Fliers get more choices for trips to Europe

0 Comments | USA TODAY, October, 2007 | by Barbara De Lollis

Delta Air Lines and Air France today will announce a far-reaching cooperative agreement that will give U.S. passengers new flight choices to Europe.

The arrangement, to be announced in Paris, represents the most significant move to date by a U.S. carrier to exploit the Open Skies agreement signed earlier this year. Starting in March, Open Skies allows airlines from the USA and the European Union to fly from anywhere to anywhere across the Atlantic.

Under the airlines' deal, Atlanta-based Delta will use some of Air France's takeoff and landing slots to gain immediate access to London Heathrow. The airport is a favorite among high-paying U.S. business travelers and is the busiest European gateway to the rest of the continent, the Middle East and Asia. Delta will...