JetBlue and Emirates airlines to expand partnership pact

US-based JetBlue Airways and Dubai's international carrier Emirates are planning to expand their current partnership, pending regulatory approvals and subject to receipt of foreign government operating authority.

The agreement will deepen a three-year partnership between JetBlue and Emirates.

Under the existing pact, customers enjoy the convenience of a single combined ticket for Emirates and JetBlue-operated flights, plus other benefits including one-stop check-in and baggage transfer.

Under the expanded agreement, JetBlue will place its 'B6' airline code on all flights currently operated by Emirates between the US and Dubai International Airport, as well as between New York's John F Kennedy International Airport and Milan, Italy.

Emirates, the largest airline in the Middle East, operating over 3,000 flights per week, started placing its code on select
JetBlue-operated flights in April 2012, expanding an interline agreement that dates back to 2010.

Current codeshare routes offered by Emirates on JetBlue-operated flights cover 28 destinations including Boston, Chicago,
Orlando and Puerto Rico. Since March this year, Emirates also began placing its code on additional JetBlue routes, including Bridgetown, Barbados, Cancun, Mexico, Montego Bay, Jamaica and Santo Domingo, Santiago and Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.

"As Emirates continues to expand its presence in the US market, our partnership offering with JetBlue provides customers with convenient connections from its extensive network to our seven US gateways, including our twice daily A380 service non-stop from JFK to Dubai," said Thierry Antinori, Emirates' Executive Vice President of Passenger Sales Worldwide.

"Offering a boost to tourism and added convenience for inbound travellers, the codeshare also gives Emirates' customers a new choice of destinations with the benefit of a single combined ticket," he said.

JetBlue's Chief Commercial Officer Robin Hayes said that Emirates' product and network is exceptional and has been providing their customers easy access to all corners of the globe in comfort and style. He believes this expansion will create additional ease of travel for their customers.