Delta Air Lines has bought 49% of British airline Virgin Atlantic, and the two airlines will begin codesharing and partnering starting July 3, they announced yesterday.
The $360 million purchase gives Delta access to the lucrative London market.
Richard Branson’s Virgin Group will continue to own a controlling 51 percent of Virgin Atlantic.
Travelers now can earn and redeem frequent-flyer points on either airline, as well as use their elite status and lounge privileges on both.
Virgin CEO Craig Kreeger said his airline is still considering whether it will join the SkyTeam global alliance of 19 airlines, of which Delta is a member, along with airlines like Air France, Alitalia, and KLM.
SkyTeam offers global corporate loyalty and meeting programs.
In May its Global Meetings program added an online self-booking tool that lets delegates book discounted travel on any of SkyTeam’s 19 member airlines through a dedicated portal on SkyTeam.com, as well as increased discounts.
Organizers can register their event with Global Meetings from two months to five years in advance on SkyTeam.com, and get fare discounts, frequent-flyer points for attendees, and one free ticket for every 50 attendees.
To qualify, an event must have 50 or more attendees traveling by air from a minimum of two countries other than the country in which the event is taking place.
