Delta Air Lines Acquires 49 Percent Stake in Virgin Atlantic

Delta Air Lines and Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd. detailed a codeshare agreement across 108 routes that offers customers seamless connections to 66 destinations across North America and the U.K.

Today's codeshare announcement coincides with Delta acquiring a 49 per cent stake in Sir Richard Branson's airline - 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.

Virgin Atlantic customers will now enjoy a vast network of connecting North American destinations while Delta customers will gain an additional six daily frequencies between London to New York

SkyMiles and Flying Club loyalty programs that will offer up to 125% tier bonus miles to frequent fliers on all Delta and Virgin Atlantic flights - not just those within the codeshare agreement

Reciprocal Delta Sky Club and Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse access at applicable airports for Upper Class and BusinessElite passengers and Flying Club Gold members and SkyMiles Platinum and Diamond members

Priority check-in, boarding, baggage handling and additional baggage allowance on all Virgin Atlantic and Delta operated flights worldwide - not just those within the codeshare agreement - for Virgin Atlantic Upper Class and Flying Club Gold members as well as Delta BusinessElite and SkyMiles Gold, Platinum and Diamond members.

The two airlines announced their intention to enter into a joint venture agreement in December 2012. Last week unconditional merger clearance was granted by the European Commission and the U.S Department of Justice closed their review of the transaction.