JAL and Korean Air announce strategic partnership

 Japan Airlines (JAL) and Korean Air are expanding their current partnership with the signing of a strategic partnership agreement. Through the strategic partnership, both airlines aim to strongly drive the revitalization and future development of passenger and cargo traffic between Japan and South Korea.

“This strategic partnership will elevate the strong cooperative system that both companies have cultivated to the next level, creating new value and customer experiences in the global market, starting with Japan and South Korea.”

Building upon their existing partnership and leading up to Korean Air’s upcoming integration of Asiana Airlines on December 17, both airlines plan to expand their existing partnerships such as in codeshare flights and frequent flier benefits.

“Partnerships including codeshare and frequent flyer cooperation will be evaluated and progressively aligned with the expanded network of the integrated airline. Leveraging the vast network of integrated airline, the companies will offer even more diverse and convenient choices to their customers.”

Both airlines also committed to going beyond the aviation industry to address social issues through initiatives contributing to the improvement of sustainability in the aviation sector. 

The partnership between JAL and Korean Air goes back 60 years when JAL provided technical and operational expertise during the launch of Korean Air. Joint Korea-Japan flights were launched through an Agreement on the Basic Concept of Cooperation between Japan Airlines and Korean Air in April 1963. The partnership has grown since diplomatic relations between the two countries were normalized in 1965.