By Mia Taylor, TravelPulse
Delta is partnering with Air France-KLM to launch a new, aligned benefits program for corporate customers that is being described as an industry-first.
The new program, Global Corporate Priority, is designed to enhance the travel experience for corporate customers including providing better seats and priority boarding.
[post_ads]Set to kick off before year's end, Delta, and Air France-KLM’s corporate travelers will all enjoy the same benefits, no matter which of the three airlines they flying or which airline the ticket was booked with.
The program’s perks include:
—Better Seat Choice: Corporate travelers will be able to select better main cabin seats, without paying an additional fee.
—Priority Boarding: Corporate travelers will receive priority boarding on Air France-KLM. Access to this benefit is also being expanded on Delta to include all corporate travelers.
—Priority Service Recovery: In the event of irregular operations, Delta and Air France-KLM corporate travelers will receive priority assistance. Additionally, corporate travelers will receive Denied Boarding Prioritization and Downgrade Prioritization in the unlikely event that we are unable to accommodate all passengers as originally planned.
The new benefits were launched in response to feedback Delta and Air France-KLM gathered from hundreds of joint corporate customers.
While the new program is currently focused on customers of Delta and Air France-KLM, Delta said it is evaluating opportunities to expand the program in the future.
“At Delta, we believe that while the U.S. is our home, our future is global—and we are investing significantly in building the most comprehensive, connected network and best international experience for our customers,” said Steve Sear, president, international and executive vice president, global sales.
“We partner with highly respected airlines around the world, like Air France-KLM, that share our values and our focus on listening to customers,” Sear added. “It’s through customer feedback that we’re working to build an increasingly seamless experience for our corporate customers, as we connect them to more destinations than ever before.”
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More than 5,000 corporate customers a day connect between Delta and its joint venture partners, including more than 3,700 between the airline and Air France-KLM.
The new Global Corporate Priority program builds on Delta’s existing corporate traveler prioritization program, which dates back to 2014.
In May, as TravelPulse's Donald Wood reported, Delta announced that it was signing a new agreement with Air France-KLM and Virgin Atlantic Limited to expand their trans-Atlantic joint venture. The partnership, signed by representatives of all three airlines, created a comprehensive route network, convenient flight schedules, competitive fares and reciprocal frequent flyer benefits, including the ability to earn and redeem miles across all