Delta, Virgin Blue Airlines Group launch marketing alliance
Delta Air Lines and the Virgin Blue Airlines Group announced they will implement their first codeshare flights beginning in January 2010. The flights mark the beginning of a previously announced marketing alliance between Delta and Virgin Blue’s long-haul airline – V Australia – to offer customers access to more destinations across the Pacific as well as reciprocal airport lounge and frequent flyer benefits.
Six routes are available for codeshare booking by Delta and V Australia customers for connecting travel. Virgin Blue customers may now book tickets for travel beginning Jan. 18 on Delta-operated flights between Los Angeles and Cincinnati, New York-JFK, Orlando and Salt Lake City. Delta customers may now book tickets for travel beginning Feb. 15 on Virgin Blue-operated flights between Sydney and Brisbane and Melbourne, Australia.
In addition to codeshare access, Delta SkyMiles members are now eligible to earn SkyMiles on V Australia and Virgin Blue’s domestic airline flights. Delta’s BusinessElite customers, Platinum, Gold and Diamond Medallion members and Sky Club members also gain complimentary access to Virgin Blue lounges at airports throughout Australia. Virgin Blue’s Velocity members are eligible to earn frequent flier miles for travel on Delta and gain complimentary access to 50 Sky Club locations around the world.
“Delta and Virgin Blue make exciting alliance partners for travel between the United States and Australia, and we look forward to welcoming Virgin Blue customers onboard our flights to and from L.A.,” said Glen Hauenstein, Delta’s executive vice president – Network and Revenue Management. “The launch of codesharing between our two airlines is the first step in our collective efforts to make it easier for Delta customers to travel throughout Australia and the South Pacific.”
In July, Delta and the Virgin Blue Airlines Group announced plans to seek regulatory approval to form a joint venture to expand the carriers’ reach between the U.S. and Australia. Last week, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission issued a final determination granting authorization to the airlines’ joint venture, recognizing that the alliance will enhance competition on trans-Pacific routes.
Separately, the U.S. Department of Transportation has approved codesharing between the airlines and is currently reviewing the carriers’ antitrust immunity applications. Given the nature of the agreement, which fosters competition, the airlines anticipate a favorable ruling soon.
Delta began daily nonstop service between Los Angeles and Sydney on July 1, 2009 using Boeing 777-200LR aircraft. The new service positioned Delta as the only U.S. airline to operate service to six continents. V Australia operates daily nonstop Boeing 777-300 service between Los Angeles and Sydney, and service three times weekly between Los Angeles and Brisbane and two times weekly between Los Angeles and Melbourne. The two airlines have significantly increased competition in the U.S.-to-Australia market which for years was dominated by two carriers.
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