Delta Air Lines and LATAM Airlines Group and its affiliates have signed a trans-American Joint Venture Agreement that, once regulatory approvals where required are granted, will combine the carriersโ highly complementary route networks between North and South America, providing customers with a seamless travel experience and industry-leading connectivity.
โLate last year, we set out to build the leading strategic alliance in Latin America together with LATAM, and while the industry landscape has changed, our commitment to this joint venture is as strong as ever,โ saidย Delta CEO Ed Bastian. โEven as our carriers contend with the impact of COVID-19 on our business and take steps to protect the safety of our customers and employees, we are also building the airline alliance we know theyโll want to fly in the future.โ
โWhile we remain focused on navigating the COVID-19 crisis and protecting the safety and well-being of our passengers and employees, we also have to look to the future to ensure the best possible customer experience and support the long-term sustainability of the group,โ saidย Roberto Alvo, CEO, LATAM Airlines Group. โOur bilateral strategic alliance with Delta remains a priority and we firmly believe that it still promises to offer customers the leading travel experience and connectivity in the Americas.โ
Since September 2019, Delta and LATAM have achieved various milestones in their framework agreement with customer benefits including:
- Codeshare agreementsย between Delta and LATAMโs affiliates in Peru, Ecuador, Colombia and Brazil that allow customers to purchase flights and access onward destinations in their respective networks and will be expanded to cover long-haul flights between the United States/Canada and South America, as well as regional flights. Delta and LATAMโs affiliates in Chile and Argentina also plan to sign codeshare agreements in the coming weeks.
- Frequent flyer benefits:ย Delta SkyMiles members can earn and use miles on LATAM flights, while LATAM Pass members can earn and useย miles on Delta flights across their respective networks. Reciprocal top tier loyalty recognition is expected to be available during June 2020.
- Smoother connections at hub airports:ย Customers can easily connect betweenย Delta and LATAM flights in hub airports where the carriers have collocated, including Terminal 4 at John F. Kennedy International Airport (New York City) and Terminal 3 at Sรฃo Pauloโs Guarulhos Airport.
- Mutual lounge access:ย Eligible LATAM customers can access the Delta Sky Club in New York-JFK and eligible Delta customers can access LATAMโs lounge in Bogota/BOG. Expanded reciprocal lounge access at airports throughout the Americas is planned for June 2020.
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WHAT TO TAKE AWAY FROM THIS ARTICLE:
- โWhile we remain focused on navigating the COVID-19 crisis and protecting the safety and well-being of our passengers and employees, we also have to look to the future to ensure the best possible customer experience and support the long-term sustainability of the group,โ saidย Roberto Alvo, CEO, LATAM Airlines Group.
- Codeshare agreementsย between Delta and LATAM's affiliates in Peru, Ecuador, Colombia and Brazil that allow customers to purchase flights and access onward destinations in their respective networks and will be expanded to cover long-haul flights between the United States/Canada and South America, as well as regional flights.
- โEven as our carriers contend with the impact of COVID-19 on our business and take steps to protect the safety of our customers and employees, we are also building the airline alliance we know they'll want to fly in the future.