JetBlue and South African Airways (SAA) have signed a bilateral codeshare agreement to connect the carriers’ networks via New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Washington’s Dulles International Airport (IAD).

The agreement is pending U.S. DOT regulatory approval and subject to receipt of foreign government operating authority.

The partnership – an expansion of an interline agreement first inked in 2010 – allows customers to purchase a single ticket combining SAA- and JetBlue-operated flights and enjoy day-of-travel conveniences such as one-stop check-in and baggage transfer.

JetBlue intends to place its “B6” code on South African Airways-operated flights between the U.S. and both Johannesburg, South Africa, and Dakar, Senegal, as well as on connecting flights to select destinations beyond Johannesburg, including Cape Town, Durban, East London and Port Elizabeth, South Africa. Tickets will be available for sale at a later date, pending regulatory and government approvals. 

The fastest way to more of South Africa and southern Africa, SAA flies nonstop each day between New York and Johannesburg’s O.R. Tambo International Airport and daily between Washington and Johannesburg via Dakar’s Leopold Sedar Senghor International Airport.

SAA has had a similar arrangement in place with JetBlue since 2011, placing its “SA” code on JetBlue-operated flights from its U.S. gateways to top destinations including Boston, Chicago, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and Fort Lauderdale and Orlando, Florida. 

“We are excited to expand our successful relationship with South African Airways through this new codeshare via Washington and JFK, where JetBlue is the number one domestic airline,” said Scott Laurence, JetBlue’s vice president of network planning and partnerships.

“South African has been a terrific travel partner for JetBlue, consistently delivering a great experience for our customers. We look forward to working with them to offer even more travel options in the years to come.” Laurence added.

At JFK Airport, JetBlue operates from its Terminal 5, while SAA operates from the adjacent Terminal 4, allowing for fast connections between flights. At Washington Dulles, both JetBlue and SAA are co-located in Concourse B.