Delta Air Lines and Saudia Airlines have both long been part of the SkyTeam alliance, but haven’t had much cooperation beyond that. That’s about to change, and I can’t help but cover this, and talk about the bigger picture implications.
In this post:
Delta & Saudia strengthen partnership
Delta and Saudia have signed a codeshare agreement, which builds on the existing interline relationship that the two airlines have.
This codeshare agreement will enable greater connectivity between the United States and the Middle East, as Delta customers will gain access to nine destinations in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East beyond Saudia’s hubs in Jeddah (JED) and Riyadh (RUH), while Saudia customers will gain access to 12 destinations in the United States beyond Delta’s hubs in New York (JFK) and Los Angeles (LAX).
For those not familiar, a codeshare agreement allows an airline to place its “code” on the flight of another airline, essentially marketing that flight. So this means that on Delta’s website you’ll start to see Saudia flights with Delta flight numbers, and vice versa. It’s a closer level of cooperation than an interline agreement or mutual alliance membership, but it’s not as close as a joint venture.
There are no plans to adjust the frequent flyer cooperation that already exists between the two airlines. You’ll continue to be able to earn and redeem points for travel on the other airline, and can also take advantage of SkyTeam elite perks.
Here’s how Perry Cantarutti, Delta’s SVP of Alliances, describes this:
“Saudia’s growing Jeddah hub and extensive network bring Delta customers closer to greater access to destinations across one of the world’s most important economic regions. Strengthening our partnership responds to customer demand for more travel choice between the Gulf and North America.”
Meanwhile here’s how Arved Von Zur Muehlen, Saudia’s Chief Commercial Officer, describes this:
“Signing this codeshare agreement with Delta Air Lines reflects Saudia’s commitment to expanding its flight network, providing seamless travel experiences and enhancing its global connectivity. This provides Saudia’s guests with more travel options, promoting the local tourism sector and allowing international visitors to discover the diversity of the Kingdom’s attractions.”
“This partnership between two legacy airlines fosters greater collaboration between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United States, opening up new possibilities for commercial and tourism relations. We look forward to furthering our cooperation and exploring additional opportunities with Delta.”
Delta is going all-in on Saudi Arabia
What’s interesting is that in July 2024, Delta and Riyadh Air announced plans to launch a close partnership. Riyadh Air is Saudi Arabia’s ambitious airline startup, launching flights in 2025. This is intended to be a pretty close collaboration, as Delta intends to fly to Riyadh, and the airlines may even pursue a joint venture in the future.
Now we’re also seeing Delta strengthening ties with Saudia. The airlines could’ve had a closer relationship for years, but are only choosing to do so now. That should tell you a lot about how Delta hasn’t seen much merit to such a partnership up until this point.
Presumably this is happening now as part of a bigger push for Saudi Arabia on Delta’s part. Saudia and Riyadh Air aren’t really competitors — both are owned by the government of Saudi Arabia, and the intent is that in the long run, Saudia will be the primary airline of Jeddah, while Riyadh Air will be the airline of Riyadh.
Delta has done a great job building close partnerships around the globe, by investing in airlines, and forming joint ventures. However, the Middle East is a region where Delta really lags the competition.
American and Qatar Airways have a strategic alliance, American flies to Doha, and both airlines also belong to the oneworld alliance. American also has a partnership with Etihad, but it’s definitely the carrier’s second tier partner. Meanwhile United and Emirates have a strategic alliance, and United flies to Dubai. Meanwhile up until this point, Delta just had an interline agreement with Saudia, and basically nothing else.
Look, could the Delta and Riyadh Air partnership be awesome a decade down the road? Yes, it’s absolutely a possibility. But if you’re a Delta customer and want to fly to the Middle East and beyond now, Delta really won’t be of much help.
Now Delta is partnering with Saudia, which, ummm, isn’t exactly the preferred “premium” airline among US consumers. I mean, I’ve seen the bar at Delta Sky Clubs, and I can assure that most Medallion members won’t be very happy with the drink list on Saudia. 😉
I’m not necessarily surprised to see this partnership, though I think we can all agree that Delta is simply picking up the scraps of what’s left here, rather than having first dibs, and that’s rather out of character for the airline. I still feel like a Delta and Etihad partnership is a missed opportunity, in terms of relationships between the “big three” US carriers and “big three” Gulf carriers. 
