Vistara and United Airlines Sign Codeshare Agreement

Vistara and United Airlines Sign Codeshare Agreement

18th June 2019

• Codeshare agreement with Vistara opens up more than 20 destinations across India for United Airlines
• Reciprocal frequent flyer benefits for Club Vistara and United MileagePlus members

New Delhi, 18 June 2019: Vistara, India’s finest full-service carrier, today joined hands with one of the world’s largest carriers, United Airlines, for an expanded association. The agreement enables United to codeshare on Vistara-operated Indian domestic flights and allows for customers of both carriers to earn and redeem frequent flier miles.

By the agreement, United Airlines will add its ‘UA’ designator code to more than 20 Vistara-operated flights each day opening up more than 20 destinations to United customers, including but not limited to Hyderabad, Kolkata and Ahmedabad. Ticket sales by the agreement will begin later this year, pending government approvals.

Commenting on this occasion, Mr. Sanjiv Kapoor, Vistara’s Chief Strategy & Commercial Officer, said: “We’re very happy to take our association with United Airlines to the next level with this codeshare agreement. This alliance will help us offer a vast global network to our customers and give us the chance of welcoming travelers from across the world to experience Vistara’s award-winning hospitality and service in India. Both United and Vistara are focused on providing seamless and hassle-free experience to customers, and we are confident that our respective customers will truly enjoy the benefits of this collaboration.”

United Airlines has served India from our New York/Newark hub for more than 14 years and in December of this year will begin operating new nonstop service between San Francisco and New Delhi,” said John Gebo, United’s senior vice president of Alliances. “We are pleased to enter into this new alliance agreement with Vistara to offer our customers traveling between the United States and India seamless access to more destinations throughout India”, he added.

The codeshare flights will offer convenient connections to and from the daily flights that United operates to Delhi and Mumbai directly from New York/Newark. Vistara flights operate from the same terminals as United at Delhi (T3) and Mumbai (T2), making connections at these airports more convenient and seamless. Beginning Dec. 5, 2019, United will start its seasonal service between San Francisco and New Delhi, enabling its customers from more than 80 U.S. cities to fly direct to India with just one stop in San Francisco. United Airlines customers travelling on Vistara will enjoy complimentary meals and will be able to choose between three different cabins, including India’s only Premium Economy class. The expanded partnership also offers shared frequent flyer benefits. United MileagePlus members will be able to earn and redeem frequent flyer miles on all Vistara routes and similarly, Vistara’s Club Vistara members will be able to earn and redeem CV Points on all Vistara and United routes.

As can be seen from the United Airlines Website - subject to receipt government operating authority , the flight timings are good enough , departing Delhi at morning 03:50 AM and arrival at 06:00 AM at San Francisco - Total journey of 15H 40 M

The Return Flight starts at 7:15 PM departure from SFO arriving a day later at 12:45 AM journey of 16 hours 

With JET AIRWAYS gone out , it seems good opportunity for Air Vistara to make the most of it as full fledged Airline with Loyalty Program. 

I am not a big fan of Air India Frequent Flyer Program and not a fan of Air India Network and Airline also. 

what do you think of this tie- up will result into??