Latest news with #airlinepartnership
Skift
2 days ago
- Business
- Skift
Southwest Goes Global with First Transpacific Partner
While still modest in scope, this latest step hints at a broader ambition for Southwest to build a powerful patchwork of global connectivity. It's a strategic shift that signals Southwest Airlines' growing global ambitions: On Monday, the low-cost carrier said it is preparing to launch its first transpacific airline partnership. Under the agreement, travelers will be able to book single-ticket itineraries combining China Airlines' transpacific services with Southwest's U.S. network, connecting via Los Angeles, San Francisco, Ontario, and Seattle. More than 30 cities across the United States are due to be included in the arrangement. Southwest says published connections should go on sale later in 2025, with service scheduled to begin in early 2026. Final discussions between the two airlines are continuing to fine-tune the terms and scope of the partnership. The milestone was announced at the IATA AGM taking place in Delhi this week. Southwest is making its debut at the event after it joined the airline trade body earlier this year. Andrew Watterson, Southwest's chief operating officer, hinted that the China Airlines deal may be just the beginning: 'We've found great interest globally in potential partnerships with Southwest and continue discussions here in New Delhi with several like-minded carriers.' Interline agreements offer Southwest a low-risk way to expand internationally without surrendering its independence. Andrew Watterson pictured with Kevin Chen, President at China Airlines. credit: southwest airlines China Airlines already has well-established U.S. links with Delta through its membership of the SkyTeam alliance. But as the largest U.S. domestic carrier, Southwest can offer China Airlines far greater onward connectivity — especially from Ontario and San Francisco, where Delta's presence is more limited. While notable, Monday's announcement was light on detail in some areas. For example, it remains to be seen what onboard options may be available for China Airlines' premium passengers. Ongoing discussions between the two companies are likely to explore these finer details. 'For Southwest, this new partnership marks another step toward chasing revenue sources it long ignored,' said Jay Shabat, senior analyst at Airline Weekly. 'Expect the company to announce additional partnerships with international airlines, but will it ever decide to fly overseas itself?' All Change at Southwest The agreement with China Airlines marks only the second such deal for Southwest. Last September, the U.S. carrier announced Icelandair as its first international airline partner. Transit passengers at Baltimore-Washington, Denver, and Nashville airports were the first to benefit. From July 14, connecting options will be added at Orlando, Pittsburgh, and Raleigh-Durham. It marks the latest phase in a transformative year for Southwest. The company is upending its decades-old business model following a bitter battle with activist investor Elliott Investment Management. After building a nearly $2 billion economic stake in Southwest, the hedge fund pushed for a senior leadership overhaul. Ultimately, the two companies reached a settlement to give Elliott five board seats — just short of control — while Bob Jordan remained as CEO. Distinctive features such as its open seating system, 'bags go free' policy, and boarding method are also changing. Other moves include the addition of extra legroom seats and the introduction of red-eye flying on select routes are signs that even Southwest's most iconic elements are not off-limits as it overhauls its business model. What am I looking at? The performance of airline sector stocks within the ST200. The index includes companies publicly traded across global markets including network carriers, low-cost carriers, and other related companies. The Skift Travel 200 (ST200) combines the financial performance of nearly 200 travel companies worth more than a trillion dollars into a single number. See more airlines sector financial performance. Read the full methodology behind the Skift Travel 200.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
United Airlines and JetBlue Just Linked Loyalty Programs—What to Know
