Chile’s JetSmart and American Airlines launch strategic alliance

Chile’s JetSmart and American Airlines have launched a strategic alliance and will begin to sell codeshare flights between the United States and Chile. The Santiago-based ultra-low-cost carrier said on 5 June that the deal includes “an extensive network of codeshare routes, as well as access, in the medium term, for JetSmart customers to the American Airlines AAdvantage loyalty programme”. “The alliance includes a minority investment by American in JetSmart, which will help further the company’s development in South America,” Jetsmart says. JetSmart CE Estuardo Ortiz says the collaboration with American is “making history” and positions the carrier to achieve “our vision of reaching 100m passengers and 100 aircraft by 2028”. “Through this agreement, JetSmart will have a boost to expand in Latin America and contribute to the regional economy through greater dynamism in tourism and other productive sectors in which air transport is essential,” Ortiz adds. Ticket sales began on 1 June, with codeshare flights to begin on 15 June, JetSmart says. The deal covers the sale of tickets to and from the United States connecting with routes in Chile, namely to Santiago, Antofagasta, Concepción and Puerto Montt. “In the coming weeks, new codeshare routes will be made available to travellers from other regions of Chile and Peru,” the carrier adds. ”In Argentina, more codeshare routes will be added, upon obtaining government approval.” JetSmart says it expects to join the AAdvantage loyalty programme “later this year”. <br/>