REX signs interline agreement with Delta, effective Q3 2022

[Andrew Curran]

Rex has signed a letter of intent to enter into a commercial relationship with Delta. Rex says this will results in an interline agreement initially but if all goes well, the parties plan to upgrade the agreement over time.

While they are yet to work out the precise details, a Q3 2022 start date is anticipated, with all the usual interline features. Ex US passengers can travel through to anywhere on Rex's network. Ex-Australia pax can travel through to 50 US Delta destinations.

Rex says new/upgraded lounges and a frequent flyer program will be in place by the start date. Also some new 737 destinations.

 

[levelnine]

Fantastic news. If Rex can slowly upgrade its offering, that will really intensify the competitive landscape in Australia.

Rex to eventually join Skyteam?

 

[Mwenenzi]

REX

Media Releases

Rex and Delta Air Lines Announce Partnership
Monday, May 2, 2022
Rex today announced it had signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with Delta Air Lines, the leading global airline. The LOI confirmed the parties’ intention to enter into a ‘definitive commercial agreement’. The final agreement will see Rex and Delta providing reciprocal interline ticketing and baggage services to each other commencing during the third quarter in 2022.

 

[jakeseven7]

Interesting. Better hard product than UA.

Who is going to say it?

 

[Saab34]

Rex says new/upgraded lounges and a frequent flyer program will be in place by the start date. Also some new 737 destinations.

Three important connections missing are SYD-CNS/PER/ADL.

 

[Mattg]

They’ve literally just announced the intention to form an interline agreement. Hardly revolutionary stuff!

 

[HS-TQE]

It was predicted, but personally wasn't expecting DL to sign a 'preferred' deal with ZL (was predicting they'll prioritise QF over VA and ZL).

I would assume DL would continue to use QF and VA for interline in places where ZL doesn't currently serve.

Edit: Remove duplicated link already posted at top of thread.

Edit: Bloomberg article on some brief details of ZL's Frequent Flyer program to be operational (before the end of 2022)

Bloomberg - Are you a robot?

 

[Saab34]

“We’ve been through what I would say is the worst,” Sharp said. Passenger volumes on the 737 flights are now “very strong,” he said, declining to give specific numbers.

lol WHAT?

 

[AIRwin]

Very apt:
VA-UA
and now
ZL-DL

 

[Mwenenzi]

They’ve literally just announced the intention to form an interline agreement. Hardly revolutionary stuff!

An announcement of future announcement. {we know about those}

Three important connections missing are SYD-CNS/PER/ADL.

Can be done, via the scenic routes, except for PER

Where We Fly

 

[eastwest101]

Anything that gets Rex off their butts to reinstate/relaunch some sort of loyalty scheme would be a positive. Even if it is early days interline with DL.

Their latest press release already had noisy whingeing about fuel prices, I guess pilot shortages will be the next moan.

If Rex want to be taken seriously as a third domestic competitor they need to address the PER and TSV/CNS markets seeing as they have regional route base in those towns so if the idea is leverage off their superior regional network then it makes sense to link these up with B738 services rather than getting murdered by JQ fare wars on OOL -SYD and OOL-MEL routes.

 

[Saab34]

I feel like they are better off flying the longer CNS/PER missions and breaking even, or making nothing, compared to flying what appears to be half dozen sub 30 pax flights a day burning a million bucks a week. One flight had 4 people the other day, I mean seriously, what's the point.

My seat map to CNS and TSV in July School Holidays are nearly full.

 

[ANstar]

Whats the big deal with an interline agreement. If REX were a real airline they would already have interline agreements with a tonne of airlines. Reminds me of the early days of Virgin Blue where they did a song and dance at every interline they got.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Whats the big deal with an interline agreement. If REX were a real airline they would already have interline agreements with a tonne of airlines. Reminds me of the early days of Virgin Blue where they did a song and dance at every interline they got.

You're right that on its own an interline agreement isn't exciting. I mean what does that get a DL customer aside from assuring your bags get checked through to the final destination in regional Australia?

What will be interesting is to see what impact it has on the Delta medallion program. For instance, if you could earn MQMs on Rex flights, I reckon many of us wouldn't hesitate to book a Rex J fare to load up on MQMs. Remember that Delta is one of the few remaining airlines that does not have a 4 segment requirement to earn status. You could literally earn Delta Gold medallion status without setting foot on a Delta plane. At the same time, if our medallion status gives us access to lounges, extra luggage, preferred seating as is the case with many other Delta partner airlines, that could be a nice bonus too!

-RooFlyer88

 

[ANstar]

You're right that on its own an interline agreement isn't exciting. I mean what does that get a DL customer aside from assuring your bags get checked through to the final destination in regional Australia?

What will be interesting is to see what impact it has on the Delta medallion program. For instance, if you could earn MQMs on Rex flights, I reckon many of us wouldn't hesitate to book a Rex J fare to load up on MQMs. Remember that Delta is one of the few remaining airlines that does not have a 4 segment requirement to earn status. You could literally earn Delta Gold medallion status without setting foot on a Delta plane. At the same time, if our medallion status gives us access to lounges, extra luggage, preferred seating as is the case with many other Delta partner airlines, that could be a nice bonus too!

-RooFlyer88

All interline does is facilitate the through check of bags and negates the need (usually) to check in again. It doesn't mead there will be a codeshare or frequent flyer agreement.

Qantas have interlines with Thai Airways, Singapore Airlines etc and there is no mention of FF benefits.

A codeshare is a hint of a closer agreement, but really an interline is just the standard most IATA airlines have with each other.