Korean Air and Delta Air Lines, founding members of SkyTeam, have reached an agreement to deepen their partnership with expanded cooperation in the trans-Pacific network that they say will increase travel choices and boost competition between Asia and the US.
On March 29 the airlines signed a memorandum of understanding to implement the joint venture. The ceremony was attended by Mr Yang Ho Cho, Chairman and CEO of Korean Air; Mr Walter Cho, President and COO of Korean Air; Mr. Ed Bastian CEO of Delta Air Lines and others.
Subject to regulatory approvals and signing of definitive contracts the two carriers intend to create a fully integrated trans-Pacific joint venture with both airlines sharing the costs and revenues on flights and coordinating schedules for convenient connections. This would create a combined network serving more than 290 destinations in the Americas and more than 80 in Asia. Passengers would also benefit from the ability to earn and redeem miles on Delta’s Sky Miles and Korean Air’s SKYPASS programmes.

“This Joint Venture will benefit our customers by providing more convenient connection schedules and widen their opportunities to earn mileages,” said Korean Air’s Chairman and CEO, Yang Ho Cho. “With this agreement, we will reinforce Incheon airport’s position as a major international hub in North East Asia and support the growth of Korea’s aviation industry.”

Delta CEO Ed Bastian said: “This agreement deepens our longstanding partnership with Korean Air and will provide the global access and seamless service our customers demand. We look forward to providing customers of both carriers with an industry-leading service between the US and Asia.”