Air France, KLM and Delta have officially launched a joint venture on services the three airlines operate across the Atlantic. The carriers argue that the agreement will result in “more choices, frequencies, convenient flight schedules, competitive fares and harmonised services on all transatlantic flights” for their passengers.

The airlines will coordinate their operations and share both revenues and costs.

The three airlines operate 200 flights a day across the Atlantic between them, offering around a quarter of all seats in the market. Joint operations will focus mainly on Amsterdam, Atlanta, Detroit, Minneapolis, New York-JFK and Paris-CDG. The airlines will combine the three brands at all North American and European airports where they operate.

Pierre-Henri Gourgeon, president and CEO of Air France KLM, said: "This strategic partnership puts us in a good position compared with other major alliances, which are extremely active on the world's leading long-haul market. By integrating our trans-Atlantic operations, we will give our passengers what they desire: more choice, more frequencies, more convenient flight schedules and superior customer services."