Bottom line
Delta and Saudia are developing a closer relationship. While the two airlines are both part of SkyTeam, they’ll soon launch a codeshare agreement, whereby they’ll market the flights of the other airlines. This comes just months after Delta and Riyadh Air announced plans to launch a partnership, though that’s more theoretical than anything else at this point.
So while American has a strong partner in Qatar, and United has a strong partner in the UAE, Delta is doubling down on Saudi Arabia. It’ll be interesting to see how this all evolves…
What do you make of this Delta & Saudia codeshare agreement?
What hasn't been mentioned in all of these discussions is that Saudi Arabia's GDP is the largest of any Middle East country and about equal to Turkey which has twice as many people.
Saudi Arabia's GDP is twice the size of the UAE's and 4X the size of Qatar's.
Obviously, Saudi Arabia currently is severely underserved by air service compared to its neighbors and has decided that it too should be able to support much...
What hasn't been mentioned in all of these discussions is that Saudi Arabia's GDP is the largest of any Middle East country and about equal to Turkey which has twice as many people.
Saudi Arabia's GDP is twice the size of the UAE's and 4X the size of Qatar's.
Obviously, Saudi Arabia currently is severely underserved by air service compared to its neighbors and has decided that it too should be able to support much more air service than it does.
I realize that most of the users of internet social media including people like Ben are far from savvy with data and facts but there is no rational reason why Saudi Arabia can't do what other Middle East countries have done in just the last 25 years. To act as if there is some magic line in the sand between the haves and have nots of Middle East aviation that can't be crossed is purely non-sensical.
Saudi Arabia is making fundamental changes to its legal and societal structures far beyond aviation; there is no reason to think that they can't or won't do the same thing with alcohol and other issues necessary to support global air service. Let's not forget that the World Cup in Qatar had some of the most restrictive rules on alcohol consumption of any modern world cup. They opened the door only as far as was necessary.
Etihad has always been the red-headed step-child of UAE aviation behind Emirates. As much as they would like to take a larger role, there are far greater economic reasons why Etihad has less growth potential than Saudi aviation.
And let's also not forget that strategically, Saudi Arabis is far closer strategically to the US than any other Middle East country whether some will argue that point or not.
Purely from an aviation standpoint, Delta has a far greater opportunity to be a part of building aviation in Saudi Arabia that AA or UA do in any other Middle East country. QR, EK or EY have little to no need of a major global airline supporting their growth efforts as Saudi Arabia does.
Internet social media rarely gets anything right from a a long-term perspective. I suspect that Saudi aviation will grow much quicker than a lot of people expect and DL will have a far greater role in Middle East aviation than AA or UA within even 5 years.
The fun part of the industry and the internet is that it is possible to go back and see who was right... I think this will be a case of Ben and a whole lot of people here totally missing the plane on what is going to happen between DL and Saudi aviation.
So much fluff.
The reason GDP isn't mentioned is because it doesn't tell that a country is underserved or not, especially when one company contributes 40% of GDP.
But just for fun with Tim Dunn.
Iran GDP is larger than Hong Kong.
Iraq GDP is larger than Qatar.
Someone please tell me these two country is underserved. And Iraqi Airways should be larger than Cathay Pacific, according to GDP.
Then more fluff.
...
So much fluff.
The reason GDP isn't mentioned is because it doesn't tell that a country is underserved or not, especially when one company contributes 40% of GDP.
But just for fun with Tim Dunn.
Iran GDP is larger than Hong Kong.
Iraq GDP is larger than Qatar.
Someone please tell me these two country is underserved. And Iraqi Airways should be larger than Cathay Pacific, according to GDP.
Then more fluff.
"Etihad has always been the red-headed step-child of UAE aviation behind Emirates."
The step child has a much larger economy than Dubai. But the self anointed "users of internet social media savvy with data and facts" should already know that, right?
But I do agree, Saudi Arabia has much potential to be seen. And I've said this way before DL came into the equation. But not because of the fluff you're trying to make here.
However, just because DL fell into an oil field, doesn't make them better strategist.
