Air France and Delta Air Lines have announced the signing of an agreement to partner over certain transatlantic routes once next year’s open skies pact comes into effect.

The two airlines will shares costs and revenues under the deal, which is set to result in more options for travellers looking to fly from London to the USA, they announced today.

All of the carriers’ transatlantic flights are affected by the agreement, including those between Heathrow Airport and the USA, which will be operated on a codeshare basis.

From 2010, services between all European, Mediterranean and North American destinations will fall within the agreement’s remit.

“This agreement marks an unprecedented move to offer our customers a greater choice of routes and schedules,” commented Jean-Cyril Spinetta of Air France and Richard Anderson of Delta.

“Together, we will be able to provide our customers with an outstanding transatlantic service, both in terms of routes, capacity, frequencies and quality of service.”

The US-Europe open skies agreement will come into effect in March 2008, opening up transatlantic routes to all airlines based within the USA and the European Union.

– justtheflight.co.uk