JetBlue, Aer Lingus form alliance

NEW YORK, Feb. 7 (UPI) -- JetBlue Airways Corp. and Ireland's Aer Lingus have agreed to the world's first international alliance between low-cost carriers, the companies said Wednesday.

The deal, set to begin this summer, is the first of several international partnerships JetBlue Chief Executive David Neeleman promised last year when he outlined his airline's expansion plans.

The partnership will likely include links between the two carriers' Web sites and special-fare deals for Irish travelers looking to go to other U.S. cities from New York, Crain's New York Business reported.

"The partnership will significantly extend Aer Lingus' reach into North America," the Dublin-based airline said. "Customers will now be able to make just one booking, which will allow them to travel from Ireland to the U.S. and onto a direct JetBlue flight to 51 destinations."

Aer Lingus transformed itself into a discount airline to compete against Irish rival Ryanair, one of Europe's largest low-cost carriers and most successful airlines.