Delta Air Lines is about to introduce its code onVirgin AtlanticFlights departing from London to South Africa, offering additional travel choices for travelers heading to South Africa. The codeshare agreement further strengthens the solid relationship between Delta and Virgin, who have collaborated on various levels.
Delta’s numerous daily flights to London will enable travelers from the United States to easily transfer to South Africa. WhileDelta Air Linescurrently operates nonstop flights to the country, it could potentially benefit from some unmet demand between the two nations.
Additional Travel Choices to South Africa
As reported by Aeroroutes, Delta will incorporate its code onto Virgin flightsFrom London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to Johannesburg OR Tambo (JNB) beginning August 7 and onwardsCape Town International Airport(CPT) beginning October 13. Travelers can fly directly from Delta’s hubs to the UK and then easily transfer to Johannesburg or Cape Town, offering them more options for travel between the US and South Africa.
Virgin offers a daily service to Johannesburg throughout the year and a seasonal daily service to Cape Town using the Boeing 787-9. Flights to Cape Town will restart on October 13, 2025, and continue until April 19, 2026. During this winter, flights to Johannesburg will leave at 19:40 and arrive at 08:40 local time. In contrast, Cape Town flights will depart at 22:30 and arrive at 12:05.
Virgin’s 787-9 aircraft provide 192 economy seats, 35 in premium (premium economy), and 31 in upper class (business class). Cape Town and Johannesburg are indeed Virgin Atlantic’s longest nonstop flights from Heathrow, covering distances of 5,209 NM (9,647 km) and 4,884 NM (9,045 km), respectively. Virgin faces competition from British Airways on these routes, as the national airline operates 17 weekly flights to Johannesburg and 14 to Cape Town.
Delta and Virgin’s Transatlantic Collaboration
Apart from being SkyTeammembers, Delta Air Lines and Virgin Airlinesmanage a transatlantic joint venture, providing passengers with additional advantages and smooth connectivity between the United States and the United Kingdom. Both airlines operate from the same terminal at London Heathrow. This year, Virgin is marking five years of collaboration with Delta, Air France, and KLM.
Travelers aboard Virgin Atlantic are eligible to accumulate Delta SkyMiles,Medallion members receive perks such as priority services and access to lounges. Likewise, members of the Flying Club can accumulate and use Virgin points and tier points when traveling with Delta. This applies to flights operated by Delta Shuttle and Delta Connection. Travelers will earn a portion of the miles they have traveled, based on the cabin class they choose.
Delta Air Lines currently provides as many as 99 weekly flights from the United States to three airports in the UK — London Heathrow, London Gatwick, and Edinburgh. The airline operates 68 weekly flights to Heathrow from seven different airports. The connections to Heathrow are as follows:
In the meantime, Virgin Atlantic provides 184 weekly flights departing from Edinburgh, London, and Manchester to 11 locations in the United States. The airline operates 157 flights from Heathrow. New York-JFK is the top destination from the London airport, with 42 weekly flights, followed by Los Angeles with 21, and Orlando with 17. Nevertheless, Orlando has the broadest network, offering flights from all three airports.
Delta and Virgin’s African Network
Although Delta will share flights with Virgin Atlantic on routes to JNB and CPT, the airline provides its own direct flights from the United States. It currently has daily nonstop flights from Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL) to Johannesburg and three weekly flights from Atlanta to Cape Town using the Airbus A350-900.The two services offer the longest nonstop flights to and from the African continent..
In total, Delta provides 27 weekly flights to Africa, including daily services from Atlanta to Lagos (Nigeria) and from New York to Accra (Ghana), as well as three weekly flights from New York to Dakar (Senegal).The company will increase its network coverage later this year., adding three weekly flights from Atlanta to Marrakesh (Morocco) and a daily route from Atlanta to Accra.
In the meantime, Johannesburg and Cape Town remain Virgin’s sole locations in Africa. The airline had intended to restart flights to Accra in May, ending a 12-year gap, but eventually decided against it.
