Rex today announced it had signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with Delta Air Lines, the leading global airline. The LOI confirmed the parties’ intention to enter into a ‘definitive commercial agreement’.

The final agreement will see Rex and Delta providing reciprocal interline ticketing and baggage services to each other commencing during the third quarter in 2022.

“This is a milestone moment for Rex and our passengers. Rex is delighted to forge a partnership with America’s most awarded airline. Our tie-up with Delta will help boost the post-COVID return of long-haul international travel,” Rex Deputy Chairman, the Hon John Sharp AM, said.

Delta operates over 4,000 flights a day to more than 275 destinations on six continents and has served as many as 200 million customers annually. Delta’s world-class customer experience and operational reliability were recognized by J.D. Power, Fortune's World’s Most Admired Companies, the Wall Street Journal, and Business Travel News, among many others.

“Delta will not only connect international travellers on Rex’s trunk domestic routes, but could also allow them easy access to Rex’s expansive network of over 60 routes throughout regional Australia,” the Hon John Sharp AM continued.

Rex’s passengers will be able to connect seamlessly on Delta’s daily, non-stop flights between Sydney and Los Angeles, a frequency which will increase to 10 flights a week beginning December 18, 2022, and from there to nearly 50 cities in the U.S.

“Rex will be a valued partner that will bring additional connectivity and geographic reach to both airlines,” said Delta’s Vice-President – Alliance Partner Development, Jeff Arinder. “We look forward to welcoming more customers to our flights from Sydney to the U.S. and providing a world-class customer experience in the air and on the ground.”

Rex is Australia’s largest independent regional and domestic airline operating a fleet of 60 Saab 340 and 6 Boeing 737-800 NG aircraft to 62 destinations throughout all states in Australia. In addition to the airline Rex, the Rex Group comprises wholly owned subsidiaries Pel-Air Aviation (air freight, aeromedical and charter operator) and the two pilot academies, Australian Airline Pilot Academy in Wagga Wagga and Ballarat.