Delta celebrates 30 years since Gatwick launch

Delta Airlines has recently celebrated 30 years since it first began transatlantic services.

The carrier launched its connection between Atlanta and London Gatwick Airport on April 30th 1978, representing a milestone in its business and the growth of the Atlanta hub.

Speaking 30 years ago, Delta's vice-chairman of the board RS Maurer said that the launch was "a dream come true" that took more than a decade to realise.

Prior to the Gatwick service, Delta flew to Canada, the Bahamas and Venezuela, but the success of its transatlantic flight was the catalyst for its international expansion.

Commenting on the 30th anniversary, Glen Hauenstein, Delta's executive vice-president of network management, said: "By the end of this year we will have added almost 100 new international routes since 2005.

"What started with a single flight across the Atlantic eventually put Delta, our hometown of Atlanta and its airport on an unstoppable globalisation path."

Delta added a brand new connection to its transatlantic network on May 1st when it launched flights from New York JFK to Edinburgh Airport.