Aer Lingus and JetBlue have announced an expansion of their codeshare partnership with an emphasis on the U.S. airline’s Northeast focus cities. The bilateral codeshare agreement will see the Irish flag carrier add JetBlue’s “B6” airline code designator on four Aer Lingus routes. The applicable routes are flights from Dublin and Shannon, Ireland to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport and Boston Logan International Airport.
“Connecting our customers with more of the destinations they want to fly to ensures JetBlue grows its relevance in the Northeast, and by expanding our partnership with Aer Lingus we’re introducing new options for travelers flying between the U.S. and Ireland,” said Joanna Geraghty, JetBlue president and chief operating officer.
According to the dual press releases for the partnership announcement, “JetBlue and Aer Lingus customers purchasing a codeshare itinerary benefit from having a single ticket that includes flights operated by both carriers, as well as conveniences on their day of travel like one-stop check-in and baggage transfer.”
Aer Lingus became JetBlue’s first international airline partner 13 years ago, and the airlines formed a unilateral codeshare agreement in 2013. Passengers who depart Dublin and Shannon on Aer Lingus have the benefit of pre-clearing U.S. customs in Ireland, allowing for an expedited arrival into the U.S. This in turn creates advantages for connecting passengers on JetBlue’s network with a speedier transit through the New York and Boston airports. At present, JetBlue has the Aer Lingus “EI” airline code designator on more than thirty-six flights from those northeastern cities.
Lynne Embleton, Aer Lingus’ chief executive officer and chairman said of the partnership, “Our relationship with JetBlue is long-standing and valued. All at Aer Lingus are looking forward to extending a warm Irish welcome to more JetBlue customers. These customers can now travel seamlessly to Dublin and Shannon airports as we continue to connect friends and families, businesses and colleagues from the U.S. and Europe.”
JetBlue is expected to add its code designator to further Aer Lingus flights in the future as the Irish airline seeks to expand its international network with services directly from the United Kingdom. Earlier this month the airline recently began Airbus A321LR operations from Manchester, United Kingdom to New York following an inaugural service from the northern English airport to Barbados in October. A service from Manchester to Orlando airport in Florida is scheduled to commence on Dec. 11.
Manchester Airport is set to play a big part in Aer Lingus’ post-pandemic recovery and was welcomed by Manchester Airport Managing Director Karen Smart.
“The fact Aer Lingus has chosen Manchester Airport as its first U.K. base for transatlantic flights is a great boost for the region, creating hundreds of jobs in the process,” Smart said of the launch. “Aer Lingus’ transatlantic routes will no doubt be hugely popular with the 22 million people that live in our catchment area, especially now the U.S. has opened up to British travelers.”