your options even further.

In practical terms, that means you may be able to use Aeroplan points to book:

• A Lufthansa business class flight from Toronto to Frankfurt
• A Swiss business class flight from Montreal to Zurich
• An ANA flight from Vancouver to Tokyo
• A United flight within the United States
• A Turkish Airlines flight through Istanbul
• A Singapore Airlines flight to Southeast Asia
• An Etihad or Emirates partner award, when available

You do not need a separate Lufthansa account, ANA account, Swiss account, or United account to book these flights with Aeroplan points.

You search inside Aeroplan, choose the partner flight, pay the points and fees, and book through your Aeroplan account.

That is what makes Aeroplan one of the most useful points programs for Canadian and American travelers.

Turkish Airlines

Turkish Airlines deserves more attention from Aeroplan collectors.

The route network is the real strength. Istanbul is a powerful hub for reaching Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and parts of Asia. If you are trying to get somewhere that Air Canada does not serve cleanly, Turkish may open up options that other partners do not.

I would especially check Turkish when Europe availability through Frankfurt, Munich, Zurich, or Lisbon is not working, or when your final destination is somewhere that naturally connects through Istanbul.

Turkish business class can be a strong product, and the Istanbul Airport lounge has a reputation for being one of the best business class lounge experiences in the world.

Best for:

• Europe
• Middle East
• Africa
• Harder-to-reach destinations
• Creative one-stop routings through Istanbul

Watch out for:

• Connection times through Istanbul
• Fees compared with other partners
• Aircraft differences by route

Turkish is not always the first partner beginners think of, but it can be incredibly useful once you understand how to search beyond the obvious Air Canada and Lufthansa options.

United Airlines

United is not usually the partner I would choose for the most exciting flight experience.

It is the partner I would choose for access.

For Canadian and American Aeroplan collectors, United can be very practical because of its huge U.S. route network. I have used Aeroplan points to fly United in economy for exactly this reason: sometimes you just need to get to a smaller U.S. city or connect through a United hub.

United is especially relevant for American readers because Aeroplan can be used as a tool to book United award flights when the price and availability make sense.

Best for:

• Domestic U.S. flights
• Positioning flights
• Smaller American cities
• Connections through United hubs
• American readers using Aeroplan for Star Alliance bookings

Watch out for:

• Economy flights where cash prices are cheap
• Domestic redemptions that do not always give huge value
• Basic or short-haul flights where points may be better saved for premium travel

United may not be glamorous, but it is useful. And useful matters.

TAP Air Portugal

I used to think TAP Air Portugal was underrated for Europe travel from Canada.

TAP operates service from Toronto and Montreal to Lisbon, and Lisbon can be a helpful hub for Southern Europe, West Africa, and Brazil. On paper, that makes TAP a very useful Aeroplan partner.

But I would not currently put TAP in my “must-experience” category.

One of my clients recently flew with them and had a subpar experience. The cabins looked outdated, and the food was not good. That does not mean TAP is never worth booking, but it does mean I would compare it carefully against Swiss, Lufthansa, Austrian, Turkish, or Air Canada before choosing it.

That said, a lie-flat seat is still a major upgrade from economy if the route, points, and fees make sense.

Best for:

• Portugal
• Southern Europe
• Lisbon stopovers
• West Africa or Brazil connections
• Situations where other partners are not available

Watch out for:

• Inconsistent experience
• Older cabins
• Food and service not feeling as premium as stronger partners

TAP is a practical Aeroplan partner, not necessarily an aspirational one.

EVA Air

EVA Air is another partner worth knowing if you are targeting Asia.

It is especially useful for Taiwan and onward connections within Asia. EVA also has a strong reputation for business class, and many points travelers consider it one of the better Star Alliance premium cabin options.

I would check EVA alongside ANA and Singapore Airlines when looking for Asia availability, especially if your dates are not working with the more obvious options.

Best for:

• Taiwan
• Asia connections
• Premium cabin redemptions
• Travelers willing to compare multiple Asia partners

Watch out for:

• Availability varying by route
• Needing flexible dates
• Not always being top of mind for beginners

EVA is a good example of why Aeroplan partners matter. If you only search Air Canada, you may miss better routings and better cabin products.

Austrian Airlines

Austrian Airlines is useful for Europe, especially if Vienna works as a hub for your trip.

Austrian may not have the same name recognition among beginners as Lufthansa or Swiss, but it can be a smart partner to check when you are looking for business class award space to Central or Eastern Europe.

Best for:

• Vienna
• Central Europe
• Eastern Europe connections
• Alternative availability when Lufthansa or Swiss do not work

Watch out for:

• Route availability from your home airport
• Fees compared with other partners
• Aircraft and cabin differences

Austrian is not always the flashiest Aeroplan partner, but it can solve a routing problem beautifully.

Emirates and Etihad: Are They Aeroplan Partners Too?

Yes, Emirates and Etihad can matter for Aeroplan collectors, but they need a separate mention because they are not Star Alliance airlines.

They are non-alliance partners.

