PSA, Northwest Airlines Sign Flight Accord

Pacific Southwest Airlines has penned a marketing agreement which will connect some of the San Diego-based airline’s flights to Northwest Orient Airlines flights originating in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle.

As part of the agreement, certain PSA flights will be identified in computer reservations systems as Northwest flights, and passengers will be able to take advantage of each airlines’ frequent flyers programs.

The marketing agreement, which does not involve any ownership changes, matches Northwest, the nation’s seventh largest air carrier with PSA, the nation’s 13th largest.

“This is a good meshing of our systems,” said PSA spokesman Bill Hastings. “There are growth possibilities for expansion beyond the primary ties at the three major airports.”

Northwest previously announced similar operating arrangements with Denver-based America West; Minnesota-based Mesaba Airlines; Billings, Mont.-based Big Sky Airlines; and, Detroit-based Fischer Bros. Aviation.

Meanwhile, PSA on Monday said it will offer a special $30 introductory fare to highlight its new service to Albuquerque, Monterey and Concord.

Concord service is pending final government approval. With the addition of the three new cities, PSA will serve 30 markets in seven states and Mexico.