On April 30, 1978, Delta Air Lines embarked on its maiden transatlantic flight from Atlanta (ATL) to London-Gatwick (LGW), utilizing a Lockheed L-1011 trimotor aircraft. This marked the onset of the company’s international expansion, which has since evolved Delta into one of the largest global airlines, boasting a network that spans every continent.
In 1978, Delta’s fleet operating out of London offered a three-class cabin configuration: First Class, Medallion Service (business class), and Economy Class. Today, their UK services have diversified with up to four distinct product offerings, including Delta One, providing passengers with superior seating and an upgraded dining experience.
As a pioneer in in-flight entertainment, Delta screened the movie «Oh, God!» featuring George Burns and John Denver on its inaugural Atlantic flight. Fast forward to today, the airline equips all its widebody aircraft with entertainment screens and offers a rich selection of television programs, movies, and audio, along with Wi-Fi access on all flights.
Reflecting on their journey, Delta acknowledged, «London was more than a first. It set the stage for our emergence as a major international airline.»
Since its initial presence, Delta’s footprint in the U.K. has substantially expanded over four decades. Recently, with the reactivation of the Los Angeles (LAX) to London-Heathrow (LHR) route, Delta’s 2023 summer schedule will accommodate nearly 40 daily flights to London-Gatwick (LGW), London-Heathrow (LHR), Manchester (MAN), and Edinburgh (EDI). This extensive network is in collaboration with their partner, Virgin Atlantic.
Delta’s U.K. Summer Schedule for 2023
Delta’s seat offering between the U.S. and U.K. will reach 50,163, as per Cirium’s data.
Detailed flight schedules for major destinations are as follows:
London – Heathrow (LHR)
- Atlanta (ATL): Twice daily on Boeing 767-400ER.
- Boston (BOS): Daily flights on Boeing 767-400ER.
- Detroit (DTW): 12 times a week on Airbus A330-200.
- New York (JFK): Twice daily on Boeing 767-400ER and Airbus A330-900.
- Los Angeles (LAX): Daily flights on Airbus A330-900.
- Minneapolis/St. Paul (MSP): Daily flights on Airbus A330-200.
- Seattle – Tacoma (SEA): Daily flights on Airbus A330-300.
- Salt Lake City (SLC): Daily flights on Airbus A330-900.
London – Gatwick (LGW)</h5
- New York (JFK): Daily flights on Boeing 767-300ER.
Edinburgh (EDI)
- Atlanta (ATL): Daily flights on Boeing 767-300ER.
- Boston (BOS): Daily flights on Boeing 767-300ER.
- New York (JFK): Daily flights on Boeing 767-300ER.
Related: Delta Adjusts Tokyo Flights Amid Low Demand
Delta Air Lines’ transatlantic service to the United Kingdom has come a long way since its inception 45 years ago. With an ever-expanding network and a keen focus on enhancing passenger experience, the airline continues to maintain its position as a major international carrier.
