DL/VS apply for JV (with AF/KL/AZ co ordination)

Saw this posted on another site and on news.delta.com

http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDe ... -0068-0001

Some interesting points:

Firstly the antitrust immunity encompasses a five-way Coordination Agreement between Delta, Virgin Atlantic, Air France, KLM, and Alitalia.

- Virgin Atlantic does not have and cannot develop LHR as a hub to offer comprehensive coverage of U.K. regional cities. Coordination with Air France and KLM would help to alleviate this problem.

- Potential increase in frequency LHR-EWR with LHR-DTW a high priority. Aslo a potential new route of LHR-SLC.

- DL/VS to start LHR-SEA using a purchased alitalia slot for this route (JV dependant).

- Colocation at common airports saving $15M

-In addition, because Virgin Atlantic has a very limited intra-U.K. network, coordination with Air France/KLM will enhance the ability of both joint ventures to compete for transatlantic passengers in U.K. regional markets served via Paris and Amsterdam.

-the parties to the Delta/Virgin Atlantic Joint Venture, on the one hand, and the parties to the existing Delta/Air France/KLM/Alitalia Joint Venture, on the other hand, require antitrust immunity to coordinate activities in U.K. markets served by both joint ventures.

-Delta and Virgin Atlantic are contractually committed to implement the Joint Venture within six months after receipt of ATI approval

-The JV Parties will implement schedule improvements in the full IATA traffic season immediately following approval of this application and implementation of the JVA.

- Interesting they also say they have the same desire to be in the same terninal at LHR... no mention of T3 specifically.

-There are no plans for Delta to codeshare on Virgin Atlantic’s long haul services to points east and south of London.


Also on P29 there are some proposed schedule changes etc on the JFK/BOS routes. Ie BHOS would move to a 1700 departure (with DL at 930)

Good find y)

Thanks for summarising it too, made it easy to read this morning.

Scheduling changes are likely although with slot allocations being as tight as they are at LHR, they would not be able to vary too wildly.

With the amount invested at LHR T3 by VS would it not be prudent for DL to move along there? Perhaps SQ and DL switch desks

Shame VS cannot develop LHR into a hub for regional flights to feed the long haul op, expected though.. where would they magic the slots from? ii)

All in all looks like a sound joint venture agreement and with the inclusion of AF/KLM likely a precursor for VS entry into SkyTeam.. all in due time though. :w

Virgin need to get on to Aer Lingus, fast!
The market in Ireland needs a VS codeshare.

Still can't believe that BA are flying DUB and BHD to LHR, and code sharing with their main competitor on the same routes.

Yeah, the JV looks interesting, haven't done business in Seattle recently but always happy to visit Boeing!

Sealink, I think you may be right, Virgin did say in the PR about little red somewhere that they are looking at further cooperation with EI, didn't they? I think they could get even more Irish pax than domestic! :-$

Yeah, the JV looks interesting, haven't done business in Seattle recently but always happy to visit Boeing!

Sealink, I think you may be right, Virgin did say in the PR about little red somewhere that they are looking at further cooperation with EI, didn't they? I think they could get even more Irish pax than domestic! :-$

Good find indeed. I can see this being approved especially when you look at just how dominant AA/BA are in the UK/US market, especially out of BOS and NYC. Certainly VS/DL would not be going for it if they didnt think it had a large change of success.

One has to wonder how long it will be before the skyteam invitiation arrives on the door mat at Crawley and look even more long term how long it will be before FC gets folded into either Skymiles or, as I said when this was all orginally announced, Flying Blue.

Interestingly I read this article on Bloomberg today http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-04-0 ... -cool.html

I would imagine the JV and any future Skyteam membership will help cut costs further at VS (think, dare I say it, customer service centre centralised with AF/KL etc)

I imagine booking flights using DL's software would be more painless!

I don't think they will relinquish their frequent flyer program just yet.... VS have a lot to gain by adding more code-shares and FF partners and expanding their network as they are relatively weak in this regard, so it can only provide benefits IMHO.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/05/ ... F520130516

Looks like final approval should be granted/rejected within a month.

I'm holding on to my hat with this one, as I fear VS regulars will encounter some turbulence if there are significant changes to Flying Club, Clubhouse access etc.

If DL rock up at Heathrow T3 and enable their BizElite passengers to access the CH, it'll be rammed.

That said, on the positive side I'm looking forward to being able to book a proper meaningful connecting flight in the US, such as LHR-JFK-TPA without having to explain to the agent in very simple terms what I am wanting!

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/05/16/us-virginatlantic-delta-eu-idUSBRE94F0F520130516

Looks like final approval should be granted/rejected within a month.

I'm holding on to my hat with this one, as I fear VS regulars will encounter some turbulence if there are significant changes to Flying Club, Clubhouse access etc.

If DL rock up at Heathrow T3 and enable their BizElite passengers to access the CH, it'll be rammed.

Perhaps they'll take the EK / QF JV approach, i.e. advertise shared lounge access and put so many caveats around it that actually it's "as you were"....

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/05/16/us-virginatlantic-delta-eu-idUSBRE94F0F520130516

Looks like final approval should be granted/rejected within a month.

That is just for the EU I believe with the US DOT expected to rule in Q3.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/05/16/us-virginatlantic-delta-eu-idUSBRE94F0F520130516

Looks like final approval should be granted/rejected within a month.

I'm holding on to my hat with this one, as I fear VS regulars will encounter some turbulence if there are significant changes to Flying Club, Clubhouse access etc.

If DL rock up at Heathrow T3 and enable their BizElite passengers to access the CH, it'll be rammed.

I don't think this was an issue with the CO codeshare although of course maybe different terminal involved. Not with SQ anyway.

wwings - thanks I hadn't realised that the US DOT was still outstanding. I'd expect that if the EU approve it then they will follow suit though.

Sealink - CO never operated from T3, and (I believe) only SQ Suites passengers used to be able to access the CH.

http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2013/06/ ... l?hp&_r=1&

Looks like EU will approve it unconditionally according to reports.