Access + $$$
The One Mile at a Time blog said it well “If a codeshare agreement is like dating, then a joint venture is like getting married.” JV partnerships allow Delta to coordinate pricing and schedules with their JV partners and they agree to share revenue regardless of which airline operates each flight.
JVs, however, also require an extensive approval process. For example, JV agreements require government approval (antitrust immunity) and, at Delta, trigger negotiations with ALPA. Delta can only enter into a JV with a foreign carrier if Delta metal flies at least four round trips per week from the United States to the home country of that foreign carrier, and cannot reduce block hours to the partner’s home country (unless ALPA negotiates new terms). At Delta, JVs are also subject to all the restrictions in Section 1 of the contract.
Antitrust immunity is a crucial element to joint ventures – allowing Delta to act as one entity with its JV partner, coordinating on routes, fares and schedules. Antitrust immunity allows two companies to operate as if they were one, for the purposes of their agreement.
Delta currently has four active JVs (Air France/KLM/Alitalia, Aeroméxico, Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Australia) and two pending JVs (Korean Air and WestJet).
Read About Delta’s Joint Ventures
Transatlantic JV Video Part III
Video 3 recaps the events that led to MEC Grievance 15-01 and the continuing decline of Delta’s share of Transatlantic flying since signing C2015 (TA2) reaching a new low of 46.5% in 2019
Delta Scope “Avalanche” covered by Forbes
Forbes article covers Delta pilots’ scope concerns…
Chairmans Letter, Thanksgiving
In his Thanksgiving letter, MEC Chairman Ryan Schnitzler lauds the DOTs ruling on the Blue Skies JV adding a labor provision protecting US- pilot jobs.
Transatlantic JV Video Part II
Transatlantic JV, Video 2 recaps MOU 14, Delta’s response to the financial crisis, its decreasing share of Transatlantic flying, the addition of Alitalia and the events that led to MEC Grievance 15-01.
Transatlantic JV Video Part I
This is the first video in this three-part series where we explore the history of the transatlantic JV and Delta Pilots ever declining share of JV flying.
Reuters: Delta pilots received record overtime while MAX crisis hit rivals – unions
Delta flying balance temporarily improves as Aeromexico and WestJet ground their 737MAX fleet
More on Delta’s Investment in LATAM
October 2, 2019 19-05 More on Delta's Investment in LATAM Delta intends to form a South American Joint...
Arbitrator Upholds ALPA’s Aeromexico JV Scope Grievance
October 3, 2019 19-29 Arbitrator Upholds ALPA’s Aeromexico JV Scope Grievance The arbitrator who heard the...
Pacific Flying
See how Delta’s Pacific Block Hours have declined over the past five years and see the “Pacific Growth” in context.
Transatlantic JV
Read about the current transatlantic joint venture between Delta, Air France / KLM, and Alitalia.