Jetstar and IndiGo's new virtual interlining partnership has gone live today, enabling passengers to connect with dozens of key destinations across Asia-Pacific through the Jetstar Connect platform. We take a closer look at this agreement and what it means for passengers below.
A virtual interlining agreement between Jetstar and IndiGo has launched today, giving travelers in India and Southeast Asia more options to book low-cost fares with both airlines through one platform.
Poh Tiong Seng, Jetstar Asia Commercial Lead, said,
"Today's announcement is a significant milestone for Jetstar as we continue to expand our network via Singapore's Changi Airport through our partnership with IndiGo. Jetstar Connect allows us to offer our customers more exciting opportunities to travel and more great value fares all at the click of a button, making travel even more accessible."
Jetstar passengers can now access IndiGo's services from Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) via jetstar.com, which includes flights to Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, Mumbai, New Delhi, and Tiruchirappalli.
Initially announced in April, the interlining agreement was set to go live later that month but was pushed back to an August launch. This is Jetstar's second virtual interlining partnership following a similar arrangement with Tiger Taiwan made in December 2019.
Sanjay Kumar, Chief Strategy and Revenue Officer at IndiGo, added,
"This strategic agreement will enable both airlines to tap into the rising demand for international travel, with the upcoming festive season. The partnership will enable customers to enjoy seamless connectivity between Jetstar and IndiGo and access to a wide variety of destinations across Asia-Pacific. This partnership will also help us to expand our international connectivity to yet another continent through Jetstar's network. We look forward to having Jetstar's customers on our lean clean flying machine, as we extend to them our on-time, affordable, courteous and hassle-free travel experience."
Jetstar Connect is Jetstar's interlining platform seamlessly integrated into its website, similar to easyJet's 'Worldwide by easyJet.' Interestingly, the same tech company is behind both platforms.
Dohop, an Icelandic technology and flight search engine company, helped Jetstar launch its Jetstar Connect platform in 2019 after a successful launch with easyJet in 2017.
Lim Ching Kiat, Changi Airport Group's Managing Director for Air Hub Development, said,
"In 2019, Singapore attracted over 1.4 million visitors from India to Singapore and with the relaxation of border policies, India has ranked among the top three countries at Changi in recent months. Jetstar and IndiGo are strategic partners of Changi Airport Group, and we welcome this new interline partnership as it will offer travelers more flight options at Changi Airport."
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Be advised that travelers connecting on IndiGo flights must verify their credit card details or could risk being refused boarding. The owner of the credit card used to pay for the booking must authorize the use of their card, either by calling an IndiGo office or at the airport check-in desk.
According to Jetstar, "this is a requirement for all IndiGo flights. If the credit card can't be verified, you may be prevented from checking in or boarding your flight at the discretion of IndiGo."
While this won't be a problem if you are using your own credit card, keep this in mind if a friend or family member has paid for your booking.
When booking through Jetstar Connect, you will receive a separate booking reference for each leg of your trip. Making changes to any part of your booking can be done directly with the airline conducting that leg of your journey, online or over the phone.
What are your thoughts on this new virtual interlining partnership between Jetstar and IndiGo? Do you have any trips with either airline coming up? Let us know in the comments.