This past weekend marked a milestone in Delta’s global alliances strategy. The new codeshare agreement between Delta and Aerolíneas Argentinas kicked off, providing customers from both airlines with increased travel options to and from the United States and South America.
A codeshare is an arrangement in which two airlines share the same flight. Each carrier markets the flight under its own airline designator and flight number as part of its schedule.
“The codeshare collaboration between Delta and Aerolíneas Argentinas builds on our momentum in the region and reinforces our commitment to being the best U.S. airline in Latin America and the Caribbean,” said Charlie Pappas, Delta’s Vice President-Alliances. “The agreement expands our service offerings to customers traveling to Mendoza, known for its wine industry, and to Cordoba, important for its automotive, aircraft and railway construction business, as well as for the textile, chemical and agribusiness companies it houses.”
Pappas, speaking when the agreement was made public in October, said Delta would also be able to codeshare with Aerolíneas Argentinas on two other important routes, connecting customers from Ezeiza to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport and Miami International Airport.
“Aerolíneas is an excellent partner and a member of the SkyTeam® global alliance. We look forward to continuing to grow our partnership and to providing our customers with even more connectivity in the future.”
“This alliance with Delta Air Lines will offer our passengers enhanced connectivity to cities beyond Miami, New York and Atlanta, allowing them easy travel to the most important destinations in the U.S.: Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New Orleans, Orlando, San Francisco, Seattle, Washington-Reagan and Washington-Dulles,” Mariano Recalde, Aerolíneas Argentinas’ President and CEO, said in October.
“Aerolíneas Argentinas will also codeshare on Delta daily flights from Buenos Aires to Atlanta, adding a new nonstop route for our passengers traveling to the U.S.,” Recalde said. “It is a pleasure to see that one of the biggest airlines in the world trusts our services for their millions of passengers.”
Delta and Aerolíneas Argentinas codeshare agreement also offers additional benefits to corporate customers by expanding the scope and discounts coverage of their managed travel program to new airlines’ codeshared flights.
New connectivity options are added to the existing benefits for members of frequent flyer programs. SkyMiles and Aerolíneas Plus members have the ability to earn and redeem miles on both Delta and Aerolíneas Argentinas flights. Additionally complimentary lounge access, baggage fee waivers, priority check-in and boarding are also offered to SkyTeam Elite Plus members.