Now go worship Ed five times a day and eat your cookie dough.
in other words, you are deathly afraid that the status quo could change.
GDP DOES equate to the level of demand for a product or service in a country.
the UAE and Qatar did what Saudi Arabia is doing.
Iraq and Iran aren't interested in being a part of the global world order; Saudi Arabia is.
There are plenty of reasons why being the first mover hasn't paid off.... and AA and UA's early...
in other words, you are deathly afraid that the status quo could change.
GDP DOES equate to the level of demand for a product or service in a country.
the UAE and Qatar did what Saudi Arabia is doing.
Iraq and Iran aren't interested in being a part of the global world order; Saudi Arabia is.
There are plenty of reasons why being the first mover hasn't paid off.... and AA and UA's early adoption of the 787 is yet another.
The A350 was not the game changer it is now. DL waited to be the last of the big 3 to negotiate a major new generation widebody deal, Airbus has dramatically improved the performance of the A350 so that it exceeds the 787, and the 787-9 is the largest operating new generation widebody Boeing offers while DL will be getting the A350-1000 - far more capable, larger and efficient - in less than a year.
And the 35K could very well be part of DL's strategy to build a relationship with Riyadh.
The entire thesis that AA and UA got the best and DL got the rest is flawed by people that think the status quo is the best the world can offer.
And, once again, all of the Arab Middle East was in a worse position just 25 years ago than Saudi Arabia is in now.
The region is rapidly changing.
DL will be part of building aviation in Saudi Arabia as AA and UA will never do with their partners in the Middle East.
"Internet social media rarely gets anything right from a a long-term perspective"
True, but then again, you just demonstrated that very concept.
GDP does not correlate to international flight service demand, on both a national or even city-wide scale; especially when it's overwhelmingly driven by a single industry (and ARAMCO execs ain't flying commercial).
You do make one decent point, and that's that Delta has the opportunity to advise/steer the development of a potential major...
"Internet social media rarely gets anything right from a a long-term perspective"
True, but then again, you just demonstrated that very concept.
GDP does not correlate to international flight service demand, on both a national or even city-wide scale; especially when it's overwhelmingly driven by a single industry (and ARAMCO execs ain't flying commercial).
You do make one decent point, and that's that Delta has the opportunity to advise/steer the development of a potential major connector, in order to suit its needs. That's something we haven't seen before. So no "legacy" problems.
feel free to list the GDP of countries compared to ASMs from that country and there most certainly is a correlation.
The Netherlands is an outlier on the high end because AMS is such a large hub compared to the size of the country's economy.
The UAE and Qatar are well above average in terms of air service precisely because they have major airline hubs in their countries.
Turkey is actually closer to on...
feel free to list the GDP of countries compared to ASMs from that country and there most certainly is a correlation.
The Netherlands is an outlier on the high end because AMS is such a large hub compared to the size of the country's economy.
The UAE and Qatar are well above average in terms of air service precisely because they have major airline hubs in their countries.
Turkey is actually closer to on par while Saudi Arabia has a below average amount of international air transportation for a country of its size, esp. relative to other Middle East countries that have taken advantage of the ME's geography to carry far more traffic than they should THROUGH their countries.
Saudi Arabia is committed to FIRST developing the local market and THEN the connecting capacity.
They know full well that they cannot do it all on their own so want to partner with global airlines - and chose Delta right off the bat - and then Delta's friends are likely to follow.
Delta and friends will likely have a bigger share of the Middle East travel market in not just 10 but as soon as 3 and 5 years than AA and UA will have with their partners.
Delta has proven that it can do what is best for its partners and what is best for Delta, a reality Saudi Arabia knows.
Tim go eat your cookie dough.
Your 'Another Obtuse C*nt' (AOC) logic works miracles again.
Correlation is not causation.
You sell more ice cream in the summer.
You get more sunburn in the summer.
Would Tim's AOC logic would say ice cream causes sunburn?
Nah AOC wouldn't fall for that obvious fallacy that easy.
Tim would argue, you need sunburn people to sell ice cream.
Then you fluff about outliers....
Tim go eat your cookie dough.
Your 'Another Obtuse C*nt' (AOC) logic works miracles again.
Correlation is not causation.
You sell more ice cream in the summer.
You get more sunburn in the summer.