That means they can be valuable, but you should not think of them the same way you think of Lufthansa, United, ANA, or Turkish.

Emirates and Etihad are especially interesting for travelers heading to the Middle East, Africa, India, the Maldives, or destinations that route well through Dubai or Abu Dhabi.

They can also offer excellent premium cabin products, but the pricing, availability, and fees may not behave exactly like a straightforward Star Alliance partner award.

Best for:

• Middle East
• Maldives
• India
• Africa
• Premium cabin aspirational trips

Watch out for:

• Higher total costs on some awards
• Availability limitations
• Partner rules changing over time

If you see Emirates or Etihad appear in Aeroplan search results, compare the full cost carefully before booking. The seat may be amazing, but the value depends on both the points and the cash component.

One Thing to Know Before You Book an Aeroplan Partner Award

Not every Aeroplan partner charges the same fees on top of your points.

This is one of the biggest beginner mistakes.

People search for a business class flight, see the points price, get excited, and then only later notice the taxes, fees, partner booking fee, or carrier surcharges.

The difference can be significant.

Two flights may cost a similar number of points but have very different cash costs.

For example:

• One partner may have lower taxes and fees.
• Another may have higher surcharges but a better seat.
• One route may require a connection but save money.
• Another may be direct but cost more in cash.
• A partner flight may have a more predictable points price than an Air Canada-operated flight, but still include a partner booking fee.

This does not mean you should avoid partner airlines.

It means you should compare.

Before booking, look at:

• Total points required
• Taxes and fees
• Partner booking fee
• Number of stops
• Aircraft type
• Cabin type
• Layover length
• Arrival time
• Whether the flight is actually worth using points for

I go deeper into this decision process in how to use Aeroplan points without wasting them.

Do Aeroplan Partner Flights Cost More Points Than Air Canada Flights?

Not always.

This is one of the most important things to understand.

Aeroplan uses a zone and distance-based award chart, but Air Canada-operated flights can also be affected by dynamic pricing.

Partner awards can sometimes be easier to predict, although availability is still limited to the award seats that partner airline releases.

So the answer is not simply “Air Canada is cheaper” or “partners are cheaper.”

It depends on:

• Your origin and destination
• The distance band
• The cabin
• Whether the flight is operated by Air Canada or a partner
• Whether Air Canada dynamic pricing is high on your travel dates
• The taxes, fees, and partner booking fee

The base points price is only one part of the decision.

You should always compare the full total before confirming.

How to Search for Aeroplan Partner Airlines

The process is simpler than most people expect.

You do not need a separate account with the partner airline. You do not need to transfer your Aeroplan points to Lufthansa, United, ANA, or Swiss.

You search through Aeroplan.

Here is the basic process:

1. Go to aeroplan.com and log in.
2. Select “Book with points.”
3. Enter your origin and destination.
4. Choose your travel dates.
5. Search for flights.
6. Look through the results for Air Canada and partner-operated flights.
7. Select the flight you want.
8. Review the points, taxes, fees, and operating airline.
9. Complete the booking through Aeroplan.

In the results, you may see Air Canada-operated flights and partner flights listed together.

For example, you might see one segment operated by Air Canada and another operated by Etihad, Lufthansa, Swiss, United, or another partner. Aeroplan will usually show the operating airline in the result so you can see who is actually flying the plane.

That detail matters.

You are not just choosing a route. You are choosing the seat, service, aircraft, fees, and overall experience that come with that airline.

For a full walkthrough on searching for availability and knowing what to check before confirming, read the step-by-step guide to booking business class with Aeroplan points.

How to Tell If a Flight Is Operated by an Aeroplan Partner

This is a small detail, but it matters.

In Aeroplan search results, check the operating airline before booking.

You may see wording like:

• “Operated by Lufthansa”
• “Operated by Swiss”
• “Operated by United”
• “Includes travel operated by Etihad Airways”
• “Operated by Turkish Airlines”

This tells you which airline is actually flying the plane.

That matters because the operating airline determines:

• The aircraft
• The seat
• The cabin layout
• The service style
• The lounge experience
• The fees
• The baggage rules in some cases
• The overall flight experience

A flight number alone is not enough. Always check who operates the flight.

When Should You Use Aeroplan Partners Instead of Air Canada?

You should consider Aeroplan partners when they give you a better overall redemption.

That might mean:

• Lower points
• Lower fees
• Better business class seat
• Better route
• Better availability
• Better schedule
• Access to a destination Air Canada does not serve
• A more interesting premium cabin experience

For example, I would check partner airlines when:

• Air Canada pricing is very high
• You want to fly to Europe in business class
• You are targeting Japan, Southeast Asia, or the Middle East
• You need to reach a smaller U.S. city through United
• You want a better premium cabin than the Air Canada option available
• Your dates are flexible enough to compare multiple partners

Air Canada can still be a great option. But it should not be the only option you check.

Best Aeroplan Partners by Destination

If you are new to Aeroplan, this is the easiest way to think about it.

