U.S. OKs expanded Delta, Air France, KLM, Virgin Atlantic pact
Air France, Delta Air Lines, KLM and Virgin Atlantic Airways have received a green light from U.S. authorities to expand their partnership.
The Department of Transportation approved the tie-up Thursday, a move that allows the airlines to operate as essentially one under a "joint venture" between Europe and the U.S. The approval includes conditions proposed in August when the DOT gave tentative approval to the deal, which now has been given a final sign-off by regulators. Conditions include reporting on the consumer benefits of the partnership annually, and a regulatory review of the pact every five years.
"This is the final regulatory step for the airlines to begin to work together to offer customers the best streamlined travel experience across the Atlantic," Delta spokeswoman Susannah Thurston told TPG. She said the carriers plan to implement the expanded pact in the "near future."
Sign up for the free daily TPG newsletter for more airline news!
The partnership will mean more flights — particularly to one of the partners' hubs — for travelers. However, it is also likely to include easier award redemptions, more reciprocal elite frequent flyer benefits, and better functionality across each airline's technology platforms.
The new pact replaces two separate tie ups between Delta and its European partners. Of those currently in place, one involves Delta and Air France, Alitalia and KLM, covering flights between the U.S. and the European continent. The another is between Delta and Virgin Atlantic and covers flights between the U.S. and UK.
The joint venture is one of three big groups across the Atlantic. American Airlines has a similar partnership with British Airways, Iberia, Finnair, and soon Aer Lingus. United Airlines is part of its own joint venture that includes Air Canada, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Lufthansa, and Swiss International Air Lines.
Delta and its partners have already announced many of their transatlantic route plans for 2020. The U.S. carrier will add flights between its Boston Logan (BOS) hub and both London Gatwick (LGW) and Rome (FCO), while partner Virgin Atlantic will connect Gatwick and New York John F. Kennedy (JFK). KLM plans new service to Delta's Austin (AUS) focus city from its Amsterdam (AMS) hub.
Combined capacity on Air France, Delta, KLM and Virgin Atlantic between Europe and the U.S. is scheduled to increase nearly 4% year-over-year in the first six months of 2020, according to Cirium schedule data.
Related: Delta, Air France, KLM, Virgin Atlantic Transatlantic Pact Gets Tentative Nod
The future role of Alitalia in the new partnership remains a question. The Italian carrier, which was part of Delta, Air France and KLM's prior pact, was not included in the expanded deal with Virgin Atlantic, though executives at several carriers said Alitalia could be added as an "associate" member at a later date.
Bas Gerressen, senior vice-president of North America at Air France-KLM, described the future addition of Alitalia as an associate member as "plug and play, and Alitalia would be the first one to plug on."
Any possible associate membership in the joint venture is understood to be separate from Delta's potential interest in an up to 10% stake in Alitalia as part of the carrier's restructuring.
Delta is a leader in forming joint ventures with foreign carriers. In addition to its transatlantic deal, it has similar partnerships with Aeromexico, Korean Air and Virgin Australia, is seeking approval for one with WestJet. Most recently, Delta announced plans to form another with LATAM Airlines — a deal that surprised the industry and upended LATAM's longstanding alliance with American and the Oneworld Alliance.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees