Abu Dhabi, Aug 19 - The United Arab Emirates' (UAE) national carrier Etihad Airways has signed a code sharing agreement with the American Airlines that will benefit travellers from the region, WAM news agency reported Wednesday.

The new agreement will come into effect this week. Etihad Airways will start maiden flights to Chicago Sep 2, the airline said in a statement.

The agreement will also help expand the two airlines' global networks as well as between Abu Dhabi and key cities in the US, including Washington, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Houston.

Etihad Airways currently flies to two destinations in North America - New York in the US and Toronto in Canada.