Best Aeroplan partners for Europe

For Europe, I would usually check:

• Swiss
• Lufthansa
• Austrian Airlines
• Turkish Airlines
• Brussels Airlines

Swiss and Lufthansa are often the most obvious from Canada. Turkish can be excellent if Istanbul works for your destination. TAP can be useful for Portugal, Southern Europe, West Africa, or Brazil connections, but I would compare the onboard product carefully.

Best Aeroplan partners for Asia

For Asia, I would check:

• ANA
• EVA Air
• Singapore Airlines
• Turkish Airlines

ANA, EVA, and Singapore Airlines are usually the most exciting premium cabin options here. Turkish can also be useful depending on your routing.

Best Aeroplan partners for the United States

For the U.S., United is the main partner to know.

United is especially useful for:

• Domestic U.S. flights
• Connecting through U.S. hubs
• Positioning flights
• Smaller American cities
• American readers booking Star Alliance flights through Aeroplan

Just compare the cash price before redeeming points for short economy flights.

Best Aeroplan partners for the Middle East

For the Middle East, check:

• Turkish Airlines
• Emirates
• Etihad Airways
• Oman Air

Emirates and Etihad are not Star Alliance airlines, but they can still be relevant Aeroplan partners depending on availability and route.

Best Aeroplan partners for Africa

For Africa, check:

• Turkish Airlines
• Lufthansa
• Swiss
• Emirates
• Etihad

Africa can be challenging with points, so partner flexibility matters a lot here.

Frequently Asked Questions About Aeroplan Partners

What airlines can I book with Aeroplan points?

You can book flights on Air Canada, Star Alliance partner airlines, and select non-alliance Aeroplan airline partners when award space is available.

This can include airlines such as United, Lufthansa, Swiss, ANA, Singapore Airlines, Turkish Airlines, TAP Air Portugal, Austrian Airlines, EVA Air, Air India, Air New Zealand, Avianca, Copa Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines, Emirates, Etihad, and more.

Partner availability changes, so always verify inside Aeroplan before planning a trip around one airline.

How do I use Aeroplan points on partner airlines?

Log in to your Aeroplan account, search for a flight using points, and look for partner airline results in the same search tool.

You do not need to transfer points to the partner airline.

When you find a partner flight that works, select it, review the points and cash cost, and book through Aeroplan.

Which Aeroplan partner airline has the best business class?

There is no single best Aeroplan partner for every trip.

For Asia, ANA, Singapore Airlines, and EVA Air are some of the strongest options.

For Europe, Swiss, Lufthansa, Austrian, and Turkish can be useful depending on your route and availability.

For the Middle East and aspirational premium travel, Emirates and Etihad may be worth checking when available through Aeroplan.

The best choice depends on your destination, fees, availability, aircraft, and whether the seat is worth the points.

Do Aeroplan partner flights cost more points than Air Canada flights?

Not necessarily.

Partner award pricing can sometimes be more predictable than Air Canada’s dynamic pricing, but the total cost still depends on the route, distance, cabin, taxes, fees, and partner booking fee.

Always compare the full checkout price before booking.

Can I earn Aeroplan points when flying partner airlines?

Yes, you may be able to earn Aeroplan points when flying eligible paid fares on partner airlines, as long as you add your Aeroplan number to the booking.

The earn rate depends on the airline, route, fare class, and ticket type.

Not every cheap fare earns the same amount, so check the earning rules before assuming you will earn points.

Are Aeroplan partners the same as Air Canada partner airlines?

There is overlap, but the terms are not always used the same way.

Air Canada partner airlines can include Star Alliance partners, codeshare partners, and other airline relationships.

Aeroplan partners are the airlines and companies connected to the Aeroplan loyalty program for earning or redeeming points.

For booking flights with points, the most important question is whether the airline shows award availability inside Aeroplan.

Is Aeroplan only useful for Canadians?

No.

Aeroplan is especially useful for Canadians because it is Air Canada’s loyalty program and connects with Canadian credit card strategies.

But American travelers can also use Aeroplan strategically, especially if they collect transferable credit card points and want to book Star Alliance flights.

For Americans, Aeroplan can be useful for United flights, international Star Alliance awards, and premium cabin partner redemptions.

The Bottom Line on Aeroplan Partners

Aeroplan is not just an Air Canada rewards program with a few extra partners attached.

It is one of the most versatile points currencies Canadians can collect, and it can also be incredibly useful for Americans who know how to use it.

The real value comes from the partner network.

ANA, Swiss, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, Turkish Airlines, United, EVA Air, Austrian, Emirates, Etihad, and many others can all expand what your Aeroplan points can do.

That means more routes, more premium cabins, more destination options, and more ways to turn points into flights that would otherwise cost thousands of dollars.

The key is not memorizing every airline.

The key is knowing how to compare them.

Before you book, look at:

• Points required
• Taxes and fees
• Partner booking fees
• Cabin quality
• Route usefulness
• Availability
• Whether the flight is actually worth your points

If you are ready to start searching partner award space and want to know how many points your target trip may require, the First Class Calculator gives you that number before you commit to anything.