Jet Airways has entered into a special code sharing agreement with the world's largest carrier American Airlines for India-US flights.
Travellers from various regions in India will have the convenience of using Jet Airways' network to reach London and then fly onwards to Chicago and beyond on American Airlines.
"This agreement ensures seamless travel to Chicago with one ticket from India including baggage. This will also boost sales of both Jet Airways and American Airways," industry analysts said.
The fleet of American Airlines, including its regional airlines, numbers more than 1,000 aircraft.
Sources close to the development said American Airlines was also now in talks with Kingfisher Airlines for a possible interline agreement to connect other domestic destinations through the latter's network. Senior executives of American Airlines and Jet Airways confirmed the development.
Earlier, American Airlines had signed a code share contract with Air Sahara. "We will not discontinue the code share contract with Air Sahara in the light of new interline agreements," said an American Airline executive.
At present, American Airlines is operating daily transatlantic non-stops between New Delhi and Chicago with its B777-200 ER aircraft. Sources said American Airlines was actively considering to start non-stop services to Chicago from Bangalore and Mumbai.
When contacted, American Airlines executive declined to comment adding "it is too early to comment on that".
Meanwhile, Kingfisher has concluded an extensive interline agreement with Delta Airlines. This agreement would allow Kingfisher Airlines to carry all Delta Airlines passengers arriving into Mumbai to their final destinations in India.