Would Tim's AOC logic would say ice cream causes sunburn?
Nah AOC wouldn't fall for that obvious fallacy that easy.
Tim would argue, you need sunburn people to sell ice cream.
Then you fluff about outliers. If there are so many outliers (you named a few, I named a few) maybe it's not an outlier just a very weak correlation.
Now stop causing global warming because the number of letters you type seem to have correlation to global temperature. Earth was much cooler (literally and figuratively) before you're fluffing all over the internet.
That's using your logic isn't it.
Fluff on facts just isn't enough you also want to fluff on math?
Maybe you should run for office?
And oh bold bold fluffy Tim.
Come back here in 3 years, October 3, 2027. Let's compare market share of Middle East. DL and partners what's their rank. I can't really see infrastructure wise RUH or JED could support DXB or DOH size operation, in 5 years so 3 years is a no brainer.
Too much cookie dough?
@Tim Dunn, I don't, well actually I can't disagree with you too much here on Delta Airlines and the Middle East.
AA has stubbornly refused to create a JV with QR, let alone let them buy a stake in the company. Close partnerships are huge, as demonstrated by how LATAM abandoned AA because they wanted close cooperation with DL, despite the risks of increased competition.
Still, they'll be what number 7 player in...
@Tim Dunn, I don't, well actually I can't disagree with you too much here on Delta Airlines and the Middle East.
AA has stubbornly refused to create a JV with QR, let alone let them buy a stake in the company. Close partnerships are huge, as demonstrated by how LATAM abandoned AA because they wanted close cooperation with DL, despite the risks of increased competition.
Still, they'll be what number 7 player in the region? Maybe they can be number 3 if they're lucky by 2035. Their network will never reach the same levels as QR or EK, and as result is the worst Middle Eastern partner for Delta.
I do must disagree with you on KSAs growth, I reckon it will take far longer as these sorts of things don't occur overnight. And it will take a long time for the local aviation market to catch up to Qatar let alone UAE levels.
Bahahahahahah, I bet Timmy is dying with that "picking up the scraps" commentary!!!
Next Tim will be signing the praises of their JV with Air Koryo....
All the potential Kim can bring to the table.
And it's a nuclear power, that means compare to other nuclear nation their aviation sector is underserved.
I'm sure it's premium strategy to partner up with an airline in the ME, but Saudia is miles and miles behind anything the ME3 have to offer...
Let's hope their premium products stays miles and miles behind anything.
As in 70k miles in business class. Which is miles and miles behind 500k miles for DeltaOne.
All in on El Al, then all in on Saudi Arabia. I guess reading the Washington Post will be banned on Delta.
Delta - partners in Genocide.
Delta always was partners.
They fly the same flag that nuked Hiroshima.
When Putin send armed forces over the border, he calls it a military operations people treat it as an invasion.
When the relatives of large political donors and weapons buyers does it, they call it ground operation, should world leaders not respond as an invasion?
Oh the hypocrisy and propaganda.
I refuse to fly any ME airline. I'm just not willing to relinquish my morals for an airline ticket. Why should I give money to people who would slit my throat given the opportunity?
Most of those ME airlines are owned by governments that would be happy to slit the throats of those that would want to slit your throat!
Oh the hypocrisy of using the morals excuse.
Chances are you have already given a lot of your money to people who would slit your throat.
They just call it differently, like 'freedom' or 'protection' or 'gasoline' or 'iPhones'.
This might be good for people in the US and Saudi Arabia to travel between the 2 countries, but not so much for people to benefit from transferring via Saudia. Saudia's route network just lags behind that of Qatar, Emirates, and Etihad.
American and Qatar have a relatively close relationship, which is good, but it's not a JV iirc.
United and Emirates have a rather arms-length relationship. You don't even earn miles unless you're connecting off of the UA EWR-DXB flight. I'm not sure why it's so strict; AC has a much more typical arrangement with EK. Also felt weird to me why United didn't pursue a closer relationship with TK, which has so much connectivity in...
American and Qatar have a relatively close relationship, which is good, but it's not a JV iirc.
United and Emirates have a rather arms-length relationship. You don't even earn miles unless you're connecting off of the UA EWR-DXB flight. I'm not sure why it's so strict; AC has a much more typical arrangement with EK. Also felt weird to me why United didn't pursue a closer relationship with TK, which has so much connectivity in IST.
