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Indian low-cost carrier, IndiGo, and four SkyTeam airlines (Delta Air Lines, Air France, KLM, and Virgin Atlantic) announced a new partnership today to offer more connections between North America, the UK, Europe, India, and beyond.
India is one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets. IndiGo offers an extensive domestic network that will be coupled with Delta’s reach in North America and the transatlantic, Air France and KLM’s coverage in Europe and North America, and Virgin Atlantic’s presence in the UK and transatlantic. The partnership will offer travelers a more consistent experience across continents with connections to dozens of cities in the United States, Canada, Europe, and India.
IndiGo holds existing partnerships with Air France, KLM, and Virgin Atlantic that date back to 2022. Air France, KLM, and Virgin Atlantic passengers have had access to more than 30 IndiGo destinations in India. The updates to the partnership will allow IndiGo to sell partner flights as its own under its own 6E codeshares (subject to government approval). IndiGo customers will be able to book onward travel on select flights operated by its international partners across Europe and North America. Routes include:
- KLM flights from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) to 30 points within Europe
- Delta and KLM flights from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) to the United States and Canada
- Virgin Atlantic flights from Manchester Airport (MAN) to the United States
KLM’s upcoming (launching in September 2025) route between Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) and Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (HYD) offers an additional opportunity for cooperation with IndiGo. With the route’s launch, Air France-KLM will begin selling IndiGo flights to 24 destinations beyond Hyderabad. Delta Air Lines also plans to resume flights between Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) and Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) in the near future (dates and frequency have not yet been announced).
IndiGo will also enhance its fleet of damp leased Boeing 787 aircraft with six additional being added as well as an order of 30 Airbus A350-900 aircraft (with options for 70 more). As these aircraft join IndiGo’s fleet, the airline’s long-haul expansion will enable further and deeper cooperation with the partners.
Pieter Elbers, CEO of IndiGo, said:
IndiGo has embarked on an ambitious journey to become a global airline by 2030. This partnership represents another important milestone to pursue commercial synergies, operational excellence and innovation. This announcement not only expands our relationship with Air France–KLM and Virgin Atlantic but also marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter as we welcome Delta Air Lines as a valued partner. We are particularly excited to start our long-haul expansion from this Summer and connect with our partners’ networks to provide greater access to Europe and North America. This strategic partnership enables a compelling combined customer proposition in the form of comprehensive intercontinental connectivity, seamless experience and great loyalty value. It also lays the groundwork for us to exchange best practices in areas of technology, operational excellence and service delivery.”
Ed Bastian, CEO of Delta Air Lines, commented:
This agreement is another example of our commitment to making travel more connected, more inclusive and more accessible. Combining our strengths with those of IndiGo, Air France-KLM, and Virgin Atlantic, will enable us to offer unparalleled connectivity and convenience, ensuring that our customers enjoy the highest standards of service and reliability across the globe. We look forward to restarting Delta’s direct service from the U.S. to India in the near future.”
Benjamin Smith, CEO of Air France-KLM, added:
We are very glad to extend our existing partnership with IndiGo and to do so alongside our partners Delta and Virgin Atlantic. India is a strategic market for Air France-KLM, where we have a strong and historic presence soon to increase. We look forward to welcoming IndiGo customers on our flights and to play an active role in the country’s connectivity.”
Shai Weiss, CEO of Virgin Atlantic, said:
In our 25th year of flying to India, we’re delighted to build on our Joint Venture with Delta and Air France-KLM, and our successful codeshare with IndiGo, by going further with this partnership. As IndiGo starts long haul operations, we’ll connect four of the world’s largest economies, enhancing the travel experience for our guests, from greater connectivity and optimized flight times to loyalty benefits.”
Anthony’s Take: This partnership will open lots of destinations to both IndiGo and passengers of the partner airlines. Delta flew to India between 2006 and 2009. Service returned in 2019 and was pulled again due to the pandemic. No firm date has been set, but it’s assumed Delta will resume in 2026.
(Image Credit: Delta Air Lines.)
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