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Edited by: TJVNews.com
Delta Air Lines, one of the major carriers in the United States, has recently formed a strategic partnership with EL AL Airlines, Israel’s national carrier, according to a recent report on the Travel and Leisure web site. This alliance aims to enhance travel between the United States and Israel, making it more convenient for passengers to visit the Middle Eastern country.
Through a reciprocal codeshare agreement, travelers will be able to book their entire journey on a single itinerary, regardless of whether they are flying with Delta or EL AL, travelandleisure.com reported. This means that passengers can seamlessly check in for their flights, obtain boarding passes, and check their baggage all the way to their final destination, even if their connecting flights are split between the two airlines.
Additionally, the partnership enables passengers to earn frequent flyer miles on both Delta and EL AL flights, as was reported on the JNS.org web site. This recognition of reciprocal frequent flyer benefits further enhances the travel experience for customers. Delta, as part of the SkyTeam alliance, already has similar partnerships with 19 other airlines, as was reported by TravelandLeisure.com.
Matteo Curcio, Delta’s Senior Vice President for Europe, Middle East, Africa, and India, expressed the significance of this collaboration, stating that it will strengthen Delta’s connection to Israel and provide customers with unparalleled access to destinations across the United States.
In a statement obtained by Travel + Leisure, Curcio said, “Working closely with El Al Israel Airlines will further strengthen Delta’s connection to Israel by offering more customers unrivaled access to destinations across the U.S.”
“This partnership marks another important milestone in our long-term strategy and offers our customers unparalleled service,” Shlomi Zafrany, El Al Israel Airlines’ vice president of commercial and industry affairs, said in a statement.
The partnership between Delta and EL AL comes at a time when travel to Israel is on the rise, according to the report in Travel + Leisure. In 2022, over two million travelers visited Israel, including a significant rebound of North American tourists. This trend has continued into 2023, with Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport recording its highest volume of passenger traffic ever in March alone, according to The Jerusalem Post.
The collaboration between these two airlines has generated excitement among travelers. Yishai Fleisher, the international spokesman for the Jewish community of Hebron, tweeted about the significance of this partnership for those who frequently fly.
While the partnership brings several advantages for travelers, some industry observers have noted that neither Delta nor EL AL are known for offering generous redemption rates for frequent flyer miles, as was reported by JNS. DansDeals, a website specializing in travel deals, mentioned that both American and United airlines generally provide more affordable partner redemption rates compared to Delta.
Nevertheless, the partnership does open up possibilities for earning and redeeming miles across both airlines.
Furthermore, EL AL has indicated that Delta has committed to assisting the airline in its efforts to join SkyTeam, one of the world’s major airline alliances. If EL AL successfully becomes a member, it would further enhance the connectivity and benefits available to passengers traveling to and from Israel.
In conclusion, the strategic partnership between Delta Air Lines and EL AL Airlines signifies a significant development in the travel industry. By offering seamless connections, shared frequent flyer benefits, and increased access to destinations, the collaboration aims to provide customers with enhanced conveniences.
