Virgin Atlantic and Delta form joint venture

Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd. and Delta Air Lines are seeking approval for a joint venture on flights between North America and the United Kingdom.

The partnership will allow the companies to be more effective competitors by offering better and more flights, according to company officials. Additionally, the venture will allow the two to break into slots at London Heathrow Airport, currently dominated by a joint venture with American Airlines and British Airways.

Delta is headquartered in Atlanta and the U.S. headquarters for Virgin Atlantic, a British airline, is in Norwalk.

The U.S. Department of Transportation will need to approve the companies’ application for antitrust immunity for the partnership to progress.