United Airlines and JetBlue recently launched a new partnership, Blue Sky. Passengers can now earn and redeem reciprocal loyalty and award benefits with each carrier. Program members will also get extra perks such as one free bag, seats with extra leg room, and the ability to make same-day changes to tickets.A new airline partnership is taking Airlines and JetBlue recently linked loyalty programs and now provide the opportunity to book award flights on each airline, regardless of where the miles were originally earned. The airlines will also exchange gate space at hub airports, with United making a return to New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) for the first time since 2015, thanks to the JetBlue gates. Similarly, JetBlue is taking some of United's gates at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). The "unique consumer collaboration" has been dubbed Blue Sky. However, the airlines have clarified that the move is not a merger, nor a codeshare. It's simply a way to provide reciprocal loyalty and award benefits, and share competitive gate space at popular airports. Members of United's MileagePlus program will receive priority bag handling, check-in, and security. Travelers will also receive a minimum of one free checked bag and other perks such as extra legroom seats and same-day changes. JetBlue TrueBlue members will receive similar benefits when flying on United. The partnership also provides the opportunity for United frequent flyers to use miles on destinations that the airline does not currently fly to, such as Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts; Cartagena, Colombia; and Ponce, Puerto Rico.'We're always looking for ways to give United Airlines MileagePlus members even more value and benefits, and Blue Sky will do just that with new, unique ways to use your hard-earned miles and find options that fit your schedule," United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby said in a statement shared with Travel + Leisure. Since United Airlines is a part of Star Alliance, the carrier's reintroduction to John F. Kennedy International Airport will add significant connection opportunities for both domestic and international travelers. Starting in 2027, JetBlue will provide United with enough gates for seven daily round-trip flights, the release example, United passengers would be able to connect to fellow alliance members at the airport, including Air Canada, Air China, Air New Zealand, All Nippon Airways, Avianca, Singapore Airlines, Lufthansa, Swiss International Air Lines, and Turkish Airlines. The JetBlue partnership is just the latest innovation from United. In January, the Chicago-based carrier announced it would introduce free Starlink Wi-Fi onboard its aircraft, which the airline has already begun deploying. United also recently unveiled a new service class, Polaris Studio, which is larger than its current business offering. Read the original article on Travel & Leisure Sign in to access your portfolio
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3 days ago
- Business
United Airlines and JetBlue Just Linked Loyalty Programs—What to Know
A new airline partnership is taking flight. United Airlines and JetBlue recently linked loyalty programs and now provide the opportunity to book award flights on each airline, regardless of where the miles were originally earned. The airlines will also exchange gate space at hub airports, with United making a return to New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) for the first time since 2015, thanks to the JetBlue gates. Similarly, JetBlue is taking some of United's gates at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). The "unique consumer collaboration" has been dubbed Blue Sky. However, the airlines have clarified that the move is not a merger, nor a codeshare. It's simply a way to provide reciprocal loyalty and award benefits, and share competitive gate space at popular airports. Members of United's MileagePlus program will receive priority bag handling, check-in, and security. Travelers will also receive a minimum of one free checked bag and other perks such as extra legroom seats and same-day changes. JetBlue TrueBlue members will receive similar benefits when flying on United. The partnership also provides the opportunity for United frequent flyers to use miles on destinations that the airline does not currently fly to, such as Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts; Cartagena, Colombia; and Ponce, Puerto Rico. 'We're always looking for ways to give United Airlines MileagePlus members even more value and benefits, and Blue Sky will do just that with new, unique ways to use your hard-earned miles and find options that fit your schedule," United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby said in a statement shared with Travel + Leisure . Since United Airlines is a part of Star Alliance, the carrier's reintroduction to John F. Kennedy International Airport will add significant connection opportunities for both domestic and international travelers. Starting in 2027, JetBlue will provide United with enough gates for seven daily round-trip flights, the release shared. For example, United passengers would be able to connect to fellow alliance members at the airport, including Air Canada, Air China, Air New Zealand, All Nippon Airways, Avianca, Singapore Airlines, Lufthansa, Swiss International Air Lines, and Turkish Airlines. The JetBlue partnership is just the latest innovation from United. In January, the Chicago-based carrier announced it would introduce free Starlink Wi-Fi onboard its aircraft, which the airline has already begun deploying. United also recently unveiled a new service class, Polaris Studio, which is larger than its current business offering.
