The U.S. Department of Transportation (DoT) approved a joint venture between Delta Airlines and Korean Air on Friday, advancing an initiative between the companies to expand the trans-Pacific flight network.
The Korean Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport is considering an application for the joint venture that was submitted by Korean Air. The combined flight network created through the venture would provide service to more than 290 destinations in America and 80 destinations across Asia.
“We thank the DoT for approving this world-class partnership, which will create more choices, frequencies, and destinations for customers traveling between the key markets in the U.S. and Asia,” Ed Bastian, the CEO of Delta Airlines, said. “We look forward to offering our customers the leading customer experience across the Pacific, with seamless connections, world-class facilities, and amenities on the ground and in the air, as well as substantial frequent flyer benefits.”
The joint venture would expand codeshare flights on trans-Pacific flights, and customers could earn and redeem frequent flyer miles on Delta’s SkyMiles and Korean Air’s SKYPASS program. Additionally, co-location at select airports would make transferring baggage and boarding connector flights a more seamless experience for travelers.
Terms of the agreement call for the airlines to share costs and revenues on flights within the expanded trans-Pacific partnership. Delta launched nonstop server between Atlanta and Seoul earlier this year in anticipation of the joint venture.