I am really curious why Delta and Etihad didn't end up partnering...
Turkish can't expand in India like at all and has to rely on Indigo to fly some of their flights. Now with codesharing on EK India flights blocked anyways one has to wonder whether IST would have made more sense after all, especially since UA could fly SFO-IST while to DXB isn't possible with Russian airspace restrictions.
Let’s not forget that Turkish and therefore Istanbul are the most internationally connected airport in the world. Turkish probably isn’t able to through money at relationships like the saudis/MBS and emrities can
Saudi Arabia is the most premium country in the Middle East!
Will be interesting to see what subsidies DL is receiving from the Saudi Air Connectivity Programme”.
I am sure they are there. Ultimately Saudi Arabia realized that Delta was the only choice left and Delta decided that picking up some subsidies made sense. Getting in as Saudi Arabia build its airline industry and copies other Middle East countries provides more opportunity for Delta than AA or UA have with their established Middle East partners
Right, Tim... because traditionally the "last mover" advantage is a thing...
We all know you see the world through passport Plum glasses but c'mon now. At least try to have some perspective. Delta has no "opportunity" for an airline in Riyadh that bills itself as for Riyadh O&D. And Delta would have to be crazy to assume any of their passengers are looking to transit through Saudi Arabia over airports like Doha or Dubai.
You clearly are incapable of seeing that Saudi Arabia changing. Hard as it is for you to accept, Delta could end up w a far bigger piece of the Middle East than AA or UA just because EK and QR have much less need of a US partner that the Saudi airlines have need of DL. Save the arguments and wait a few years. Some of those 35Ks might be showing up for RUH connections
I’m clearly capable of seeing reality and the silliness of your “last mover advantage” nonsense.
Tell us what is changing about Saudi Arabia? The alcohol restrictions at the airport and onboard? Their treatment of women and lgbt? These are things that, despite what delta will be paid by the Saudi government, their employees will care about
“ just because EK and QR have much less need of a US partner”
And no… at least in...
I’m clearly capable of seeing reality and the silliness of your “last mover advantage” nonsense.
Tell us what is changing about Saudi Arabia? The alcohol restrictions at the airport and onboard? Their treatment of women and lgbt? These are things that, despite what delta will be paid by the Saudi government, their employees will care about
“ just because EK and QR have much less need of a US partner”
And no… at least in the case of QR, this statement only shows how completely out of the loop you are which is no surprise to anyone
I think you are afraid of Delta’s potential in the Middle East
Last mover luck, as in Saudi Arabia growth potential, doesn't make it a last mover advantage.
And if I'm going 'wait a few years' to bet on 35K connection, I'd never bet on RUH over JED. Maybe after 2050, but that's Tim's fluff definition of few years not what few years mean for normal people.
But clearly Tim has never been to Saudi Arabia yet still fluff like he's besties with MBS.
Your lack of response to anything I challenged you on is noted, tim
what about the jews? can we go ?
You can visit Medinah.
There’s never been any restriction on Jewish people visiting KSA or any other Muslim country, it’s Israeli passports that are an issue. They don’t ask your religion. If you are a Muslim with an Israeli passport you still face issues.
What about all the LGBT employees of Felt, to say nothing of Christians who can’t bring a Bible with them or female flight attendants who may be forced to dress differently? Not that I care but it’s rank hypocrisy from woke Delta.
$$$ >>> human rights in this world.
This is why we do business with China, Israel, and other corrupt countries, while the US also partakes in exploitation, military industrial complex, etc.
Do you not own electronics, metal and chemicals from those countries? If so, you're just as guilty as a participant.
Why would you bring a Bible ??? If you wish to do so, go elsewhere.
I suspect Saudi asked Delta to enhance its relationship w SV as part of the Riyadh relationship. I suspect Delta could easily overtake AA and UA to the Arab Middle East. There is more of a chance of Riyadh and DL forming a JV than of QR or EK agreeing to a JV w AA or UA
I suspect Tim to enhance his fluff fluff.
I suspect Tim could easily over fluff.
There is more of a chance of Tim fluff than fake Tim giving facts.