Delta, Virgin seal the deal
Delta Air Lines and Virgin Atlantic have finalised the details of a codeshare agreement that offers customers seamless connections to 66 destinations across North America and the U.K.
The agreement coincides with Delta acquiring a 49% stake in Sir Richard Branson’s airline from Singapore Airlines – 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 several loyalty programme bonuses for both SkyMiles and Flying Club members.
Reciprocal code sharing will begin on July 3. Flights can be booked from June 29.
In future, corporate and travel agency customers of both airlines will also benefit from an aligned sales effort on both sides of the Atlantic.
Last December Delta agreed to pay US$360 million in cash for Singapore Airlines’ entire shareholding in Virgin Atlantic.
Commercial arrangements between Singapore Airlines and Virgin Atlantic, encompassing codesharing, frequent-flyer programme cross participation and reciprocal lounge access, will remain in place.
Ian Jarrett
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