Delta and Virgin Atlantic will offer a total of 32 flights a day between the UK and the US from next spring after clearing the final hurdle for their joint venture.
The US Department of Transportation yesterday granted the two airlines anti-trust immunity on routes between North America and the UK.
From March 30 next year, Delta and virgin will offer seven daily non-stop flights on the busy JFK to Heathrow route, including departures every 30 minutes during the early evening peak, and then hourly until 22.30.
They will offer a spread of seven daily flights from Heathrow to JFK, including two late afternoon and early evening departures.
The services will be complemented by two daily flights between Newark airport and Heathrow.
Combined, the two airlines will operate a total of 32 daily nonstop flights between the US and the UK, of which 24 flights will operate between Heathrow and popular destinations such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, Atlanta and Washington.
The two carriers said yesterday’s ruling would allow them to offer passengers more choice and, in particular, improve options for business customers on the London to New York route.
Ed Bastian, Delta’s president said: "We are delighted that the Department of Transportation recognizes that the immunised partnership offers significant advantages to customers. The freedom to cooperate fully with Virgin Atlantic will initiate a new era of greater competition in the New York to London market where it is much needed. We have a proven record in making joint ventures succeed and we look forward to building our relationship with Virgin Atlantic."
In their filing to the DOT, Delta and Virgin Atlantic said nearly 60 per cent of the slots at Heathrow were controlled by British Airways and its joint venture partners. As a result, the carriers dominate air travel between the US and the UK, including the New York-London market, the most important business market in the world.
"By combining Virgin Atlantic’s Heathrow slots and U.K. brand strength with Delta’s powerful US network, the joint venture will offer significant competition in the market and benefit consumers on both sides of the Atlantic," it said.
Craig Kreeger, Virgin’s CEO, added: "Today represents a huge opportunity for both Virgin Atlantic’s passengers and our business.
"Our partnership with Delta means we will be able to offer convenient aligned schedules and a much broader network, giving the best possible travel choices and on board experience to trans-Atlantic passengers."
