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Norwegian Air lands JetBlue interline pact

Norwegian Air is seeking to bolster its transatlantic connections via an interline deal with US low cost counterpart JetBlue.

The planned partnership will allow passengers to combine fares in a single booking for connecting flights between Europe and the Americas on both airlines’ websites.

It will effectively combine the two complementary networks and is separate to JetBlue’s ambitions to start its own transatlantic flights.

The collaboration is due to start in early next summer and be bookable in early 2020.

Flights will be available through both airlines’ websites and travel agents using GDS booking systems.

The proposal will see more than 60 US and nearly 40 Caribbean and Latin American cities connected to Norwegian’s routes to Europe via New York-JFK, Boston and Fort Lauderdale airports.

Passengers will also be able to check in their luggage to their final destination. 

Norwegian acting CEO and chief financial officer Geir Karlsen said: “This will make international travel even smoother and more available for our customers.

“JetBlue is the largest airline at several of our key gateways in the United States, specifically New York JFK, Boston and Fort Lauderdale, and this partnership will create a plethora of new route connections for customers on both sides of the Atlantic.

“The partnership will provide travellers throughout the US, Caribbean and Latin America with more affordable fares to Europe and vice versa.

“And not least it will offer seamless connections with two of the most awarded low-cost airlines in the world.”

JetBlue CEO Robin Hayes added: “Norwegian shares our belief that customers benefit when we can bring competition and low fares to the transatlantic market currently dominated by joint ventures, legacy alliances and sky-high ticket prices.”

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