DOT Approves Plan For Routes Between New York And London

A joint venture between Delta Air Lines and Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd. on routes between North America and the U.K has been granted antitrust immunity by the U.S. Department of Transportation.

In their filing to the DOT, Delta and Virgin Atlantic noted that nearly 60 percent of the slots at London Heathrow Airport are controlled by British Airways and its joint venture partners. As a result, the carriers dominate air travel between the U.S. and the U.K, including the New York-London market, which they say is the most important business market in the world. By combining Virgin Atlantic's Heathrow slots and U.K. brand strength with Delta's U.S. network, the two airlines say the joint venture will offer significant competition in the market and benefit consumers on both sides of the Atlantic.

"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," said Ed Bastian, Delta's president. "We have a proven record in making joint ventures succeed and we look forward to building our relationship with Virgin Atlantic."

The two airlines will work together to coordinate other schedule and network opportunities. Combined, the airlines will operate a total of 32 peak daily nonstop flights between North America and the U.K. of which 24 flights will operate between London Heathrow and popular U.S. destinations such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, Atlanta and Washington.

"Today represents a huge opportunity for both Virgin Atlantic's passengers and our business," said Craig Kreeger, Virgin's CEO. "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. For almost 30 years Virgin Atlantic has offered an award-winning experience and service to passengers traveling across the Atlantic, and today's ATI approval means we can build on this momentum and improve the consumer landscape at Heathrow for the better."

The new JFK-LHR schedule will be available for sale on Oct. 5, 2013.

FMI: www.delta.com, www.virginatlantic.com