US budget carrier JetBlue is expanding a codeshare agreement with Icelandair to make travel easier across the two airlines’ networks, including out of Glasgow and Manchester airports.
Passengers on connecting flights between Icelandair and JetBlue can have combined ticketing and baggage transfers. Those who fly Icelandair across the Atlantic can stopover in Iceland at no additional cost for up to seven days.
The current codeshare agreement covers direct flights between New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport, Boston’s Logan International Airport, Newark’s Liberty International Airport and Iceland’s Keflavik International Airport in Reykjavik.
Under the expansion, the codeshare will extend initially to seven of 24 European routes that Icelandair operates beyond Reykjavik, with more to be added.
The initial routes include Manchester and Glasgow and outside the UK: Amsterdam Schiphhol; Copenhagen; Helsinki; Oslo; and Stockholm Arlanda.
JetBlue and Icelandair have worked together for ten years. JetBlue launched transatlantic services to Heathrow and Gatwick this summer.
Robin Hayes, chief executive, JetBlue, said: “We are thrilled to expand our partnership with Icelandair to offer our customers more options when traveling beyond Iceland.
“With our recent launch of services to London’s Heathrow and Gatwick airports, this expansion with Icelandair provides customers even more choice for travel across the Atlantic and the ability to enjoy a stopover in Iceland en route.”
Icelandair chief executive Bogi Nils Bogason said: “The similarities between our business models and a strong focus on customer experience means that we can offer complementary service throughout our networks. We are very pleased to expand our partnership and offer travelers new options for connecting between the two airlines’ networks.”
JetBlue and Icelandair customers receive benefits across the arilines’ loyalty programmes. Since 2017, passengers have been able to accrue loyalty points from both JetBlue’s TrueBlue program and Icelandair’s Saga Club, and soon will be able to redeem points on either carriers’ flights.