Icelandair is JetBlue's latest international partner. The carriers announced a new interline partnership today, saying the deal "opens up new travel opportunities for customers connecting between JetBlue's network in the United States and the Caribbean and Icelandair destinations throughout Scandinavia, the United Kingdom, and Continental Europe."
An interline agreement is a step short of a "codeshare" pact that allows airlines to place their code on each others' flights. Unlike codeshare alliances, interline agreements to do not typically confer reciprocal frequent-flier benefits between the partner airlines.
But JetBlue says in a press release the deal will allow customers "to book a single combined ticket for JetBlue and Icelandair-operated flights with one-stop check-in and baggage transfer between the two airlines."
JetBlue adds "customers may purchase JetBlue-Icelandair travel via travel agents, online, or through Icelandair's reservations call center beginning later this week."
JetBlue has been growing its number of interline partners, which now stands at 10. Among those are Aer Lingus, El Al, Emirates, LAN and even domestic rival American. Many low-cost carriers avoid such tie-ups, but JetBlue's current roster of partners gives its customers a number of international options that its rivals lack.
"Icelandair and JetBlue share many of the same philosophies and place the customer's experience in the highest regard," Helgi Mar Bjorgvinsson, Icelandair's Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing, says in the release. "Our harmonious networks from New York, Boston and Washington, D.C. and like-minded customer service make this a natural partnership. We look forward to working together and strengthening our relationship into the future."
Scott Resnick, JetBlue's director of airline partnerships, adds: "We're pleased to welcome Icelandair to the JetBlue network as our tenth partner airline. With its reputation for quality service, a comfortable in-flight experience, and an impressive array of connections across Scandinavia and throughout Europe via Reykjavik, teaming up with Icelandair is a great win for customers."
