Kingfisher and Continental announce partnership programme

New Delhi: Kingfisher Airlines, one of the fastest growing airlines in India, and Continental Airlines, the world's fifth largest, have announced that they have entered into a comprehensive partnership involving their frequent flyer progarmmes, airport lounge access reciprocity, future codesharing and transfer between the two carriers for their customers who travel between India and the US.

Continental has operated daily, non-stop flights between Delhi and its New York hub, Newark Liberty International Airport, since 2005. The airline will launch daily, non-stop flights between Mumbai and New York Liberty on October 2, 2007 (westbound).

Beginning October 1, 2007, members of the two airlines' frequent flyer programmes, Continental's OnePass and Kingfisher's King Club, will be able to earn and redeem miles on all flights operated by the other carrier. Reciprocal airport lounge access for eligible customers, including Continental BusinessFirst and Presidents Club members, will also begin at this time.

By the end of the year, the carriers plan to begin codesharing. Continental will place its code (CO*) on Kingfisher flights connecting to Continental's daily flights between Delhi and New York and new service between Mumbai and New York.

Customers traveling on connecting flights between Continental and Kingfisher will be able to have single check-in for all flights, including the issuance of electronic tickets, boarding passes and checked baggage to their final destination.

Kingfisher Airlines currently operates 187 flights a day, across 29 key Indian destinations, with a growing fleet of 31 brand new aircraft.

Continental Airlines is the world's fifth largest airline, and together with Continental Express and Continental Connection, has more than 3,100 daily departures throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia, serving 144 domestic and 138 international destinations.