Delta’s Acquisition of 49% of Virgin Atlantic in Connection with Joint Venture

On December 11, 2012, Delta Air Lines and Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd. reached an agreement for a new joint venture that will create an expanded trans-Atlantic network and enhance competition between the U.K. and North America, offering greater benefits for customers traveling on those routes. Cravath represented Delta in connection with this transaction.

As part of this joint venture agreement, Delta will invest $360 million in Virgin Atlantic, acquiring a 49 percent stake currently held by Singapore Airlines. Virgin Group and Sir Richard Branson will retain the majority 51 percent stake and Virgin Atlantic Airways will retain its brand and operating certificate. The share purchase and the joint venture are expected to be implemented by the end of 2013.

The Cravath team included partner George F. Schoen and associate Benjamin G. Joseloff on corporate matters; partners Christine A. Varney and Yonatan Even and associate Margaret T. Segall on antitrust matters; and partners Stephen L. Gordon and Lauren Angelilli and associate Andrew Carlon on tax matters. Stephen R. Severo also worked on tax matters.