Delta and the Virgin Blue Group Expand Codeshare Agreement

Delta Air Lines is expanding its codesharing agreement with the Virgin Blue Airlines Group to add five new destinations in Australia and New Zealand to Delta’s network.

From May 21, the expanded service will allow Delta Air Lines customers to connect seamlessly to Perth, Adelaide and Canberra in Australia, as well as Auckland and Christchurch in New Zealand.

Additionally, under the expanded codeshare agreement, Virgin Blue customers flying the group’s long-haul airline V Australia will now be able to connect in Los Angeles to Delta flights to San Francisco, Las Vegas, Atlanta and Detroit, in addition to codeshare flights already available to New York JFK and Orlando.

“This expanded codesharing strengthens our alliance relationship with Virgin Blue, and broadens our network throughout Australia and New Zealand to provide a slate of new choices for our customers,” says Charlie Pappas, Delta’s vice president – alliances. “It underscores the benefits to our customers of sound alliance relationships with strong airlines like Virgin Blue.”

Virgin Blue, Australia's second-largest airline group, uses a 79-aircraft fleet of Boeing 737-700s, 737-800s, Embraer 190s and an Airbus A330 for the domestic and regional international operations of Virgin Blue, Pacific Blue and joint venture Polynesian Blue

The expanded codeshare is the latest step in a previously announced marketing alliance between Delta and Virgin Blue to offer customers access to more destinations across the Pacific, as well as reciprocal airport-lounge and frequent-flier benefits.

Delta passengers can already connect on Virgin Blue flights to Brisbane and Melbourne by means of codeshares that began in January 2010. Delta operates nonstop service between Los Angeles and Sydney, where all its codeshare flights with Virgin Blue connect.

Members of Delta’s SkyMiles loyalty program are eligible to earn SkyMiles on V Australia international flights and Virgin Blue domestic flights operated in conjunction with the agreement. Delta’s BusinessElite customers, Platinum, Gold and Diamond Medallion members and Sky Club members also have 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 enjoy complimentary access to 50 Sky Club locations around the world.