American Airlines & IndiGo Launch India Partnership

American Airlines and IndiGo formed a partnership in September of 2011. I wanted to recap all the details of the partnership after the introduction of reciprocal mileage earning and loyalty program benefits.

American Airlines launched a new route between New York and Delhi in October of 2021. The plans for a Seattle to Bengaluru flight have been put on hold.

American Airlines and IndiGo have joined forces to give American Airlines passengers access to more destinations in India.

The agreement was supposed to give access to 29 additional routes from Delhi and Bengaluru, but the delay of Bengaluru service has made this more limited.

This partnership is described by American's Chief Revenue Officer.

“We’re eager to add IndiGo as our trusted partner in India. Whether our customers are traveling for business or pleasure, this new partnership makes it easy to reach all four corners of India. Today we’re adding 29 new routes to our map as a result of this agreement, providing customers with even more options around the globe.”

American & IndiGo mileage earning & travel benefits

The codeshare agreement was launched last fall.

• American AAdvantage members can now earn miles and Loyalty Points for American Airlines marketed flights operated by IndiGo; unfortunately flights booked directly with IndiGo aren’t eligible for mileage or Loyalty Points accrual
• If you book an IndiGo flight through American Airlines, you’ll receive a complimentary seat assignment, plus a complimentary vegetarian meal with non-alcoholic drink
• If you book an American marketed IndiGo flight and travel in first or business class on American Airlines on a connecting flight to & from India, you’ll get access to IndiGo’s “Fast Forward” check-in counter, priority baggage delivery, and complimentary IndiGo lounge access where available

It is good to see these benefits implemented. Codeshare flights that are part of larger itineraries with American Airlines are only included in this partnership. When booking itineraries on IndiGo, there is no benefit for AAdvantage members.

At some point in the future we are supposed to see AAdvantage mileage redemptions on IndiGo.

What is IndiGo?

IndiGo is an Indian low cost carrier that is the largest airline in India in terms of passengers and fleet size. Over the past 15 years the airline has grown.

There are nearly 600 additional aircraft on order for IndiGo and the plans for the airline are huge.

My take on American Airlines’ partner in India

The partnership between American and IndiGo is unsurprising.

• Air India is in the Star Alliance, and has a partnership with United
• Vistara is probably India’s most premium airline, and that airline isn’t in the Star Alliance, but also has a partnership with airlines like Air Canada and United
• Jet Airways went out of business, so that’s not an option anymore
• So yeah, that probably leaves IndiGo as the best of the current options

IndiGo is a large airline that offers a lot of internet access. This isn't ideal for those flying business class on American beyond major gateways. Premium passengers will have to sit in the economy section of the flight.

I feel like American is just taking whatever it can get at the moment. American wasn't focused on partnerships for a long time. Pickings are slim since American is late. Delta's investment in the carrier caused American to lose its partnership with LATAM.

American has started partnerships with GOL of Brazil and JetSMART of Argentina. All of these partnerships are not premium. Though these airlines don't have business class, American hopes to use them to provide connections beyond major international gateways.

I struggle to get excited despite the fact that there aren't really alternatives.

There is a codeshare agreement between American Airlines and IndiGo. It's great that IndiGo can connect beyond major Indian gateways. It is not the most expensive airline. Neither is American.

What do you think about the new partnership?