Delta Air Lines has decided to cut ties with Aeroflot.
Effective immediately, Delta has withdrawn its codeshare services with Aeroflot.
This applies to Aeroflot-operated services beyond Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport, as well as Delta-operated services from Los Angeles and New York. Delta states that they will make accommodations for customers who are affected by the changes.
Delta and Aeroflot are both part of the SkyTeam alliance and have had a partnership for a long time. I wouldn't say it's a strong partnership, but a codeshare agreement allows the airlines to easily book passengers on itineraries that include travel on both airlines.
Delta is the only major US airline that has a codeshare agreement with Aeroflot, so the Atlanta-based airline is trying to distance itself from the Russian national carrier. That is a good thing.
Does this mean anything other than expressing disapproval of what is going on? Not really. Delta might be losing money, but nothing material. It is better than nothing.
If SkyTeam suspended Aeroflot's membership, I think it would make more of a point. I'm not sure the alliance is willing to take such a stand. I would love to be proven wrong.
Delta suspended its codeshare agreement with Aeroflot in order to express disapproval of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. This is still the right idea. I'm curious to see if other airlines around the globe suspend their commercial agreements with the Russian national carrier because this is the closest partnership that any US airline has with Aeroflot.
What do you think about Delta suspending its codeshare agreement? Do you think Sky Team will suspend Aeroflot?
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