Delta, Kenya Airways boost US-Africa connectivity, expand codeshare deal

• Offer customers greater choice

Delta Air Lines and Kenya Airways PLC have expanded their codeshare agreement, increasing the choice of destinations offered by Delta in Africa and extending Kenya Airways’ reach in North America via the U.S. gateway of New York-JFK.

The new agreement enhances the airlines’ already extensive codeshare network to offer seamless travel to a total of 39 cities across Africa, the United States and Canada.

The enhanced agreement enables Delta customers flying nonstop on the airline’s services from New York-JFK to Accra, Ghana, to connect with Delta-marketed codeshare flights to Monrovia, Liberia, and Freetown, Sierra Leone, operated by Kenya Airways. Delta-marketed codeshare flights will also be available on Kenya Airways’ services from Nairobi to Cape Town, South Africa; Harare, Zimbabwe; and Kigali, Rwanda.

From New York-JFK, Kenya Airways has placed its code on Delta’s services to Washington’s Ronald Reagan National Airport, offering customers increased access to the U.S. capital, as well as to Indianapolis, Indiana.

“Delta is the leading U.S. airline in Africa. Strengthening our partnership with Kenya Airways responds to customer demand for more travel choice between the continent and North America,” said Alain Bellemare, Delta’s E.V.P and President International. “These codeshare services will offer customers greater access to destinations in South, West and East Africa, rounding out Delta’s existing network of nonstop services to Accra, Dakar, Johannesburg and Lagos.”

“Kenya Airways and Delta Air Lines’ partnership remains central to our plans of offering the fastest connections to the Americas from our Nairobi hub and is in-line with our brand promise of enabling the sustainable development of Africa by providing access to different markets,” said Julius Thairu, Kenya Airways Chief Customer and Commercial Officer.” In addition to Washington’s Ronald Regan National Airport and Indianapolis, Indiana, other destinations we have within the codeshare are New York: Chicago O’Hare – Illinois, Denver – Colorado, Orlando – Florida, Miami – Florida, Raleigh Durham – North Carolina, Phoenix – Arizona, Charlotte – North Carolina.”

Delta and Kenya Airways are both members of the SkyTeam alliance. Frequent Flyers can earn and redeem miles on both airlines, while Elite Plus travelers benefit from SkyPriority services.

Delta is one of the world’s largest and most successful airlines. Headquartered in Atlanta, prior to COVID-19 it welcomed up to 200 million customers each year, flying them across an industry-leading global network of up to 300 destinations in more than 50 countries.

Delta is also the leading carrier across the trans-Atlantic, with a pre-pandemic network of 33 cities in 19 countries. It’s European footprint spans from the U.K. to Greece, with many more destinations accessible via Delta’s hubs in Amsterdam, London and Paris.

On the other hand, Kenya Airways, a member of the SkyTeam Alliance, is a leading African airline flying to 41 destinations worldwide, 34 of which are in Africa and carries over four million passengers annually. In 2020 Kenya Airways was named Africa’s Leading Airline by the World Travel Awards. It continues to modernize its fleet with its 32 aircraft being some of the youngest in Africa. This includes its flagship B787 Dreamliner aircraft. Kenya Airways offers Cargo services to key locations including London, Amsterdam, Guangzhou, Sharjah, Mumbai and over 25 intra-Africa routes in addition to its passenger network.

Wole Shadare