A popular low-cost air airline is expanding globally. Southwest Airlines recently announced a partnership to offer international flights by partnering with carriers who operate international fights in Southwest markets. “Southwest is formalizing partnerships with international carriers to expand its network and connect Customers with more global destinations to generate additional demand for travel across the Southwest network,” Southwest shared in a news release. The launch of this new international flight program will take place in 2025, with Icelandair as the first partner airline, and will depart from the Baltimore, MD (BWI) airport. There, travelers can fly on Icelandair to Iceland, where they can connect to a variety of European destinations including Paris, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Berlin, Dublin, Oslo, Prague, Rome, and more. Icelandair is a discount carrier that operates international flights, and similar to Southwest, does not have a first or business class section on their aircraft. “The partnership will unlock many exciting travel options for our customers, and our extensive network in Europe will open for Southwest customers,” Icelandair President and CEO Bogi Nils Bogason said in a statement. “As part of our strategic focus on expanding our global partnership network, we seek out airlines known for exceptional service and connectivity.” As an example, a traveler would start their journey on Southwest from Nashville to Baltimore, and then continue on Icelandair from Baltimore to Iceland.
American's AAdvantage is now JetSmart’s loyalty program; more flights qualify for AA for miles
24.09.2024 - 16:21 / thepointsguy.com
Members of American Airlines AAdvantage have a new option in South America via budget airline JetSmart.
AAdvantage members can earn miles — including tier Loyalty Points — on all flights operated by the Chilean discount airline. And, importantly, they can earn points on trips booked directly with JetSmart and unconnected to a flight on American Airlines.
Mileage redemptions on JetSmart will begin later this year, though the ability for American customers to earn miles and elite-status loyalty points on JetSmart flights is now live. Previously, AA customers earned miles for JetSmart flights only if for codeshare flights booked via American. Now, starting today, all JetSmart flights are eligible to earn miles. (Accrual chart below.)
"Together, the airlines are creating the broadest network in North and South America, offering more ways for customers to earn and use their miles," American said in a statement. "The partnership enables American to strengthen and expand its South American network, uniquely providing customers with enhanced travel options and ultra-low fares."
JetSmart flies an average of 87 daily flights to 28 cities across Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru and Colombia, Cirium Diio schedules show. It connects with American primarily at Ezeiza International Airport (EZE) in Buenos Aires, Argentina; Jorge Chávez International Airport (LIM) in Lima, Peru; and Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport (SCL) in Santiago, Chile.
The Fort Worth, Texas-based carrier bought a 35.4% stake in JetSmart from owner Indigo Partners in late 2022 as part of a broader strategic partnership with the airline. American and JetSmart implemented a limited codeshare on certain flights in 2023.
The tie-up came after longtime American partner LATAM severed ties with the U.S. carrier in 2020 in favor of an equity partnership and joint venture with Delta Air Lines.
As part of the American-JetSmart deal, the South American airline is adopting AAdvantage as its own loyalty program. JetSmart CEO Estuardo Ortiz said in March that he expects the move will mean "more passengers, [and] it's higher yields" for his airline.
American executives have said that by adding JetSmart to AAdvantage, they will increase the utility of the loyalty program — already one of the world's largest — to its many members in South America.
Gol Airlines in Brazil is also an American Airlines and AAdvantage partner.
It is not unheard of for an airline to adopt another carrier's loyalty plan as its own. Finnair adopted Avios as its loyalty currency earlier this year, and Copa Airlines used United Airlines' United MileagePlus as its loyalty program until 2015.
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