Is Virgin Atlantic owned by Delta?

The airline along with Virgin Holidays is controlled by a holding company, Virgin Atlantic Limited, which is 51% owned by the Virgin Group and 49% by Delta Air Lines. It is administratively separate from other Virgin-branded airlines.



Virgin Atlantic is not fully owned by Delta Air Lines, but Delta is a major stakeholder. In 2026, the airline is owned by a joint venture: 49% is owned by Delta Air Lines, and the remaining 51% is owned by the Virgin Group (Sir Richard Branson's conglomerate). Previously, there was a plan for Air France-KLM to buy a 31% stake from Branson, but that deal was scrapped in late 2019, leaving Branson with his majority control. While Delta does not "own" the company, the two airlines operate in a "Joint Venture" partnership, meaning they coordinate on schedules, pricing, and frequent flyer benefits for transatlantic flights. This is why you see such a heavy Delta presence at Virgin's London Heathrow hub and why SkyMiles and Virgin Points are often interchangeable. Administratively, however, Virgin Atlantic remains its own separate brand with its own distinct British corporate identity and leadership.

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