American, Delta Link E-Tix

American and Delta airlines today announced an electronic ticket interlining agreement allowing passengers to book e-tickets for itineraries including both carriers and to transfer more easily from one carrier to the other in the event of schedule changes. Interlined e-tickets currently are available only through reservations centers, airports and ticket office locations, but Delta said it is working to expand access by year-end to travel agents via global distribution systems.

AA now has interlining agreements in place with six other major U.S. carriers. Delta's agreements also cover United and Northwest airlines.

Delta said 90 percent of its customers worldwide use e-tickets and the airline expects to reach 100 percent by the end of 2004. It also plans to interline e-tickets with Continental Airlines and US Airways by year-end. Once that occurs, and should Northwest and US Airways link their e-ticket systems, each Big Six carrier would have e-ticket interlining with every other.

Meanwhile, Alaska and sister carrier Horizon Airlines last week announced an interlining agreement with Continental. Alaska and Horizon previously aligned e-tickets with partner Northwest.