Delta and airBaltic are teaming up, and I can’t help but wonder if this might only be the start of closer cooperation.
In this post:
Delta & airBaltic add codeshare agreement
As of November 22, 2023, Delta and airBaltic will be launching a codeshare partnership.
For context, airBaltic is the Latvian flag carrier, which has a massive fleet of Airbus A220-300s (the airline hopes to have 100 of these by 2030). airBaltic has a large network to and from Northern Europe, in particular to Riga, Latvia (RIX), Tallinn, Estonia (TLL), and Vilnius, Lithuania (VNO). Honestly, all of those countries are incredibly underrated and worth a visit, despite perhaps not being on the “mainstream” radar for American travelers.
Delta describes this partnership as helping to serve the unprecedented demand for travel across the Atlantic. Delta plans to place its code on 20 airBaltic operated routes to airBaltic’s three biggest markets (highlighted above). With this codeshare arrangement, travelers will easily be able to book tickets including travel on both airlines, check bags through to their final destination, etc.
Here’s how Delta’s President of International, Alain Bellemare, describes this development:
“Enhanced partnerships are integral to our long-term strategy to better connect Delta customers to more of the world. Working closely with airBaltic will further strengthen Delta’s connection to this vibrant European region and offer consumers in the Baltics unrivalled access to destinations across the United States.”
Here’s how airBaltic CEO’s, Martin Gauss, describes this new partnership:
“This marks a historic achievement for airBaltic and Latvia, as we embark on expanding our network across the Atlantic Ocean. The collaboration with Delta, known for its expansive network and international cooperation infrastructure, holds tremendous opportunities. It will not only attract new passengers to airBaltic, but also elevate the Baltics’ global visibility and connectivity.”
There’s no mention of frequent flyer reciprocity, so there’s no indication that you’ll be able to earn or redeem miles as part of this agreement. But we’re talking about SkyMiles, so who really cares?
This codeshare agreement is only possible thanks to the Latvian Civil Aviation Association recently obtaining a Category 1 rating from the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). In order for a foreign airline to codeshare with a US airline, it needs to be from a Category 1 country, so that hurdle has finally been overcome.
Could we see more cooperation between Delta & airBaltic?
Delta is a very deliberate airline when it comes to partnerships. The airline is heavily focused on its joint ventures (where the airline can coordinate schedules and fares), and on partnering with airlines in which it has an equity stake.
So Delta’s codeshare partnerships are limited to SkyTeam carriers, equity partners, and then a couple of random, specific airlines, including Hawaiian Airlines and Silver Airways.
Even though Air France and KLM have huge networks in Europe, they don’t fly to Riga, Tallinn, or Vilnius, so this codeshare agreement does open up some new destinations for Delta passengers. Is that the extent of what’s going on here, though? Could this eventually lead to Delta also launching flights to Riga, at least on a seasonal summer basis?
I’m not necessarily saying there will be more to this, but it’s rare for Delta to launch codeshare agreements that perhaps seem random, so I wouldn’t be surprised if this is only the first level of cooperation.
airBaltic is an impressive airline, when you consider the challenging seasonality it faces. I think there would be huge value to airBaltic cooperating more closely with a major airline group or alliance, so I’m surprised we haven’t yet seen much happen on that front…
Bottom line
Delta and airBaltic are launching a codeshare agreement, following Latvia getting a Category 1 rating with the FAA. This will allow passengers to book seamless travel between Delta and airBaltic. I wouldn’t be surprised if in 2025 or beyond we also see Delta launch a seasonal route to Riga, though who really knows…
What do you make of this Delta and airBaltic partnership?
Good replacement for Delta's Aeroflot partnership. And in a former Soviet Republic no less.
I think a seasonal Delta JFK-RIX flight should work. I think the Baltics deserve at least one summer seasonal, couple of days a week transatlantic flight. They're an underrated destination that few people outside know about even within Europe. I visited Finland, Estonia, and Latvia on a tour with my youth orchestra a few years ago. Estonia and Latvia have very...
Good replacement for Delta's Aeroflot partnership. And in a former Soviet Republic no less.
I think a seasonal Delta JFK-RIX flight should work. I think the Baltics deserve at least one summer seasonal, couple of days a week transatlantic flight. They're an underrated destination that few people outside know about even within Europe. I visited Finland, Estonia, and Latvia on a tour with my youth orchestra a few years ago. Estonia and Latvia have very interesting old towns, especially Tallinn. In Tallinn, they have a restaurant called Olde Hansa where they simulate dining in medieval times down to the silverware and the dining room lit solely by candles. We ate there and it's pretty cool. Check out the Riga Central Market if you can. I believe it's the largest public market in Europe.
How about WAWPoland?
Something not mentioned is the Russian card. BT was making a fair amount of cash flow from Russians passing thru to Central and Western Europe prior to the invasion and the A220 fit this duty like a glove. Now BT has found Wet Leasing as a profitable sideline and opened a seasonal base in the Canary Islands. The Delta connection is another means to bring in incremental revenue.
