JetSMART and American Airlines announced a codeshare arrangement, an additional investment by American Airlines in JetSmart, and JetSMART joining American Airline’s AAdvantage loyalty program. As a part of strategic alliance, JetSMART and American Airlines have begun selling tickets through their codeshare agreement for domestic flights of JetSMART in Chile.
In July 2021, the airlines signed a letter of intent to create what they called “the broadest and most rewarding network in the Americas.” This included American acquiring a minority ownership stake in JetSMART, and backed by the Indigo Partners fund.
Earlier this week, both companies announced they are officially launching their strategic alliance with the sale of codeshare flights between the United States and Chile. They intend to expand the codeshare to flights in other cities in Chile, Peru, and Argentina in the future. JetSMART is also in the process of launching a new branch in Colombia, which would undoubtedly join the partnership with American.
Through this agreement, JetSMART will be able to expand its footprint in Latin America, the airlines said in a statement. Initially, the sale of tickets only included four destinations in Chile - Santiago, Antofagasta, Concepción, and Puerto Montt from the 77 routes JetSMART offers in South America.
Scott Laurence, American Airlines senior vice president of Alliance Strategy, said: “The alliance with JetSMART will enable American to expand its long-haul service between the United States and Latin America, giving access to our flights, our network, and our AAdvantage travel rewards program to more travelers in South America.”
Meanwhile, Estuardo Ortiz, Chief Executive Officer at JetSMART, said this alliance seeks to fulfill the promise of bringing air travel to every corner of South America."
JetSMART Chile has a fleet of 12 aircraft, including three Airbus A320ceos, five A320neos, and four A321neos. JetSMART Argentina has eight A320ceos, and JetSMART Peru has four A320neos. The company’s order with Airbus is for 100 new planes: 40 A320neos, 46 A321neos, and 14 A321XLRs.