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Delta Air Lines announced today that it’s signing a codeshare agreement with Saudia Airlines. The agreement supplements the airlines’ existing interline relationship and will start selling codeshare itineraries once all government approvals have been received.
Delta and Saudia are both members of SkyTeam. Frequent Flyers will continue to earn and redeem miles on both airlines and receive the associated benefits given to those with elite status. The codeshare agreement will provide Delta flyers access to nine destinations in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East beyond Saudia’s hubs at Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED) and Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport (RUH). Saudia passengers will have access to 12 US destinations beyond Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and New York John F Kennedy International Airport (JFK).
Perry Cantarutti, Delta’s Senior Vice President Alliances, said:
Saudia’s growing Jeddah hub and extensive network bring Delta customers closer to greater access to destinations across one of the world’s most important economic regions. Strengthening our partnership responds to customer demand for more travel choice between the Gulf and North America.”
The codeshare is a bit surprising to anyone that knows Delta’s history with the Middle Eastern carriers. Delta Air Lines used to adamantly oppose airlines from the Middle East being able to fly to and from the United States. It seems to have changed its tune recently as it announced a strategic partnership with the yet-to-launch Riyadh Air in July and now is codesharing with Saudia.
Anthony’s Take: I have no desire to go to the UAE, Saudi Arabia, or other Middle Eastern countries where I would be treated less than for being gay. I see how glamorous these aircraft are with on-board showers and lots of bling, but you won’t find me on board. I have no interest in plunking down my cash or accumulating miles to fly them. Maybe someday if the world changes, but for now there is a lot of the world I still need to see.
(Featured Image Credit: Delta Air Lines.)
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Advertiser & Editorial Disclosure: The Bulkhead Seat earns an affiliate commission for anyone approved through the links above This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. We work to provide the best publicly available offers to our readers. We frequently update them, but this site does not include all available offers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities.
