Delta Air Lines and Korean Air have decided to expand and deepen their partnership with an expanded trans-Pacific network that will enhance travel choices and boost competition between the U.S. and Asia.
The airlines signed a memorandum of understanding to put into action a joint venture arrangement, which will offer customers access to the most broad route network, industry-leading airline products, world-class airport facilities and a flawless customer experience.
Highlights of the agreement, subject to regulatory approvals, include the objective to generate a fully integrated trans-Pacific joint venture deal, with both airlines sharing the costs and revenues on flights and coordinating schedules for flawless, suitable connections, a joint network, serving more than 290 destinations in the Americas and more than 80 in Asia, providing customers of both airlines with better travel choices than ever before, and improved frequent flyer profits, providing customers of both airlines the ability to earn and redeem miles on Delta’s Sky Miles and Korean Air’s SKYPASS programmes.
“This agreement deepens our longstanding partnership with Korean Air and will provide the global access and seamless service our customers demand,” said Delta CEO Ed Bastian. “We look forward to providing customers of both carriers with industry-leading service between the U.S. and Asia.”
“This Joint Venture will benefit our customers by providing more convenient connection schedules and widen their opportunities in earning mileages,” said Korean Air’s chairman and CEO, Yang Ho Cho. “With this agreement, we will reinforce Incheon airport’s position as a major international hub in North East Asia and support the growth of Korea’s aviation industry.”
Delta and Korean Air will work jointly to put into operation all aspects of the co-operation including expanded codesharing, regular flyer programmes and joint development in the trans-Pacific market, with co-location at key hubs.
Delta will be introducing a new nonstop service between Atlanta and Seoul in June 2017, providing customers in the U.S. with greater access to destinations across Asia. Simultaneously Korean Air will introduce a third roundtrip between Los Angeles and Seoul and a second flight between San Francisco and Seoul.
