Transatlantic agreement brings new flights to Heathrow

More transatlantic flights will be coming to Heathrow Airport next year following a joint venture agreement between Air France and US carrier Delta Air Lines.

The deal between the two companies will involve the sharing of revenues and costs on transatlantic routes with the ultimate aim of boosting competition and offering more travel choices to customers.

As a direct result of the agreement, Delta announced that its passengers would see non-stop access from the US to Heathrow Airport as well as two hubs in France next year.

Direct flights from Atlanta to Heathrow will launch on March 29th and a link between New York JFK and the London hub will be opened on the same date.

Services from JFK to Paris Orly and Lyon will launch on June 2nd and July 15th respectively.

Jean-Cyril Spinetta, chairman and CEO of the Air France KLM group, said that the agreement marked a turning point in the airlines' partnership and will lead to some "particularly interesting opportunities".

Delta chief executive Richard Anderson said: "This is a win for Delta, Air France and for the loyal base of customers who fly our airlines across the Atlantic each year."