Delta Air Lines Unveils Details of Virgin Atlantic Partnership

Delta Air Lines and Virgin Atlantic have outlined details of a codeshare agreement across 108 routes that offers customers seamless connections to 66 destinations across North America and the U.K..

The codeshare announcement coincides with Delta acquiring a 49% stake in Sir Richard Branson's airline - marking the next step towards a full joint venture between the two carriers.

Virgin Atlantic will place its code on 91 Delta routes, including both trans-Atlantic and domestic U.S. routes. Delta will place its code on 17 Virgin Atlantic routes, including the recently launched Little Red domestic U.K. services connecting London to Manchester, Edinburgh and Aberdeen.

The agreement includes the following customer benefits:

- Virgin Atlantic customers can now enjoy a vast network of connecting North American destinations while Delta customers will gain an additional six daily frequencies between London to New York.

- SkyMiles and Flying Club loyalty programs that will offer up to 125% tier bonus miles to frequent fliers on all Delta and Virgin Atlantic flights - not just those within the codeshare agreement

- Reciprocal Delta Sky Club and Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse access at applicable airports for Upper Class and BusinessElite passengers and Flying Club Gold members and SkyMiles Platinum and Diamond members.

- Priority check-in, boarding, baggage handling and additional baggage allowance on all Virgin Atlantic and Delta operated flights worldwide - not just those within the codeshare agreement - for Virgin Atlantic Upper Class and Flying Club Gold members as well as Delta BusinessElite and SkyMiles Gold, Platinum and Diamond members.

"This is a strategic investment that enhances Delta's network with greatly improved access to London Heathrow, the leading marketplace on the trans-Atlantic," said Ed Bastian, Delta's president. "As we unite two leading global airline brands in an innovative partnership that focuses on delivering enhanced benefits and services for our customers, we also become a more formidable competitor across the Atlantic."

The two airlines announced their intention to enter into a joint venture agreement in December 2012. Last week unconditional merger clearance was granted by the European Commission and the U.S Department of Justice closed their review of the transaction. Now, Delta has successfully completed its acquisition of a 49% stake in Virgin Atlantic. The U.S Department of Transportation is currently reviewing the parties' application for antitrust immunity relating to the proposed joint venture of the parties' operations on nonstop routes between the US and the UK. This review is expected to be completed during third quarter of 2013, and the implementation of the Delta/Virgin Atlantic joint venture is anticipated to occur in the first quarter of 2014.

Customers will be able to reap the rewards of the reciprocal codesharing beginning 3 July 2013 when travel across the routes begin. Flights can be booked from 29 June 2013.