The service was announced alongside a four-way airline partnership involving IndiGo, Air France-KLM, and Virgin Atlantic.
A Delta A350-900. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)
Delta plans to start nonstop service between its main hub in Atlanta and Delhi as part of a new airline alliance framework meant to better connect India with North America, Europe, and the U.K.
Delta announced Sunday that it signed a memorandum of understanding with IndiGo, Air France-KLM, and Virgin Atlantic that will eventually allow the partners to coordinate their route networks and sign codeshare agreements. Plans are in the works to allow IndiGo passengers traveling from India to book certain onward flights via the other carriers.
Those onward flights include KLM service to various destinations in Europe, Delta and KLM flights linking Amsterdam with the U.S. and Canada, and Virgin Atlantic service between Manchester, England, and the U.S.
This new level of cooperation will require the completion of “commercial contracts and regulatory procedures,” the partners said.
A KLM Boeing 777-200 (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)
Delta announced the Atlanta-Delhi service alongside the alliance, but will not rely on any of the other carriers to operate it. The airline has not offered a nonstop flight between the U.S. and India since 2020, when it discontinued a route connecting New York and Mumbai.
The new route is subject to government approval, and Delta has not disclosed a prospective launch date.
“This agreement is another example of our commitment to making travel more connected, more inclusive and more accessible,” said Delta CEO Ed Bastian. “Combining our strengths with those of IndiGo, Air France-KLM, and Virgin Atlantic will enable us to offer unparalleled connectivity and convenience, ensuring that our customers enjoy the highest standards of service and reliability across the globe. We look forward to restarting Delta’s direct service from the U.S. to India in the near future.”
The airline partners said their alliance could eventually include collaboration on loyalty programs, cargo, and sales, as well as non-commercial cooperation on aircraft maintenance, technology, sustainability, and ground handling.
In September, KLM will launch a route between Amsterdam and Hyderabad, India. As part of the new agreement, KLM will start selling IndiGo routes to 24 destinations beyond Hyderabad.
IndiGo, the largest airline in India, is in the process of expanding its network beyond South Asia. This summer, it will launch service between Mumbai and Amsterdam and Manchester. The airline plans to expand its long-haul offerings as it gradually acquires more widebody aircraft like the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Airbus A350-900.
IndiGo has had partnerships with Air France-KLM and Virgin Atlantic since 2022 allowing passengers to earn IndiGo rewards points.
Receive a daily dose of the airline industry's top stories along with market insights right in your inbox.
American and United are suspending flights to the Middle East, citing ongoing regional instability and safety concerns. American Halts Doha…
Hawaiian Airlines landed in Alaska again for the first time in roughly 20 years earlier this month. Now owned by…
Sierra Leone’s national carrier, Air Sierra Leone, has commenced flying to the United Kingdom. On Monday, the airline operated its…
Leave a Reply