Rex and Delta interline agreement takes off

Passengers from Armidale to Wagga Wagga can jet off to the United States under one ticket, thanks to a new interline agreement between Rex and Delta Air Lines. Under the arrangement, passengers can book all flights on the one ticket and through-check luggage where permitted.

Likewise, Delta passengers departing from the USA, Canada and Mexico can connect to Rex’s domestic and regional network including Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide, Coffs Harbour and more. At this stage, Delta’s only Australian route is Los Angeles-Sydney. Fares under the interline agreement are now on sale.

Delta was previously Virgin Australia’s partner in the USA. But a major shakeup in early 2022 saw Virgin choose United Airlines instead, leaving Delta in the lurch and without a partner down under.

As Australia’s third-largest domestic carrier, Rex is naturally the best fit for Delta to maintain some connectivity across Australia.

How will the Rex/Delta interline work?

Initially, Rex and Delta interline fares can only be purchased through travel agents (both traditional and online) – you won’t be able to book these tickets on the Rex or Delta websites. The flights of both airlines will be issued under Delta’s ticket stock, so Delta will manage the overall booking.

For example, you can now book flights from anywhere in Rex’s eastern state network to Los Angeles and beyond – including to almost 50 cities across the USA and Latin America – on the same ticket. This can streamline costs and make it easier to travel.

When departing from Australia, you can check in with Rex and have your luggage tagged all the way to the USA. If you have a connecting flight within the USA, you’ll need to fetch your bags in Los Angeles and re-check them before continuing.

If you’re flying Delta back to Sydney and connecting to Rex, you can check in with Delta and have your bags tagged all the way as well. But you’ll need to pick up your bags at Sydney T1 (International) and make your own way to Sydney T2, where Rex’s check-in counters are located. There will be a dedicated lane for connecting Delta passengers.

In comparison, Qantas offers a ‘seamless lite’ transfer where you drop off your bags again at T1 and then take a transfer bus to the airline’s T3 domestic terminal.

Delta One (Business Class) passengers can connect to Rex Business Class on domestic flights to Brisbane, Melbourne and the Gold Coast. For all other routes and fare types (including Premium Select and Delta Comfort Plus), onwards travel is in Rex Economy.

What’s next for Rex and Delta?

An interline is the first step of the burgeoning airline partnership, but it means that a lot of other perks are yet to come. The next step might be a codeshare, where Rex customers can book a ZL-coded flight on Delta and vice-versa.

But for any further reciprocal frequent flyer benefits to take place, Rex needs to launch its much-delayed ‘Rex Flyer’ loyalty program. Only then might we see Rex’s frequent travellers earning points for flying on Delta, while Delta SkyMiles members could earn miles flying Rex around the country.