Building on the strength of our joint venture partnership
This year we continue to build on the strength of our joint venture partnership between Delta Air Lines, Air France, KLM and Virgin Atlantic. Together, we’re delivering stronger connectivity, enhanced customer benefits and a more seamless, premium transatlantic travel experience.
Since launching in 2020, our joint venture has evolved into one of the most comprehensive airline partnerships. By aligning schedules, coordinating policies and processes and investing in customer experience, our four airlines provide greater choice, flexibility and consistency for travellers flying between North America, Europe and beyond.
Virgin Atlantic's joint venture partnership
Expanding our global reach
This summer season highlights the ongoing momentum of our partnership as each airline expands and strengthens its network:
Virgin Atlantic customers travelling to New York will benefit from thier strongest-ever JFK schedule, with more opportunities to fly on the newest A350 aircraft, especially on the earliest departures of the day. Customers flying to Los Angeles, San Francisco and Atlanta on morning services will also enjoy the comfort and experience of the A350, helping more customers start their journey refreshed and ready to enjoy everything these destinations have to offer.
Delta Air Lines is expanding its Summer 2026 schedule with seven new transatlantic routes, including launches from Rome-Seattle and Madrid-Boston on 6 May, Barcelona-Seattle on 7 May, followed by Nice-Boston on 16 May, Olbia, Sardinia-New York(JFK) on 20 May, Porto-New York(JFK) on 21 May and Malta-New York (JFK) on 7June. These additions bring Delta to over 650 weekly flights to nearly 30 European destinations – across its largest transatlantic schedule in Delta’s history.
Air France will strengthen their transatlantic network, increasing services between Paris-Charles de Gaulle and key North American destinations. The airline will launch a new three-times-weekly service to Las Vegas and resume seasonal routes to Denver and Quebec City. Daily flights to Newark will double, complementing six daily services to New York JFK.
KLM will expand their U.S. network, strengthening connectivity from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. Customers can now fly daily to Portland, Oregon throughout the summer. Services to San Diego and Miami will also run throughout the full summer season for the first time.
Together, our coordinated schedules and increased frequencies shared provide customers with smoother onward connections, expanded travel options and a truly integrated transatlantic network.
For full details on routes and frequencies, please see our transatlantic network map for Summer 2026 here.
A seamless experience on the ground
Delivering a smooth and hassle-free airport experience remains central to our partnership.
Across all four airlines, customers benefit from convenient digital check-in options, mobile boarding passes and streamlined airport processes such as through checked baggage, designed to improve efficiency, reduce wait times and provide industry leading service.
Investments in lounges continue to enhance our ground experience:
- Virgin Atlantic’s iconic London Heathrow Clubhouse has received a stylish makeover, elevating comfort and design for departing guests, and the JFK Clubhouse is next
- Delta’s expanding its Sky Club network and investing in the Delta One experience with its Delta One Lounge portfolio and expanding Delta One Check-Ins across all U.S. hubs
- Air France’s upgraded global lounges, including flagship enhancements in Paris-Charles de Gaulle and a new lounge at Chicago O'Hare International Airport
- KLM’s refreshed Crown Lounge at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, blends Dutch design with comfort and functionality
Elevated experiences in the air
Across every cabin, our airlines are focused on delivering a high-quality onboard experience that meets the needs of today’s travellers.
From lie-flat seats and premium dining in our luxury cabins to greater comfort and carefully selected entertainment across all classes, customers enjoy each airline’s unique style alongside a shared commitment to great service.
Continued investment in cabin upgrades and Wi-Fi is helping to further enhance journeys and make for a more comfortable and connected experience.
Traveller benefits across our network
Our joint venture strengthens loyalty opportunities by enabling customers to earn and redeem rewards across all four airlines through the frequent flyer programme of their choice.
Whether customers are members of Flying Club, SkyMiles or Flying Blue they can:
- Earn miles or points when travelling across the joint venture network
- Redeem rewards across all four airlines
- Receive reciprocal recognition of elite status
- Access any of the four airlines’ lounges wherever eligible customers are travelling to
In addition to these core loyalty benefits, Corporate Priority benefits further elevate the experience for business travellers. Designed to create a more seamless journey and prioritise corporate customers across the entire travel ribbon, these global benefits include:
- Preferred Seat Choice
- Priority Boarding*
- Priority Service Recovery
- Downgrade Prioritization
- Denied Boarding Prioritization
Together, these loyalty and Corporate Priority offerings ensure that frequent and corporate travellers alike enjoy meaningful recognition, consistent benefits and maximum value no matter which partner airline they choose to fly.
* Priority Boarding not available on Virgin Atlantic
Play and learn
We’ve launched a short interactive gallery created for you to explore our joint venture, understand the strength of our combined network and learn more about the benefits available across our airlines.
It’s a fun way to test your knowledge while discovering how our four carriers work together to redefine transatlantic travel.
