Delta Air Lines : expands network between U.K. and U.S.

LONDON, Sept. 3, 2014 - Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) will launch daily nonstop service between Manchester International Airport and New York John F. Kennedy International Airport from June 2, 2015 as it increases its network between the U.K. and North America. The airline will also begin flying its first nonstop service between London-Heathrow and Newark Liberty International Airport effective March 29, 2015. Both routes will be operated in conjunction with joint venture partner Virgin Atlantic.

Delta's new Newark operation is part of a network update by Virgin Atlantic where Delta will operate one of Virgin's two Newark services while Virgin Atlantic will start its first daily nonstop Manchester to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport service*. This increase to the joint venture flying from Manchester will give customers access to more than 200 connecting destinations through Delta's Atlanta and New York-JFK hubs.

"The U.K. is a key market for us and building our connections to the United States is a top priority," said Perry Cantarutti, Delta's senior vice president, Europe, Middle East and Africa. "Our partnership with Virgin Atlantic continues to grow and is focused on improving services while offering more destinations and schedule choice for our customers."

Delta's Manchester to New York-JFK schedule is as follows:

Delta's London Heathrow to Newark schedule is as follows:

Delta has operated services from Manchester since June 1991 when its maiden flight departed from Atlanta. Virgin Atlantic, meanwhile, has served the market since 1996 and also operates services to Orlando and Las Vegas from Manchester.

The updated joint venture network from London-Heathrow brings the daily number of services to the New York area to 10. Eight of these flights will operate to JFK and two to Newark.

All Delta's aircraft operating between the U.K. and U.S. offer customers the choice of BusinessElite, Economy Comfort and Economy class seats. Those in BusinessElite will enjoy a five course meal with wines chosen by Master Sommelier Andrea Robinson, while passengers flying in Economy Comfort, Delta's premium economy service, benefit from up to four additional inches of legroom and 50 percent more recline than Delta's standard international Economy class seats, as well as priority boarding. Other product initiatives being rolled out across Delta's international fleet include the expansion of Wi-Fi service by the end of 2015. BusinessElite passengers departing from Newark will also have access to Virgin Atlantic's Clubhouse.

Customers wishing to book travel on Delta's nonstop services to the U.S. can call Delta's dedicated reservations team on 0871 2211222, visit delta.com, or see their travel agent.