Delta to take major stake in Virgin Atlantic?

[EZEtoGRU]

Wow. Lots of airline/travel threads recently. Let's face it, gay men love to travel!

 

Anyway, this as been reported on for about a week now but Bloomberg indicates today that the deal is imminent. The background is that Singapore Airlines currently has a 49% stake in Virgin Atlantic that they wish to unload. Delta is negotiating to buy the stake and then treat North Atlantic flights between North America and the UK as a JV between Delta and Virgin Atlantic.

 

My guess is that if this deal goes forward, Virgin Atlantic will join the Skyteam airline alliance. Virgin America does not appear to be part of this deal. http://mobile.bloomberg.com/news/2012-12-10/delta-said-close-to-virgin-stake-deal-for-300-500-mln.html

[Diverdan]

Thanks for posting EZE... I had not seen this, but not surprised. Airline consolidation will continue and once AA emerges from bankruptcy, I would not be surprised to see a merger with USAir... not good for travelers.

[EZEtoGRU]

.....and it was just announced officially that the Delta/Virgin Atlantic deal has been agreed. How do I remove the question mark from the thread title?

 

http://mobile.bloomberg.com/news/2012-12-11/delta-buys-singapore-s-virgin-atlantic-stake-for-360-million.html