Korean Air is a founding member of Skyteam, but they’ve long been on the outs with Delta — even though they’re alliance members together Delta eliminated the ability to earn elite qualifying miles when flying Korean.

American’s launch of daily Dallas – Seoul service has hurt Korean’s performance on the route with its own daily flight, carrying 19% fewer passengers year-over-year.

Korean carried 114,192 passengers to and from Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport in the 12 months ended November 2014, compared to 140,784 in the 12 months before that.

Oddly, the press release talks about Korean placing its code on American’s flight — and passengers being able to earn Korean miles when flying American — but it doesn’t mention the reverse, earning American miles flying Korean or the American code on any Korean flight.

I confirmed with American that they haven’t announced any AAdvantage mileage-earning or adding an American code to Korean flights with this announcement.

The only things I can think of, since the arrangement wouldn’t help Korean fill its Dallas flight (it just helps fill American’s flight) are either that Korean may reduce flying in the market or they’re signaling something to Delta.

Regardless, no opportunities for AAdvantage members to use their miles on any Korean flight! Now that would have been fun..

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