In a landmark move poised to reshape global aviation, IndiGo, Delta Air Lines, Air France-KLM, and Virgin Atlantic have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a major transcontinental airline partnership connecting India with North America, the U.K., Europe, and beyond.
The agreement aims to leverage the individual strengths of each airline: IndiGo’s expansive Indian domestic network, Delta’s transatlantic and U.S. dominance, Air France-KLM’s European and North American reach, and Virgin Atlantic’s strong U.K. and transatlantic presence. Together, they seek to enhance connectivity, streamline journeys, and deliver a unified travel experience across continents.
Pieter Elbers, IndiGo’s CEO, called the agreement a milestone in IndiGo’s goal to become a global airline by 2030. The carrier’s expanding long-haul operations—including new services to Europe and its growing wide-body fleet—will now integrate with partner networks to offer seamless access to global markets.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian highlighted plans to resume direct U.S.-India services and emphasized the partnership’s role in increasing global accessibility and reliability. Air France-KLM CEO Benjamin Smith emphasized India’s strategic importance and pledged to welcome IndiGo customers aboard an expanding European footprint. Virgin Atlantic CEO Shai Weiss celebrated the evolution of their India strategy, linking major economies and elevating guest benefits.
This collaboration builds on existing IndiGo partnerships with Air France-KLM and Virgin Atlantic, which already grant access to over 30 Indian cities. Upcoming integration with Delta’s transatlantic routes, including new service opportunities from Amsterdam and Manchester, will enable customers to book intercontinental itineraries under IndiGo’s 6E* marketing code.
The MoU also lays groundwork for broad cooperation in areas including commercial strategy, cargo, loyalty programs, aircraft maintenance, sustainability, training, and technology. Future operational synergy will be bolstered as IndiGo expands its wide-body fleet with six Boeing 787s and 30 ordered Airbus A350-900 aircraft.
Delta plans to resume nonstop service between Atlanta and Delhi, pending regulatory approvals. The partnership’s ultimate goal is to establish a truly global alliance delivering consistency, innovation, and scale to meet surging international demand.
Swifteradio.com
