Likely this. UA had a limited code share with 9W until 2014 (when India was downgraded to FAA safety category 2) but didn’t renew them when category 1 was restored. But they continued the interline (preference over AI), and redeemable miles earning until 9W’s tie up with DL.

I wonder if UA (and possibly AC) has exclusivity regarding North American carriers, or will UK become everyone’s code share partner and also tie up with DL?

Regardless, I much preferred flying BLR(9W)-DEL(UA)-US over LH’s horrible skimlines on their 747s, and hopefully UK will fill 9W’s void nicely.

they’d had Vistara as an option for quite a while - I’d guess a year to a year and a half that I’ve seen, just on UK flight numbers. Definitely when Jet was still operating. Can’t remember exactly though on timing. I’ve definitely seen DEL-MAA/BLR (that’s tyoically where I fly) and I think some BOM frequencies too (haven’t looked beyond that as I typically fly to one of those two). Don’t know about bag check through, as I never ended up using UK, but it seems to expand the partnership to allow codeshares and mileage accrual. I’m guessing bag check through doesn’t work on US-India, as UAs flights likely wouldn’t connect same day to UK flights.

Definitely want to try Vistara though. AI is decent domestically, but all the other Domestic India options aren’t good, and Hopefully this could be a good option.

I see this as good news. Vistara is the best domestic Indian carrier. Juneyao, another UA partner in the region (China) that’s trying to be a full-service A320 operator, could learn a thing or two from Vistara.

This is great news. I flew Vistara from DEL-AMD and was impressed. There crew was great and the meal was decent. They serve Starbucks onboard in F as well.

that definitely makes sense. In India, foreign brands operating locally (at least in most industries) require a certain amount of ownership by a local partner, and both Vistara and Starbucks local partner is Tata. Vistara is a joint venture by Singapore Air and Tata, allowing Singapore to get in the domestic India Market. Starbucks in India is actually Tata Starbucks.