New flights to US after Delta and Air France link up

Details of new flights between the UK and the US have been announced following the launch in October of a joint venture between American airline Delta and Air France.

From March 30 a new Air France transatlantic service will operate between Heathrow and Los Angeles. And in the wake of the Open Skies agreement that has liberalised air travel between Europe and the US a dozen additional routes have also been launched.

Air France will soon begin selling tickets for direct flights between the UK and Ireland and the US operated by Delta thanks to a code-share agreement between the two airlines.

Daily flights will start on March 30 from Heathrow and Gatwick to Atlanta; Manchester to Atlanta and New York JFK; Edinburgh to New York JFK; Gatwick to New York JFK and Cincinnati.

A twice a day service will operate between Heathrow and New York JFK while flights from Dublin to Atlanta and New York JFK, as well as a Shannon to New York JFK service are awaiting government approval.

Air France’s Bruno Matheu said: "The launch of new transatlantic routes marks a very important phase in our development strategy. The Air France KLM Group is already establishing itself as a major player in London, one of the world’s fastest-growing air transport markets."

The Open Skies agreement on transatlantic flights was heralded as a real step forward in ensuring increased competition between airlines, which it was hoped would improve flight options and cut prices for passengers.

Tickets are already on sale for the Heathrow to Los Angeles service, with the other routes expected to be available very soon.

© Cheapflights Ltd Craig McGinty