Virgin Atlantic relies on Delta for Chicago, Newark and Detroit routes

Virgin Atlantic grew its transatlantic business by flying its own aircraft out of London Heathrow and London Gatwick against established carriers. At several large US gateways, it no longer does.

Passengers flying to Chicago O'Hare, Newark Liberty or Detroit Metropolitan are more likely to board a Delta Air Lines aircraft than a Virgin Atlantic widebody. The three destinations sit within the two carriers' joint venture rather than under Virgin Atlantic's own flights.

That sits oddly with an airline whose brand has long been tied to the sight of its own red-tailed jets on transatlantic routes.