Bloomberg
6 days ago
- Business
- Bloomberg
United, JetBlue Partner to Integrate NYC Area Operations
00:00 JetBlue and American once had a partnership that the regulators forced them to dismantle. Is this partnership with United similar to that, or is it a lower grade version of that? Yeah, it's a much lower grade. So American and JetBlue, I think, were coordinating schedules and things like that. You're not going to have schedules, coordination here. To me, it really looks like United gets a bit more of Kennedy. You know, they get some Kennedy slots, a little bit of access to one of JetBlue's markets. And JetBlue is going to get a little more access to Newark. You know, the Kennedy's got is really dominated by Delta. And I think United can come into that market and probably grab some pretty nice fares. Right, Because typically when you dominate the market like Delta does, a Kennedy or United does in Newark, you command an above average fare out of that market. So United can come in there, probably offer some international flights and probably pick up some really good fares. You know, again, off competition with Delta, where JetBlue will get a little more access to Newark. Spirit Airlines is really prevalent at Newark. So so JetBlue plays that same role over in the Newark airport. And I'm glad you bring up spirit because, of course, JetBlue was hurt by a federal court's decision to block its merger with Spirit Airlines. Does this does this prevent or preclude the need for JetBlue to find another actual partner or M & A partner? Well, I mean, I think long term, JetBlue really, you know, they're sort of an East Coast Caribbean airline. And I think long term, they have to grow into something different from that, either organically or go find something to provide a full offering, you know, to their customers. That's I mean, that's why United helps here, because being able to book and each other's apps and share some of that frequent flier miles means that if you're if you're a JetBlue customer that wants to go to Europe, you can now do it and still get points or potentially use your points for it. So it helps it helps expand their offerings. So I think it helps it. But I still think long term, JetBlue needs a better solution to that. And I don't think this is a full solution.
Trade Arabia
28-05-2025
- Business
- Trade Arabia
Cebu Pacific, flyadeal enter wet lease, cooperation deal
Cebu Pacific (CEB), Philippines' leading carrier, and flyadeal, Saudi Arabia's fast growing low-cost airline, today signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to explore joint strategic commercial initiatives. The agreement covers a wide range of opportunities in commercial cooperation and support in maintenance and engineering. The first phase of the MoU will see flyadeal utilise two of Cebu Pacific's Airbus A320 aircraft on a wet-lease arrangement for the upcoming summer peak flying season in Saudi Arabia. Reciprocally, Cebu Pacific is examining wet-leasing flyadeal A320s during the busy winter period in Southeast Asia at the end of the year. The agreement was signed at a joint press conference held in Manila on May 28 at which flyadeal Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Steven Greenway and Cebu Pacific CEO Mike Szucs outlined plans for a phased cooperation beginning with the wet-lease arrangement. Talks between the two airlines began earlier this year following a visit by Greenway and a flyadeal delegation to Manila to learn more about Cebu Pacific's A330-900neo operations. flyadeal, the Middle East's fastest growing airline, recently announced plans to venture into the long-haul market with an order for 10 A330 widebodies to be deployed between Saudi Arabia and the Philippines, and across southeast Asia from 2027. Greenway said: 'Today's agreement is momentous as it marks flyadeal's first ever strategic airline partnership. It was clear and obvious that flyadeal could learn a lot from Cebu Pacific's experience of low-cost long-haul operations given we will be inducting the same A330-900neos into our fleet in just two years' time. There are great benefits in sharing technical knowledge, training, and best practice in preparation for our A330 induction and, of course, we are both A320 operators. 'This was the starting point for wide-ranging commercial discussions covering a broad range of areas including more immediate needs of wet-leasing aircraft for flyadeal's busy upcoming summer season. A win, win situation all round to bring in Cebu Pacific aircraft during our peak period and vice versa for Mike and his team to explore taking our aircraft for their winter peak later this year.' Szucs explained: 'With Cebu Pacific's growing fleet, we seek to maximize the potential of our increased capacity through all months of the year. The utilization of our capacity by other carriers during our lean season is a way of achieving that.' 'This partnership with flyadeal highlights Cebu Pacific's growing capability to support international carriers through wet leasing and broader operational collaboration. It diversifies our revenue streams and further expands Cebu Pacific's presence beyond the Asia Pacific region.'
