Virgin dumps Delta for United to increase US options for travellers

Looking to bolster its offering to North and South America, Virgin is ending its partnership with Delta Air Lines in favour of United.

Delta Air Lines has been dumped by Virgin Australia in favour of United Airlines in a move that’s expected to see the Aussie carrier permanently withdraw from US routes. Picture: Robyn Beck/AFP

Virgin Australia has dumped Delta Air Lines for United in a move that raises questions about the local carrier’s return to US routes.

The split with Delta ends a ten-year partnership and Virgin chief executive Jayne Hrdlicka thanked the US carrier for their “longstanding commitment”.

“As a strategic partner with Virgin Australia for many years, Delta Air Lines has shared a wonderful journey with us and we appreciate and value the many achievements we made together,” Ms Hrdlicka said.

A spokesman for Delta said they were “disappointed with Virgin’s decision to partner with a competitor”.

“Delta’s partnership and codeshare agreement with Virgin Australia will end in June 2022,” the spokesman said. “Customers who are booked for codeshare travel after June 2022 will be re-accommodated.”

The new tie-up with United was due to start in April, tripling Virgin’s reach into North and South America, and offer reciprocal benefits for Velocity frequent flyer and Mileage Plus members.

As well as daily direct flights from San Francisco and Los Angeles into Sydney, United offered flights from Houston, and would resume direct services to Melbourne later next year.

In contrast, Delta operated a solitary route into Australia, in Los Angeles to Sydney.

Ms Hrdlicka said the US was a key market for Virgin and the partnership with United created “hundreds of new ways” for customers to travel overseas again.

“Virgin Australia customers will have significantly more options for travel from Australia to the States, with more than three-times as many services available to them, which is great news for Australian travellers,” said Ms Hrdlicka.

“We are grateful to have such a strong partner in United. They have proudly been one of Australia’s most loyal and long serving aviation partners and their market strength both to Australia and in the United States brings great value to our guests.”

United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby said the US and Australia shared a “special bond” and he was proud United was the only airline to maintain a vital link between the two countries throughout the pandemic.

“Looking ahead, Virgin Australia is the perfect partner for United,” Mr Kirby said.

“Our partnership provides considerable commercial value for both airlines and a shared commitment to offer the best travel experience for our customers.”

Further details of the Virgin-Delta break-up would be released next year, with Virgin vowing to honour all Delta customer bookings.

The switch to United was expected to heighten speculation Virgin would not return to long-haul flying after getting rid of its wide-body aircraft.

Speaking at the CAPA Centre for Aviation summit this month, Ms Hrdlicka said it was an “open question” whether Virgin returned to destinations such as the US and Japan.

“If not we will work with partners to serve those markets,” she said.

As well as a wide network in the US, United had the advantage of spearheading the push towards sustainable aviation, and operated the world’s first commercial passenger flight using 100 per cent sustainable aviation fuel last week.