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In a significant move likely to reshape the landscape of transatlantic air travel, Delta Air Lines and EL AL have formalized a robust long-term codeshare agreement, effective now, with travel operations scheduled to commence on January 1, 2024. This collaborative effort is poised to revolutionize connectivity for passengers traveling between the Americas and Tel Aviv, providing a seamless and enhanced travel experience. The cornerstone of this partnership lies in the reciprocal codeshare and frequent flyer benefits that both airlines will extend to their passengers. Notably, travelers will now have the ability to earn and redeem SkyMiles or Matmid points across both carriers, broadening the scope for rewards and loyalty accrual. Delta customers originating from North America will gain access to EL AL’s nonstop services departing from key locations, including New York-JFK, New York-Newark, Boston, Los Angeles, Miami, and Fort Lauderdale bound for Tel Aviv. Conversely, EL AL’s code will be integrated into Delta’s non-stop Tel Aviv flights (once reinstated), as well as up to 280 same-day connections via Delta’s US gateways in New York-JFK, Boston, and Los Angeles, spanning destinations such as Atlanta, Washington DC, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Seattle, Dallas, and Toronto.<br/>

KLM defended itself against "greenwashing" allegations in court on Tuesday, asking judges to rule against an environmental group that has argued the Dutch airline's "Fly Responsibly" ad campaign was misleading. Climate group Fossil Free's case against the now-discontinued campaign is seen as a test of the environmental claims of the aviation industry, a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Fossil Free argues that there is no such thing as flying responsibly and that KLM should be banned from making similar statements including references to becoming "more sustainable". "A plane ticket is the most polluting product that a consumer can buy," Fossil Free lawyer Danielle Brouwer told judges. KLM, the Dutch arm of Air France-KLM (AIRF.PA), countered that it does not deny that emissions are a problem but it has a right to advertise about changes that it is making. "KLM is working super hard to become more sustainable," said lawyer Branda Katan, citing measures such as purchasing more efficient planes and plans to mix more biofuel into the kerosene that fuels its fleet. Regulators and advertising authorities across Europe have increased scrutiny of companies' environmental claims, including an investigation into consumer goods giant Unilever announced last week by Britain's Competition and Markets Authority.<br/>

Air France-KLM CE Ben Smith stresses any merger and acquisition moves must not weigh the group down as it seeks to boost its profitability by E2b over the next five years. The SkyTeam carrier was part of a consortium which in 2022 initially held exclusive talks with the then Italian government over a potential stake in ITA Airways, before Lufthansa later agreed a deal to become a shareholder in the airline. Air France-KLM more recently agreed a deal to take a 19% stake in Scandinavian Star Alliance carrier SAS and has flagged potential interest in the planned privatisation of TAP Air Portugal. ”Any investments we are looking at have to be within our risk profile,” said Smith during an investor call on 14 November. “It has to be clear to us that it is not going to weigh us down. ”We have a lot to do with Transavia, which is a major project, to have to look at transforming another airline,” he says. “That’s not something we take lightly. That’s why the 19% stake in SAS we are comfortable with. It’s not done yet, but we assume we are going to get there. And we view this as a very low-cost, low-risk way of participating in M&A. It’s in our risk profile, we are quite comfortable with it, and what we like is immediately SAS will exit Star Alliance, which we think is very big win for SkyTeam. And in the near future we will look at does it make sense to bring SAS into the Air France-KLM, Virgin, Delta joint venture.” He adds, “we’ll see” when it comes to other M&A opportunities in Europe. ”They have to be clearly aligned to the commitments we have made,” he says.<br/>