Should the Ukraine situation be resolved,...
Something not mentioned is the Russian card. BT was making a fair amount of cash flow from Russians passing thru to Central and Western Europe prior to the invasion and the A220 fit this duty like a glove. Now BT has found Wet Leasing as a profitable sideline and opened a seasonal base in the Canary Islands. The Delta connection is another means to bring in incremental revenue.
Should the Ukraine situation be resolved, BT will be sitting in the cat bird seat. Should it decide to obtain a few 100 series jets for London City service, many a want-to-be Oligarch will be filling those seats on the way to Moscow.
It does seem like oneworld needs to be more aggressive in Central and Eastern Europe.
They’re getting bracketed by the other two alliances.
Absolutely. With their hubs only on edges of the continent, they're completely uncompetitive except in the longhaul market. It's just not possible to reasonably fly OW if you're not travelling to/from UK, Ireland, Spain, Portugal, Finland or maybe Baltics. For all other routes, flying OW is a major detour.
An obvious solution to this would be luring LOT to switch alliance. That would be a massive game changer.
Despite all the turmoil that is going on in Israel, Delta has filed an application with the US DOT for extensive codesharing within the US to feed El Al flights, to/from Israel on combined flights, and beyond TLV.
Skyteam's position in Europe and adjacent areas will look very different in a couple of years.
Ever since Oneworld lost Malev and the BA and Swiss partnership fell through they've had a pretty big void there. Swiss being in Oneworld would have made more sense back then. As a result, we have Central and Eastern Europe being dominated by three Lufthansa Group airlines whose networks largely overlap (Lufthansa, Swiss, and Austrian) and especially lacking in Oneworld. I think LOT would be good for Oneworld and help balance out the three alliances...
Ever since Oneworld lost Malev and the BA and Swiss partnership fell through they've had a pretty big void there. Swiss being in Oneworld would have made more sense back then. As a result, we have Central and Eastern Europe being dominated by three Lufthansa Group airlines whose networks largely overlap (Lufthansa, Swiss, and Austrian) and especially lacking in Oneworld. I think LOT would be good for Oneworld and help balance out the three alliances the best. LOT hasn't been too happy with Lufthansa lately so I could see them wanting to distance themselves from them. But now that SAS is going to Skyteam, it messes things up because now Star Alliance will be left without a Northern European member. But I guess that might be fine as Northern Europe doesn't have that many people anyways.
Air Baltic has historically had ties with SAS. With SAS likely moving in the direction of Sky Team, it makes sense for Air Baltic to move that way as well.
I feel as though Air Baltic also frequently operates flights now for Swiss Air. I don't understand how the airline's relationship works with Swiss or other Star Alliance members.
Swiss flights are ACMI. The crew and planes are from airBaltic but the flight is operated on behalf of Swiss, with Swiss product and policies. From passenger's perspective, it's a Swiss flight, just with a different aircraft livery.
As for SAS, I'd disagree. That cooperation worked when BT was a small regional airline. As they grow to a larger network carrier, they are now too big competition for the cooperation to work.
As you mentioned, all three Baltic countries are definitely underrated; beautiful places with great people. If this partnership happens, I’d highly recommend a stopover in Riga if you’re connecting. Still pretty affordable too!
airBaltic is bare bones and low cost. I flew them once from Latvia and they literally weighed and measured every carryon. We departed 30 mins late because of this. No thanks.
airBaltic product is not that different from legacy carriers in Europe. In fact, I find it much better than for example Lufthansa.
Measuring and weighing carryons is absolutely normal and all carriers do it. I've seen it on Lufthansa, LOT, Aegean..
"all" carriers, ya think? lol
My experience too. LH use much more of an lcc than BT for intra-europe. And buy on board menu had great value on BT. Lots of Danes getting plastered on relatively cheap alcohol on my last BT flight. And on my 5 or so BT flights I never had my bags weighed.
Speaking of BOB, I'd add that BT has an absolutely excellent pre-order menu in economy with delicious, high quality hot meals. You won't get on any other airline in Europe, not even the pseudopremium carriers.
BT already has a deep cooperation with AFKL (which is the reason why AFKL doesn't fly to Baltics - they use BT to feed their hubs instead). As BT's ambitions grow, I can definitely see them join SkyTeam in perhaps not so distant future. That would be a huge deal for the aviation market where LH Group essentially has a monopoly in Central Europe.
This partnership might be called the A220 partnership since Delta is the largest A220 operator and also will have a large fleet based just on its current fleet and orders.
airBaltic is an easy partnership to see in some ways - outside of the big 3 alliances, no US partner, and with a route system that very much compliments AF/KL in Eastern Europe where Delta and Skyteam are relatively weak.
airBaltic has had...
This partnership might be called the A220 partnership since Delta is the largest A220 operator and also will have a large fleet based just on its current fleet and orders.
airBaltic is an easy partnership to see in some ways - outside of the big 3 alliances, no US partner, and with a route system that very much compliments AF/KL in Eastern Europe where Delta and Skyteam are relatively weak.
airBaltic has had a relationship with SAS in the past.
