There are few industries which are impacted as bad as Aviation by the current pandemic. Airlines have got aid from governments, yet there have been airlines which have gone into voluntary administration or grounded. Amidst this, JetBlue and American Airlines have announced a strategic partnership. American Airlines had also signed a strategic partnership with Alaska Airlines in February 2020.
This will create seamless connectivity for travelers in the Northeast of USA and more choice for customers across their complementary domestic and international networks. In addition, the relationship will accelerate each airline’s recovery as the travel industry adapts to new trends as a result of the pandemic. The partnership includes an alliance agreement that proposes code share and loyalty benefits that will enhance each carrier’s offerings in New York and Boston, providing strategic growth and driving value for customers and team members of both airlines.
There will be multiple benefits which start with new and expanded routes. American will launch international service from New York (JFK) to Tel Aviv (TLV) and to Athens (ATH) and JFK to Rio De Janeiro (GIG) will return as a daily seasonal route in winter 2021, in addition to continuing to serve popular long-haul destinations like London (LHR) and Madrid (MAD). JetBlue will also accelerate its growth in key cities, bringing its award-winning service to more customers. JetBlue will grow in greater New York City, adding flights at LaGuardia (LGA) and Newark (EWR), while also increasing its presence at JFK for seamless connections to American’s expanded international network. JetBlue plans to enhance service to strategic markets on the East Coast, West Coast, and in the Southeast, building on JetBlue’s recently announced service between EWR and nine markets, including Mint® service to Los Angeles (LAX) and San Francisco (SFO).
Through this integrated networks, JetBlue and American will operate reciprocal code share flights, giving customers improves schedules on certain routes, competitive fares and non-stop access to more destinations. JetBlue will gain connectivity to more U.S. destinations, a broad global network and an improved frequent flyer proposition, while American will complement JetBlue’s improved and expanded service with new international routes.
Passengers will enjoy a seamless experience across both airlines, including the ability to book a single itinerary on either website, convenient connections and an improved on-the-ground experience. The partnership between American and JetBlue enables sustainable international growth for customers in the Northeast from JFK, which will continue to complement the robust international service from Philadelphia (PHL), for even more options.
As New York’s Hometown Airline®, JetBlue plans to increase flying out of New York’s three major airports, bringing its award-winning experience to more customers. Its growth at JFK will be aimed at offering even more connection opportunities to American’s growing international network of destinations. From both New York and Boston, JetBlue plans to enhance service to strategic markets, including those on the East Coast, West Coast, and in the Southeast. This will further build on JetBlue’s recently announced growth between EWR and nine markets, including Mint service to LAX and SFO.
It will be interesting to see how the other main airlines in the USA – Delta and United, react to this news. American was the largest American airline in 2019 and the partnership with JetBlue could take the airline further away from the rest.
NetworkThoughts 