Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian has sharply criticized plans to separate the carrier from its joint venture partner Virgin Atlantic at London Heathrow Airport. In a LinkedIn post, Bastian described the proposals as “short-sighted, deeply disappointing and bad for airline consumers.”
The intervention marks a major escalation in the dispute over Heathrow’s future terminal arrangements. It follows a series of strongly worded statements from Virgin Atlantic executives and the airline’s founder, Sir Richard Branson.
Under the proposals, Delta would relocate from Terminal 3 to Terminal 4 in 2028. The move would end its arrangement alongside Virgin Atlantic, which is set to remain at Terminal 3.
“For more than a decade, our airlines have served millions of customers through our co-located operation in Terminal 3, offering travelers convenient connections, premium amenities and access to an expanded global network,” Bastian wrote.
“Separating our oper
