[UPDATE: As of November 17, 2017, the US Department of Transport has granted approval to Delta Air Lines’ and Korean Air’s joint venture.]

Delta Air Lines and Korean Air have agreed to a joint venture to expand their transpacific network.

As part of the agreement, Delta will be launching a twice daily nonstop service between Atlanta and Seoul from June 3, while Korean Air will introduce a third round trip service this summer between Los Angeles and Seoul, as well as a second flight to San Francisco.

Both airlines will share costs and revenue on flights across a combined network of 290 destinations, giving passengers the chance to earn and redeem miles on both Delta’s Sky Miles and Korean Air’s Skypass loyalty programmes.

Commenting on the venture, Delta CEO Ed Bastian said:

“The agreement deepens our longstanding partnership with Korean Air and will provide the global access and seamless service our customers demand.” “We look forward to providing customers of both carriers with industry-leading service between the US and Asia.”

“This joint venture will benefit our customers by providing more convenient connection schedules and widen their opportunities in earning mileages,” said Korean Air’s Chairman and CEO, Yang Ho Cho. “With this agreement, we will reinforce Incheon airport’s position as a major international hub in North East Asia and support the growth of Korea’s aviation industry.”

delta.com, koreanair.com