Delta vows to challenge Heathrow move away from Virgin Atlantic

Delta Air Lines chief executive Ed Bastian has said the airline will challenge a Heathrow decision to move it from Terminal 3 to Terminal 4 in 2028, a change that would separate it from joint venture partner Virgin Atlantic, which would stay in Terminal 3. According to AirlineGeeks, Bastian made the comments on Monday on LinkedIn, and they were published by Delta.

Delta's objection

Bastian called the decision "short-sighted, deeply disappointing and bad for airline consumers", according to AirlineGeeks. He said the two airlines' shared operation has served millions of passengers for more than a decade, offering connections, premium amenities and access to their combined networks. He argued that a split would undermine years of investment and the benefits of sharing a terminal.

Delta will "pursue all available remedies to correct this decision", he said, and he urged Heathrow to reconsider. AirlineGeeks notes that Bastian did not set out any specific legal or regulatory steps.

Virgin Atlantic and Heathrow respond

Virgin Atlantic has also challenged the plan. AirlineGeeks reports that chief executive Corneel Koster said separating the airlines would complicate journeys, weaken competition and reduce passenger choice. Citing Sky News, it says the carrier is considering its options for contesting the relocation.

Heathrow says the changes will ease congestion and make better use of its terminals. The airport began telling airlines the outcome of its terminal occupancy review on 27 October. A Heathrow spokesperson told Sky News that the plan followed consultation with airline customers and would improve the passenger experience, strengthen operational resilience and provide room for growth.

Other airlines affected

Delta is one of five airlines due to change terminals, according to AirlineGeeks. Finnair and Japan Airlines would also move from Terminal 3 to Terminal 4, while LATAM would go from Terminal 3 to Terminal 2. China Southern would move from Terminal 4 to Terminal 5.

Delta moved its Heathrow operation into Terminal 3 in September 2016 to sit alongside Virgin Atlantic. At the time, it cited easier connections and last-minute flight changes, plus access to Virgin Atlantic's premium facilities for eligible passengers.

What this means for travellers

Nothing changes immediately: the move is planned for 2028, and both Delta and Virgin Atlantic are contesting it. If it goes ahead as announced, passengers connecting between the two airlines would no longer be able to do so within one terminal, which was the benefit Delta highlighted when it moved in 2016. The sources do not say how connections, codeshares, lounge access or loyalty benefits would be handled after a split, and it is not yet known whether the challenges will succeed. Travellers booking trips for 2028 or later on either airline may wish to watch for updates.

Finnair and Japan Airlines passengers would see their airlines move to Terminal 4, though the sources give no further detail on the effect.

Sources: AirlineGeeks