JetBlue and Air China Strike Landmark Deal

by Shirley Brady

 

JetBlue Airways and Air China are partnering in a landmark arrangement for both airlines. The agreement marks JetBlue's 20th partnership and its first partnershipwith a Chinese carrier.

Later this summer, Air China and JetBlue will launch interline connections between their networks at New York/JFK as well as at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Then, subject to government approval, China's national airline this autumn plans to enter into a codeshare with JetBlue and place its “CA” designator on flights operated by JetBlue.

“We are pleased to announce this exciting new partnership here in Air China’s hometown,” said Dave Barger, JetBlue’s president and CEO in a press release. “The Chinese market continues to be a key portion of the global economy, and so we look forward to connecting business and leisure travellers between both of these well-developed networks.”

Mr. Jianjiang Cai, Air China’s President, added: “The partnership with JetBlue creates many connecting opportunities at Air China’s two strategically important U.S. gateways, New York and Los Angeles. It strengthens both our networks and benefits travelers of both countries.”

The deal was announced at the 68th Annual General Meeting of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), taking place this week in Beijing.

Air China currently offers one daily flight from New York and two daily flights from Los Angeles to Beijing Capital International Airport, and once-daily service from San Francisco and Vancouver to Beijing.

U.S.-bound travelers can connect from Air China’s Beijing flights onto JetBlue flights destined for cities including Boston, Massachusetts; Buffalo/Niagara Falls, New York; Chicago, Illinois; Charlotte and Raleigh, North Carolina; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; San Juan, Puerto Rico; and multiple destinations in Florida including Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, and Tampa.

Air China’s transpacific first and business class passengers can now reserve, at the time of booking, a complimentary chauffeured BMW sedan transfer from the airports in Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Guangzhou and Shenzhen to any destination in these cities. In addition, a bilingual Chinese-English Air China agent is on hand to meet and greet the traveler at the gate upon arrival in Beijing and assist him or her through immigration, baggage claim and customs all the way to the main exit at the arrival level for ground transportation.

 

Through Beijing Capital International Airport – Asia’s busiest airport – travellers can access other cities across China including Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Shenzhen, Xi’an, Guilin, Chongqing, Fuzhou, and Nanjing, plus many other vibrant destinations across the Asia Pacific region including Tokyo, Seoul, Taipei, Singapore, Manila, Delhi, Bangkok, Jakarta, Ho Chi Minh City, and Kuala Lumpur.

 

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