Delta to take over United Airlines service

American airline Delta is to take over a London-New York air route from fellow US carrier United, it was announced today.

United will be giving up its New York service out of Heathrow airport in October, with Delta starting daily Gatwick-New York flights shortly after that.

The deal, subject to American Government approval, will also see Delta operating a second daily Gatwick-New York service in spring 2007.

Delta already operates flights out of Gatwick to Atlanta and Cincinnati, services between Manchester and Atlanta and New York and services between Edinburgh and Atlanta.

United, American Airlines, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic are the only four carriers allowed by long-standing UK-US air regulations to fly between Heathrow and New York.

Although delighted to be starting Gatwick services to the Big Apple, Delta - and many other carriers – would like to see a new Atlantic open skies policy introduced that would permit other airlines to fly to New York from Heathrow.