The latest announcement from LATAM Airlines is good news for frequent fliers who travel with LATAM and Malaysia Airlines. As the LATAM’s departure from oneworld approaches, they are looking to form lasting relationships with other carriers, like Malaysia Airlines.
LATAM and Malaysia Airlines Partnership
Many airlines are making the most of 2020 and have sought out new partnerships and alliances. LATAM is no different and recently reached a new codeshare agreement with Malaysia Airlines. This pact is strategic for the Latin American airline as it prepares to exit the oneworld airline alliance this year. LATAM may be leaving oneworld, but they are maintaining partnerships with several members of their former airline alliance. As part of this effort, LATAM has announced a partnership with Malaysia Airlines. This means that travelers can soon take advantage of a codeshare agreement between the two airlines for six routes:
LATAM will be able to sell tickets on select Malaysia Airlines flights from Kuala Lumpur. Likewise, Malaysia Airlines will be able to sell tickets on the above LATAM routes from Australia and New Zealand.
As LATAM explores its new partnership with Delta Air Lines, it will also be defining its relationship with the remaining members of its former airline alliance. It’s entirely possible that LATAM may sign more codeshare agreements in the near future. LATAM’s codeshare agreements are particularly useful for customers who hold one of their co-branded credit cards, like the LATAM Visa Card. Miles and rewards earned from using LATAM credit cards can be applied to flights with Malaysia Airlines along the routes specified above.
LATAM Exits oneworld Airline Alliance
As a new decade begins, 2020 has seen some major changes for the oneworld airline alliance. Through its member carriers, oneworld offers service to more than 1,000 destinations across the globe. Oneworld has dominated the headlines in the airline industry lately, thanks to several upcoming changes. South American carrier LATAM announced its exit from the alliance, with Royal Air Maroc set to join in its stead. Alaska Airlines also announced that it intends to join oneworld in the summer of 2021. The coming and going of these airlines will mean a shift in codeshare agreements. These changes affect travelers who frequently fly with oneworld’s member airlines.
The departure of LATAM from oneworld is fast approaching. Originally slated for later this year, the airline will now depart on May 1. This means that many of the existing reciprocal agreements in place for frequent flyers will no longer be available. On the heels of the news of LATAM’s departure from oneworld comes an announcement that it has partnered with a member of the SkyTeam airline alliance, Delta Air Lines. Delta is a competitor of oneworld member American Airlines. As such, LATAM has already ended its codeshare agreements with American.
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