U.S. Department of Transportation approves Delta-Virgin Atlantic joint venture, allowing collaboration on U.S.-UK flights

9/23/2013

ATLANTA — Delta Air Lines Inc. says it can begin its joint venture with Virgin Atlantic now that they have antitrust immunity from the U.S. Transportation Department.

The antitrust immunity announced today means Delta and Virgin Atlantic can work together on scheduling flights, and share the profits.

The airlines plan to have a combined 32 round-trip flights per day, including 24 that leave from London’s Heathrow airport.

For Delta, the deal is a way to beef up its offerings between the New York area and London. It’s also likely to get more connecting travelers from Virgin Atlantic.

For Virgin Atlantic, the deal is a way to get more of Delta’s customers who are headed to London.