It isn't hard to see that Delta is surrounding the LH Group and developing strength in northern and eastern Europe so there is a lot of potential to connect and reshape Europe.
The real benefit will come from a nonstop connection to the US and it isn't hard to imagine that a single flight to the US might be on Delta's radar.
Since the El Al relationship is sidelined for now, it will be interesting to watch whatever Delta does with airBaltic and whatever else might come. LOT and TAP are both likely still in play
Just when I think you can't get anymore DeltaDelulu, you drop "This partnership might be called the A220 partnership since Delta is the largest A220 operator".... Is DL going to fly the A220 to RIX/TLL/VNO Timmy? No. It's a FACT that it's outside of the published range. You must be on the good stuff for coming up with idiot statements like that....
take a deep breath and lighten up, Francis.
it isn't often that two partners have as much in common fleet-wise as these two have w/ the A220 but the partnership clearly is not defined by the A220.
sorry it went over - or through - your head.
Have you considered maintenance?
In addition, what’s wrong with someone being knowledgeable or supporting one airline over another?
I guess there are many airline employees on this site, although comments like yours show your ignorance.
Example -Air France KLM engineering and maintenance provide support for Volotea who are essentially a competitor.
Being knowledge about one company over another doesn’t make you an idiot as you imply. In the contrary, your response...
Have you considered maintenance?
In addition, what’s wrong with someone being knowledgeable or supporting one airline over another?
I guess there are many airline employees on this site, although comments like yours show your ignorance.
Example -Air France KLM engineering and maintenance provide support for Volotea who are essentially a competitor.
Being knowledge about one company over another doesn’t make you an idiot as you imply. In the contrary, your response makes you look like one.
"Qantas and American Airlines partnership might be called the red alliance because they both have red in their logos." - Tim Dunn
Sorta saddening to open a thread and see Tim Dunn NOT being the most childish person chatting.
it is as certain as tomorrow's sunrise that there are people here that are absolutely fixated w/ people instead of the topic.
Seriously, do you not have anything better to do in life?
“Seriously, do you not have anything better to do in life?”
Said with no self-awareness or trace of irony. Sad.
says the person who perpetually is unable to contribute to the discussion at hand.
again, WTF do you do with your life that you have nothing better to do than criticize other people?
Again, I’m not a DL or TD fanboy…but he’s making sense.
The comments have really become a cesspool.
Grow up Tim. First, I do contribute substantively. I just don’t post about things about which I have no knowledge as “fact”. I do offer opionions at times. But at least I know the difference. Second, when you act childish - like you do when people call you out (sometimes correctly, sometimes incorrectly), I point that out. Whenever someone challenges you, you resort to something like “sorry it went over - or through - your...
Grow up Tim. First, I do contribute substantively. I just don’t post about things about which I have no knowledge as “fact”. I do offer opionions at times. But at least I know the difference. Second, when you act childish - like you do when people call you out (sometimes correctly, sometimes incorrectly), I point that out. Whenever someone challenges you, you resort to something like “sorry it went over - or through - your head.” Grow up.
WTF do I do with my life? I work and live a very fulfilling life. I don’t need validation from commenting on a blog. You seem to need to - going as far as to say that you help drive clicks and thus revenue for Ben (and VWTW). That is sad that you think so much of your comments.
Living in your head rent free. You ever pause for a moment to consider why people dog you so much? Of course you don't.
living in someone's head rent free? it isn't me that mockingly brings other people into the conversation that haven't even joined it.
I know exactly why people "dog" me and it is because I speak my mind and speak about the industry as few actually can.
I have been doing it for the better part of two decades and am not going anywhere.
My suggestion is that you and others figure out...
living in someone's head rent free? it isn't me that mockingly brings other people into the conversation that haven't even joined it.
I know exactly why people "dog" me and it is because I speak my mind and speak about the industry as few actually can.
I have been doing it for the better part of two decades and am not going anywhere.
My suggestion is that you and others figure out how to live in a world where others might speak more and say different things.
Personal attacks show how incredibly weak you and others that can't focus on the topic at hand actually are.
now tell us what contribution you actually make to this site, and specifically the discussion about airBaltic and Delta.
IMO the most relevant benefits are the SkyMiles collection possibility and potentially additional frequent flyer benefits.
Delta and BT are already interlining and itineraries to RIX and other BT hubs can already be booked on one ticket through Delta, typically with a transfer in AMS, CDG or FRA.
Especially since the closure of Russian airspace for many carriers, BT's network is mostly focused on western and central Europe. The number of additional destinations offered is...
IMO the most relevant benefits are the SkyMiles collection possibility and potentially additional frequent flyer benefits.
Delta and BT are already interlining and itineraries to RIX and other BT hubs can already be booked on one ticket through Delta, typically with a transfer in AMS, CDG or FRA.
Especially since the closure of Russian airspace for many carriers, BT's network is mostly focused on western and central Europe. The number of additional destinations offered is very limited.